University of Stirling Business & Marketing student Mathias Eggenberger has secured a place in the European Arnold Palmer Cup team for the second time after a dramatic play-off victory in the men’s division of the annual R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament in St Andrews.
The 24-year-old Swiss international player beat off competition from 60 student golfers who played the final round on the Old Course to achieve the memorable win.
Now a two-time R&A champion, Eggenberger will line-up in the European team to face the United States in the Arnold Palmer Cup, the student equivalent of the Ryder Cup, at Formby in June.
“I wanted to get back into the Palmer cup team – I just want to get the trophy back after we lost last year and I’m really looking forward to playing Formby. So that’s my goal achieved.” said Eggenberger.
Head Coach Dean Robertson said: "I am absolutely delighted for Mathias. He graduates in June and it was a huge goal of his to represent Europe one more time in the Arnold Palmer Cup. Without any question, he has been one of the most dedicated and professional golfing athletes we have ever had within the International Sports Scholarship Programme.
“We want our students to be able to compete at the very highest level and Mathias is an outstanding role model and ambassador for the University of Stirling. He will be a fine addition to Team Europe and coaches Janice Moody and Jean Van de Velde."
The University’s golfing success continued in the ladies competition, with Eilidh Briggs finishing in third position. The Curtis Cup player finished on three-under-par.
Mathias and Eilidh are two of 17 current golf scholarship recipients studying at Stirling. Their team-mates include Irish International and two-time British Universities Strokeplay Champion Cormac Sharvin and Scottish & British Universities Strokeplay Champion Gemma Batty.
Media enquiries to Corrie Campbell, Communications Officer on 01786 466 169 or c.r.campbell@stir.ac.uk.
Notes for editors
- Background information
To out more about golf scholarships at the University of Stirling visit www.stir.ac.uk/sport/scholarships/golf.
The R&A Foundation Scholars Tournament takes place each year in St Andrews and features student golfers who receive financial assistance from The R&A to enable them to continue to play competitive golf while completing their studies.
Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence
The Scottish Government designated the University of Stirling as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence in 2008. Our mission is to deliver the best for Scottish sport through the powerful and inspirational combination of sport and education. We are at the heart of Scottish sport, preparing athletes to perform on the world stage, enabling students to develop their skill sets for excellent careers and producing innovative research to improve the health of the nation. Our sport-centred campus brings together the people shaping Scottish sport, creating a critical mass of sporting expertise and excellence.
Find out more at:www.stir.ac.uk/sport-at-stirling.