North Carolina State University Athletics
Choi Joins Nation's Elite at All-America Golf Classic
10/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Oct. 20, 2011
EL PASO, Texas - NC State sophomore Albin Choi is included among over two dozen of the nation's top collegiate golfers who will make their way to El Paso to take part in the 2011 Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic on Nov. 20-22 at the El Paso Country Club.
Choi earned All-American status last season after a very successful freshman campaign that earned him high marks as one of the top-five first-year players in the nation by both Golfweek and the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation.
He was named an All-American by both PING and Golfweek, as well as being selected unanimously the 2011 ACC Freshman of the Year.
Teammate and fellow Canadian Mitchell Sutton was also expected to participate in this event, but an injury in early October has erased his availability of playing the remainder of the fall.


"Western Refining is proud to team with the Sun Bowl Association in welcoming the nation's finest college golfers to El Paso," said Jeff Stevens, Western Refining CEO. "It is an honor to host one of the most prestigious college golf tournaments in the country. The quality of this year's field is a testament to the hospitality of El Paso and the reputation of this event."
The field includes seven of the top 11 amateur golfers in the world, according to the R&A World Amateur Golf Rankings. Choi comes in 63 in the latest ranking.
Throughout the years, many Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic competitors have gone on to pursue successful careers in the Professional Golfers' Association of America and on the PGA Tour. Some of the past champions include Webb Simpson (2007), Ricky Barnes (2000), Notah Begay (1994), David Duval (1991), Matt Kuchar (1999), Davis Love III (1984), Chris Nallen (2003), Jerry Pate (1974), Nicholas Thompson (2004) and Tiger Woods (1995).
Alumni of the Golf Classic have gone on to earn more than $1.4 billion and win 561 events on the PGA Tour. 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 MST):
Sunday, Nov. 20

Titleist Long Drive Contest (9 a.m.)

PING Putting Contest (10 a.m.)

Practice round (noon)
Monday, Nov. 21

First and second rounds, 36 holes (8 a.m.)
Tuesday, Nov. 22

Final round, 18 holes (8 a.m.)

Trophy presentation (following final round, approximately 1 p.m.)
