DUBLIN, Ohio -- Jim Furyk, who was a big part of the United States reclaiming the Ryder Cup last year, proved that the "team" aspect of golf's most compelling event also carries over when it involves family and a donation to benefit aspiring PGA Professionals.

Furyk, a graduate of the University of Arizona, presented a check for $45,000 to the Play Golf America University program at The Ohio State University, his wife Tabitha's alma mater. Furyk had earlier made a similar donation to Arizona through his competing on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

"On behalf of Tabitha, who is from Columbus and attended Ohio State, it's a pleasure to be able to give back to the university in helping grow the game of golf," said Furyk, who is competing this week in The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. "Just as my alma mater (University of Arizona) is dear to me, Ohio State is close to Tabitha's heart and we each remember how much our respective schools helped us and how this program can benefit so many others.

"It's a neat program by The PGA and Ryder Cup to be able to donate so much money in our names to a PGA program within those universities. It's a lot of fun. The Ryder Cup is my favorite event. I look forward to it more than anything in the world. And on top of it, having the ability to make a difference in your community and to universities that we both attended is a lot of fun."

Since 1999, a total of 130 player-designated charities and 38 colleges and universities have received funding for the Play Golf America University program amounting to $13 million donated on behalf of the Ryder Cup team and Captain.

"The Play Golf America University program has overwhelmingly grown overnight and this contribution from Jim Furyk will be an incredible asset to help more students enroll in the program," said Kelly Trent, LPGA Professional and coordinator of the program that began in the fall of 2008 at The Ohio State University. "We have had a waiting list of 100-plus students each quarter and this will enable us to hire more instructors and conduct more programs for those students on the waiting list enabling us to introduce the game to many more new players."

Joining Trent and Furyk at the ceremony was Cheryl Achterberg, dean of the college of education and human ecology at The Ohio State University, which hosts the Play Golf America University program curriculum at The Ohio State University; and PGA Professionals Steve Groves and John Newkirk, the respective vice president and executive director of the Southern Ohio PGA Section.

Ryder Cup and Play Golf America University
Play Golf America University is a PGA of America college and university golf program, designed to teach and engage students in the game of golf through PGA Professional instruction and other golf programs. Since its conception, The PGA of America has distributed $7.3 million to 76 participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, including $6.1 million on behalf of members of the U.S. Ryder Cup Teams as a means to support this initiative. Through 2007, PGA Professionals have provided instruction to more than 24,000 college students through Play Golf America University.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.