July 22, 2005

Far Hills, N.J. - Three-time Pepperdine All-American and 2005 NCAA-runner-up Michael Putnam was one of 10 players selected to represent the United States at this year's Walker Cup Match that will played August 13-14 at Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois, the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced earlier this week.

Chosen by the International Team Selection Committee of the USGA, the squad will face amateur teams representing Great Britain and Ireland.

The Walker Cup Match consists of 16 singles and eight foursomes (alternate shot) matches. Great Britain and Ireland's team has won the last three Matches, in 1999, 2001 and 2003; twice by scores of 15-9 and by 12½ -11½ in 2003. The USA leads the series overall, 31-7-1.

Putnam, who concluded a four-year collegiate career in which he became one of the most decorated student-athletes in Pepperdine history, is joined on the team by Matthew Every, 22, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; Lee Williams, 23, of Alexander City, Ala; Anthony Kim, 20, of La Quinta, Calif.; Brian Harman, 18, of Savannah, Ga.; John Holmes, 23, of Campbellsville, Ky.; Billy Hurley, 23, of Leesburg, Va.; Jeff Overton, 22, of Evansville, Ind.; Kyle Reifers, 22, of Dublin, Ohio; and Nicholas Thompson, 22, of Coral Springs, Fla. The top two alternates, in order, are Luke List, 20, of Ringgold, Ga., and Ryan Blaum, 21, of Coral Gables, Fla.

Bob Lewis, 61, of Pepper Pike, Ohio, who played on four winning Walker Cup teams from 1981 through 1987, will serve as team captain. He also was captain of the 2003 team. Lewis is president and chief operating officer of Welded Tubes, Inc., a manufacturer of welded steel tubing, a company founded by his father in 1958.

"I am really excited about this group," said Lewis. "They have a lot of talent and I look forward to going to bat with these guys. I want them to have a good experience. I give the committee a lot of credit for its selections."

Putnam, 22, becomes the second former Pepperdine golfer named to a United States Walker Cup Team as he joins Jason Gore who was selected to the team in 1997.

In 2005, Putnam put together the best season of any golfer in Pepperdine history as he registered a school-record 70.58 stroke average in 45 rounds and produced ten Top 10 finishes, including tying for individual medalist honors at the Oregon Duck Invitational and the NCAA Championships. He finished as national runner-up following a three-hole playoff.

Additionally, Putnam was a semi-finalist for the 2005 Ben Hogan Award, given to the nation's top collegiate golfer, and was honored with the prestigious Byron Nelson Award that is awarded to a graduating senior who the selection committee feels has exemplified academic and athletic excellence during their collegiate golf career, while maintaining high character and integrity.

Putnam concluded his four-year career with a school-record 71.61 stroke average.

Upon completion of his collegiate career, Putnam helped the United States to a victory over Europe in the 2005 Palmer Cup and competed in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina, this past June.