Ancer Named to College All-America Golf Classic Field

Oct. 21, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. - University of Oklahoma junior golfer Abraham Ancer has been selected to participate in the 2011 Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.

Ancer will compete with more than two dozen of the world's elite amateur golfers in the prestigious Nov. 20-22 event at the 6,781-yard, par-71 El Paso Country Club in El Paso, Texas.

"I feel very lucky for being selected to play this tournament," said Ancer. "Not many college golfers get to participate in this event, and I feel very honored."

Seven members of the field can be found in the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings top 11. They are Texas' Jordan Spieth, Washington's Chris Williams, Texas A&M's Jordan Russell, Arkansas Sebastian Cappelen, Stanford's Andrew Yun, San Diego State's J.J. Spaun and Illinois Luke Guthrie.

"Playing against the best amateur golfers in the world is going to be a great experience," said Ancer. "I look forward to seeing how I match up with them."

Ancer began his collegiate career at Odessa Junior College in Odessa, Texas. There he received multiple national accolades, including first-team All-America honors, the Jack Nicklaus Award (junior college player of the year) and the Phil Mickelson Award (nation's best junior college freshman).

Since his arrival at Oklahoma, Ancer has been nothing short of spectacular for the Sooners. The Mission, Texas, product boasts a 71.86 average through 17 events with OU. Ancer has earned medalist honors twice as a Sooner: at last year's Desert Shootout and at the NCAA East Regional. At the Desert Shootout, Ancer's three-round 195 (-21) shattered the OU record by eight strokes, a mark formerly held by Anthony Kim.

This season, Ancer has competed in each of the team's four tournaments. He boasts a 71.33 average and three top-10 finishes season, including a tie for fifth place at the Mark Simpson Colorado Invite.

Third-year OU head coach Ryan Hybl recognizes his leadership and contribution to the team.

"Abe has been a great leader for us since he stepped foot on campus," said Hybl. "He was our first All-American since Anthony Kim. That right there says a lot."

Hybl also praises his golfer's attitude and work ethic in the classroom.

"Even more importantly, his contribution in the classroom is great," said Hybl. "He truly cares about his grades and excelling in the classroom. I wish I had five Abe Ancers."

The Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic is one of the oldest collegiate golf events in the nation and is ranked "the No. 1 tournament in college golf" by the Sagarin/Golfweek Performance Index. Alumni of the Golf Classic have gone on to earn more than $1.4 billion and win 561 events on the PGA Tour.

Past champions of the Golf Classic include Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), Chris Nallen (2003), Jerry Pate (1974), Webb Simpson (2007), Nicholas Thompson (2004) and Tiger Woods (1995).

In all, 144 colleges and universities have participated in the tournament, raising almost $700,000 in scholarship money for the participating institutions.

Each university represented by the Western Refining College All-Americans will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Following is a schedule of events (times are CST):

Sunday, Nov. 20
Titleist Long Drive Contest (10 a.m.)
PING Putting Contest (11 a.m.)
Practice round (1 p.m.)

Monday, Nov. 21
First and second rounds, 36 holes (9 a.m.)

Tuesday, Nov. 22
Final round, 18 holes (9 a.m.)
Trophy presentation (following final round, approximately 2 p.m.)

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Ancer Named to College All-America Golf Classic Field

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