PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Johnson & Wales University bids for its third consecutive title in the 19th National Minority College Golf Championship, May 6-8, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. PGA Golf Club is marking its eighth consecutive year of hosting the national championship.
The championship field features some 100 top student-athletes from around the world, comprising 19 colleges and universities. The championship commences with an opening ceremony, May 5, followed by a Career Fair, which presents student-athletes the opportunity to learn more about employment opportunities within the golf industry. The 54-hole, stroke-play competition follows on the North Course, from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 8.
Johnson & Wales University, last year's Division I champion, graduated Michael Welch of Quincy, Mass., and Diego Besga of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who finished a respective third and fourth in 2004, and first and second in 2003.
"Despite the loss of Welch and Besga, I feel we have our best team ever, as the guys do not get intimidated by other teams, and set a goal for each round to score as best they can," said Wildcats Coach David Adamonis. "They are playing exceptionally well this year, and look at defending the title as a challenge, without any added pressure."
The Wildcats have won six tournaments this season and are led by juniors Adam Scrimenti of Sarasota, Fla., 2004 Division I individual winner; James Renner of Plainville, Mass.; John Stoltz of Otisville, N.Y.; and Erik Easton of Granby, Conn. Completing the roster are sophomores Luigi Cargiulo of Panama City, Panama, who finished 11th in 2004; and Bill Maguire of Kingston, R.I.
Scimenti has also been strong for the Wildcats with his three victories so far this season at the Mobile Ram Invitational, the Fore Magazine All-South and the FIT Panther Invitational. He enters the Championship with a 71.16 scoring average, finishing in the top-10 in 11 out of the past 12 tournaments.
Also returning to PGA Golf Club will be the two-time defending Women's Division Champion Lady Broncs of the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburgh, Texas. They are led by junior Stefanie Maynard of Pflugerville, Texas, who will attempt to win her third consecutive women's division individual title and has a 77.6 stroke average. Joining Maynard will be senior Crystal Frazier of Coolidge, Texas; juniors Nicole Boychuk of Conroe, Texas and Daniela Cortes of Aguascalientes, Mexico; and sophomore Elizabeth Rodriguez of Kingwood, Texas. The Lady Broncs have won two tournaments this season and currently maintain the highest cumulative grade point average on campus, with a combined 3.44.
The National Minority College Golf Championship is co-sponsored by The PGA of America and the National Minority College Golf Scholarship Fund of Cleveland.
