North America Cup Team Released

Team USA Announced for Premier Junior Match Play Event

The Tenth North America Cup will be hosted at Oldfield Golf Club July 1-4. The annual competition which pits a team of 14 Canadian junior golfers against 14 American junior golfers has alternated between the two home countries each of the last ten years. The American team has dominated recently winning the past four Cups and holds a 7-2 overall record.

Each team consists of fourteen players separated into three age divisions – four boys 14 years old and younger, eight boys 15 years old to 19 years old, and two girls 19 years old and younger.

2012 Team USA Participants

Joshua Allen – Wilson, NC

Joshua played in five IJGT events and finished with his own version of a sweep by finishing fifth, fourth, third, second, and first. He was runner-up at Kiawah Island which will host the 2012 PGA Championship and his win came in January at Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club.

Zachary Boe – Bluffton, SC

This will be Zach’s second appearance at the North America Cup. This past season Zach had two top ten IJGT finishes which included 4^th place at the KENTWOOL Socks Open held at Oyster Reef Golf Club in late April and a 9^th place finish at the IJGT Tournament of Champions in Orlando at the end of May.

Steve Cerbara – Yardley, PA

Steve was a member of Team USA during the 2011 North America Cup victory in Ontario, Canada. Steve finished this past IJGT season with a win in the fall at Penn State University. He also added an 11^th place finish at the IJGT Tournament of Champions in May. 

Ben Dietrich – Bluffton, SC

Ben will also participate for the second time following up on his 2010 North America Cup appearance.  This past season he won the IJGT event at Saddlebrook Resort near Tampa in the fall and the AJGA Junior at Savannah Quarters in the early spring. Ben will graduate in 2013 and will attend the University of South Carolina on a golf scholarship.

John Edler – Fair Haven, NJ

John played in three IJGT regular season events and placed top ten in all of them. He had a pair of strong performances at Architects Golf Club finishing third in the fall and ninth in the spring. He also traveled to Hilton Head for the prestigious Hank Haney Invitational at Sea Pines Resort in December and tied for second.

Josh Fisher – Las Vegas, NV

Josh received a special exemption into the IJGT Tournament of Champions in Orlando for his strong performance in last summer’s AJGA Las Vegas Junior Open. He took advantage of the opportunity and tied for second in Orlando. Josh was making a hard charge at the leader during the final round before storms rolled in and forced the day’s play to be washed out.

Mark Folkwein – New Albany, OH

Mark spaced out two wins this past season with his first coming in October at Hilton Head Lakes and his second in April at Saddlebrook Resort. He also mixed in thirteen top ten finishes. Mark will go to play for George Mason University this coming fall.

Olivia Landino – Hermitage, PA

Olivia played in three regular IJGT season events and placed top five in all of them. Her best finish was second at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in April and she also had a third and fourth in the two Hershey Country Club events. This will be the second straight year that Olivia competes on Team USA.

Austin Morrison – Charlotte, NC

Austin highlighted his IJGT season with a dominating victory in late April at the KENTWOOL Socks Open at Oyster Reef. With a hot putter he was able to take the first round lead with an impressive 3-under par 69 on a windy day. He cruised his way to victory on Sunday for his first win on our tour.

Chase Roswall – Bristol, TN

Chase came to the IJGT this season with a couple of impressive victories more local to his hometown in Tennessee. He quickly established recognition by winning his first two events. He then captured his third title in April at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort highlighted by his opening round 69.

Frank Szucs – Brookside, NJ

Frank returns to Team USA again looking for another strong performance. He played in three IJGT events this season finishing with two top fives including a win in October at Penn State University. Frank will be the most veteran member of Team USA this summer and looks to thrive in a leadership role amongst his fellow golfers.

Will Thomson – Pittsford, NY

Will is the youngest member of Team USA this year. He competed in seven IJGT events this spring highlighted by two runner-up finishes and one victory. His win came near his hometown in Upstate New York where he closed the tournament going two-under in his final five holes for the champion honors.

Derrick Villarreal – Hartland, WI

Derrick will join Team USA this year as a veteran North America Cup participant. He had another busy season this year highlighted by a top three finish at the Las Vegas Junior in March and a tie for fifth at the IJGT Tournament of Champions in Orlando at the end of May.

Gabby Weiss – Southern Pines, NC

Gabby makes her second North America Cup appearance following her strong showing in the 2009 event which took place in Ontario. She hopes to be a part of another Team USA girls duo to sweep all points in her division through the event.

2012 Team USA Sponsors

Stitch Designs is a local clothing and embroidery shop in Hilton Head Island, SC, which has been a consistent and reliable vendor to the International Junior Golf Tour and Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy. Each Team USA member will receive their own Team USA Ping golf bag that has been embroidered with the player’s name and hometown courtesy of Stitch Designs.

Pure Grips  is an innovative golf grip manufacturer known for their custom designs, personalized products and easy installation. Pure Grips will provide each Team USA member with a set of patriotic grips emblazoned with the player’s name.

KENTWOOL Socks is best known for their 2012 Masters Tournament design that was proudly worn by Bubba Watson during his dramatic playoff victory. This new line of footwear is comfortable and perfectly suited for the avid golfer. Each Team USA member will receive a pair of KENTWOOL Socks.

AB Golf Designs is the market leader in golf head covers. Formerly known as Butthead Covers for their flagship product, AB Golf Designs has increased their catalog to meet all golfers’ needs. Each Team USA member will receive a patriotic head cover from AB Golf Designs.

Puma is one of the most recognized names in golf over the past few years. Since Rickie Fowler first adorned his orange suit on Sundays, Puma has been at the top of the game. Each Team USA member will receive four Puma polos to wear during the 2012 North America Cup.

Bridgestone Golf is quickly becoming a mainstay on the PGA Tour. Their ball-fitting capabilities are widely accepted as beneficial to all levels of play from local municipals to touring pros. Bridgestone is the proud partner of the International Junior Golf Tour. Each Team USA member will receive one dozen Bridgestone Golf Balls.

MVP SPORT boasts a fun and colorful line of customizable alignment rods. This product, called MorodZ, serves many different golf courses, organizations and training centers. MorodZ are key for the competitive golfer to have efficient and productive practice sessions on the lesson tee and practice green. MVP SPORT will be donating one set of customized patriotic alignment rods to each member of Team USA.