McCarthy and Rusch Complete Play at Jones Cup

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Sea Island, GA – Two current members of the Virginia men’s golf team and one former player wrapped up competition today at the 2012 Jones Cup Invitational. Considered one of the nation’s top amateur championships, The Jones Cup was held at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Sea Island, Ga.

Freshman Denny McCarthy was Virginia’s top finisher. He turned in a three-day total of 11-over 227 to tie for 27th place. McCarthy had rounds of 79, 74 and 74. Cavalier junior Ben Rusch was 62nd at 236. He shot 81, 75 and 80.

Former Virginia golfer Will Collins was 32nd at 228. He posted scores of 78, 76 and 74.

Alabama freshman Justin Thomas won the event at even par 216. He started the day fie shots behind UCLA sophomore Manav Shah, but used a final-round 69 to claim the title.

First contested in 2001, Jones Cup began as an opportunity to celebrate not only the game of golf, but also the camaraderie and fellowship associated with it. This 54-hole individual stroke-play event is played at Ocean Forest Golf Club. The Rees Jones design opened in 1995 and has hosted the 1998 Georgia State Amateur Championship, the 1999 Southern Amateur Championship and the 2001 Walker Cup Match.

The Jones Cup brings together many of the finest amateurs from the United States and abroad for this three-day competition. While the golf course proves to be a great venue for this unique event, the Jones Cup’s success and popularity can be attributed to the strength of the players who comprise its field. Past participants range from current and future PGA Tour stars Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, Lucas Glover, Dustin Johnson, Chris Kirk, Jeff Overton, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson and Gary Woodland as well as Past Champions DJ Trahan, Gregg Jones, Nicholas Thompson, Luke List, Kyle Stanley, Patrick Reed and John Peterson.

Virginia opens the spring portion of its schedule March 5 at The Palmetto in Aiken, S.C.