June 11, 2017

Johns Creek, Ga. – Recent UVA graduate Jimmy Stanger (Tampa, Fla.), helped the United States reclaim the Arnold Palmer Cup during a three-day event that wrapped up Sunday at Atlanta Athletic Club by defeating Europe 19.5-11.5. The two sides halved the final day’s singles matches, 5-5. The United States now leads the all-time series 11-9-1.

The Arnold Palmer Cup is an annual Ryder Cup-style competition between American college golfers and European college/university golfers.

Stanger and teammate John Coulas picked up early points for the U.S. on Friday during the morning’s foursome matches. They defeated Viktor Hovland and Kristoffer Ventura 6 and 5. That helped the U.S. jump out to a 3.5 to 1.5 lead. In the afternoon session, the European duo came back to post a win against Stanger and Coulas in the four-ball event. By the time the first day had ended, the European team had pulled even with the American at 5 and 5.

On Saturday the United States dominated the singles matches, claiming 9.5 of the 10 points at stake. Stanger posted a 3 and 2 victory against Harry Ellis to help the American squad take a commanding 14.5 to 5.5 lead and needing just one win on Sunday to clinch the championship.

Stanger lost to Hovland 3 and 2 during Sunday’s final singles matches.

Stanger was the ACC’s 2017 individual champion and became the first PING first-team All-American in UVA’s history.

It marked the second consecutive year a Cavalier golfer participated in the Palmer Cup. Derek Bard was a member of the U.S. team in 2016.