April 25, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina assistant men’s golf coach Michael Burcin will serve as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2011 Palmer Cup, which takes place in Greenwich, Conn., in June.

“Being selected to the coaching staff for the U.S. Palmer Cup team is an indescribable honor,” Burcin said. “The opportunity to represent the United States while being surrounded by some of the top amateur golfers in the world will be a terrific experience. I look forward to representing my country and the University of South Carolina.”

Burcin, in his seventh year at South Carolina, was named the Golf Coaches Association of America’s National Assistant Coach of the Year following the 2010 season. He also serves as the Assistant Coach Representative for the GCAA’s National Advisory Board.

The Palmer Cup is a Ryder Cup-style competition as teams of collegiate golfers from the United States and Europe square off in a three-day match play event. This will be the 15th edition of the competition, as the United States leads the series 7-6-1.

Teams for both sides were named last week. Representing the United States will be Blayne Barber (Auburn), Patrick Cantlay (UCLA), Alex Carpenter (Abilene Christian), Russell Henley (Georgia), Daniel Miernicki (Oregon), Bank Vongvanij (Florida), Chris Williams (Washington) and Andrew Yun (Stanford). Tim Poe, head coach at the University of Central Missouri, will serve as the team’s head coach.

Playing for Team Europe will be Sebastian Cappelen (Arkansas), Ignacio Elvira (Texas A&M), Nils Floren (Texas Tech), Jeff Karlsson (Kennesaw State), Robert Karlsson (Liberty), Nick MacAndrew (Aberdeen), Henrik Norlander (Augusta State) and Pontus Widegren (UCLA). The European side will be coached by Rickard Lindberg of the Swedish Golf Federation with Northwestern’s David Inglis as the assistant.

Team USA will attempt to defend the cup June 9-11 at The Stanwich Club. Last year, the Americans defeated Europe 13-11 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland.