Indiana University Athletics
Overton Selected to Walker Cup Team
7/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 19, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Former IU men's golf All-American Jeff Overton has been selected as part of the 10-man squad to represent the United States team for the Walker Cup Match that will be played Aug. 13-14 at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Ill. Chosen by the International Team Selection Committee of United States Golf Association, the squad will face an amateur team representing Great Britain and Ireland.
"This is the highest honor in amateur golf, and we are extremely proud of Jeff's selection to this prestigious team," Indiana head coach Mike Mayer said. "There is no bigger honor, nor is there someone more worthy than Jeff Overton. He is Indiana golf and to have him represent the United States is a great, great achievement."
Overton will become the second Hoosier to participate in the Walker Cup, joining former All-American Randy Leen, a member of the 1997 team. In June, Overton represented the U.S. at the Palmer Cup, earning 2 1/2 points for the victorious United States team.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year completed his career as one of the most storied golfers in the history of the Indiana golf program. He is the only Hoosier golfer to ever card a single-season scoring average under 70 with 69.97 this past season, and his career average of 71.72 bested Leen's 73.49 mark for the top spot in school history. Overton won eight career tournaments, including this year's Big Ten medalist honors, becoming the first IU player since Shaun Micheel in 1991 to win the Big Ten title.
For the second straight year, the Evansville, Ind., native was named Big Ten Player of the Year, becoming the first Hoosier since Leen (1996-98) to garner the award in consecutive seasons. Overton also won the Les Bolstad Award for low season stroke average for the second time in as many years. And for the fourth consecutive season, Overton was named to the All-Big Ten team, claiming first team honors for the third time in his career.
The Walker Cup Match consists of 16 singles and eight foursomes (alternate shot) matches. Great Britain and Ireland's team has won the last three Matches, in 1999, 2001 and 2003; twice by scores of 15-9 and by 121&Mac218;2 -111&Mac218;2 in 2003. The USA leads the series overall, 31-7-1.
Joining Overton on the team are three golfers who competed in the 2005 U.S. Open, including Matthew Every, 22, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; Michael Putnam, 22, of Tacoma, Wash.; and Lee Williams, 24, of Alexander City, Ala.
Additionally, they are joined on the team by Anthony Kim, 20, of La Quinta, Calif.; Brian Harman, 18, of Savannah, Ga.; John Holmes, 23, of Campbellsville, Ky.; Billy Hurley, 23, of Leesburg, Va.; Kyle Reifers, 22, of Dublin, Ohio; and Nicholas Thompson, 22, of Coral Springs, Fla. The top two alternates, in order, are Luke List, 20, of Ringgold, Ga., and Ryan Blaum, 21, of Coral Gables, Fla.
Bob Lewis, 61, of Pepper Pike, Ohio, who played on four winning Walker Cup teams from 1981 through 1987, will serve as team captain. He also was captain of the 2003 team. Lewis is president and chief operating officer of Welded Tubes, Inc., a manufacturer of welded steel tubing, a company founded by his father in 1958.
"I am really excited about this group," said Lewis. "They have a lot of talent and I look forward to going to bat with these guys. I want them to have a good experience. I give the committee a lot of credit for its selections."
The GB&I team is led by veterans Nigel Edwards of Wales and England's Gary Wolstenholme. Sixteen-year-old Oliver Fisher of England will be the youngest to play for either side.
Daily tickets are $35 and can be reserved by calling the ticket office at (630) 949-3219. The Golf Channel will air live coverage from 11-1 p.m. on Saturday and from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday (EDT). For more information, visit the official Walker Cup Match site at www.walkercup.org.
