Gator Country

Former UF men's golf standout, and 2006 United States Ryder Cup Team member, Chris DiMarco has designated his alma mater as the recipient of a $100,000 donation as part of the Golf: For Business and Life program. The donation is a portion of $1.3 million that the PGA of America will donate to 19 colleges and universities nationwide on behalf of U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman and his players.

DiMarco, a three-time All-American and the 1989 Southeastern Conference individual champion, will be competing in his second Ryder Cup, after going 2-1-1 and scoring 2.5 points for the U.S. in the 2004 tournament at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield, Mich. He is the 10th Gator golfer to play in the Ryder Cup.

The Altamonte Springs, Fla., native finished his collegiate career with seven victories, ranking him second in UF history, and a career stroke average of 73.12, which ranks seventh on the all-time school list. His five individual titles in 1990 remain a single-season Florida record.

Taught by PGA Professionals, Golf: For Business and Life offers UF juniors, seniors and graduate students the opportunity to learn the basics of the golf swing, etiquette and how to use golf as a business tool. Since its inception in 1999, more than 22,000 students nationwide have participated in the program, and initial surveys have revealed that 95 percent of those participants indicated they would continue to play golf after graduation. With this latest contribution, the program is being offered at 59 colleges and universities across the country.

“As we cheer on our U.S. Ryder Cup Team in the most compelling competition in golf, we also are celebrating the difference that these players make to both supporting the future of the game,” PGA of America President Roger Warren said. “The Ryder Cup Outreach Program has served many communities, colleges and universities as a premier growth-of-the-game initiative.”

Celebrating its 90th anniversary, the PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

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