Van Sickle Garners Sponsor's Exemption Into John Deere Classic

Recent Marquette University graduate Mike Van Sickle was awarded a sponsor’s exemption to play in the upcoming John Deere Classic, July 6-12, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. It will mark the first of two PGA Tour events in July for Van Sickle, who will join Alabama-Birmingham graduate Zach Sucher in the Quad Cities-based tournament.

Van Sickle, who is currently ranked sixth in the R&A World Amateur Rankings, capped off his senior season at Marquette with First Team All-America and BIG EAST Player of the Year honors. He was also the winner of the prestigious Byron Nelson Award.

Earlier this month it was announced that Van Sickle and former Clemson star Kyle Stanley were given sponsor’s exemptions into the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, Wis., July 13-19.

[Full Story]

All-Nicklaus Team Announced

The most-decorated golfer in Marquette history, Mike Van Sickle, earned national recognition yet again when the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) recently announced he was named to the 2009 All-Nicklaus Team. Van Sickle is one of 20 NCAA Division I, II, and III and NAIA players to be recognized for their outstanding play during the past collegiate season.

Link to press release on GoMarquette.com.

Jack Nicklaus (left) with Mike Van Sickle in Toledo, Ohio, following 

the presentation of the 2009 Byron Nelson Award.

U.S. Bank Championship grants Van Sickle sponsor's exemption

Mike Van Sickle will have his first opportunity to play in a PGA Tour event this July thanks to a sponsor exemption into the U.S. Bank Championship. This year's event will be July 13-19 at Brown Deer Park Golf Club in Milwaukee.

Check out the full story on www.GoMarquette.com. Writer Gary D'Amato also posted a story to his blog on JSOnline.com, while the USA Today picked it up off the AP wire.

Palmer Cup begins Thursday

Due to rain earlier in the week, the first day of Palmer Cup competition was pushed back by a day, and as a result the first round of Four Ball will now begin Thursday morning.

Live scoring is available for the duration of the tournament by going to www.palmercup.org and clicking on the "live scoring" button located on the left side of the home page.

Mike Van Sickle is teamed up with Stanford sophomore Steve Ziegler in the first round and will go up against the Italian twosome of Andrea Pavan of national champion Texas A&M and the University of Milan's Leonardo Motta.

On an additional note, UCLA's Eric Flores replaces Team USA's Jamie Lovemark of USC due to injury.

Van Sickle featured in Inside Wisconsin Sports

Mike Van Sickle was featured in the June edition of Inside Wisconsin Sports. In Bill Huber's story "Par for the Course," the Marquette all-American, along with the University of Wisconsin women's golfer Kelsey Verbeten, are profiled as the state's top collegiate players.

In the article, Huber gets Van Sickle to reveal his biggest strength on the golf course. "I hit it about 300 off the tee, but the other thing is the driver is one of straightest clubs in my bag," Van Sickle said. "I hit it a long way but I hit it quite accurately, which is a big advantage."
Inside Wisconsin Sports is available on newsstands throughout the state or by subscription.

PING All-America First Team announced

Mike Van Sickle was named to the PING All-America First Team, announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) following the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship. Van Sickle, who graduated in May as the most-decorated golfer in Marquette history, garnered PING All-America Honorable Mention accolades in each of his previous two seasons.ate events as a Golden Eagle. [full story]

PING All-America First Team (NCAA Division I)
Jorge Campillo, Indiana
Rickie Fowler, Oklahoma State
Matthew Giles, Southern California
Matt Hill, N.C. State
Morgan Hoffman, Oklahoma State
Billy Horschel, Florida
Kyle Stanley, Clemson
Nick Taylor, Washington
Cameron Tringale, Georgia Tech
Mike Van Sickle, Marquette University

Van Sickle Wins '09 Byron Nelson Award

MILWAUKEE – Mike Van Sickle has been named recipient of the 2009 Byron Nelson Award presented by Cleveland Golf/Srixon, it was announced Thursday at the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Van Sickle, a recent Marquette University graduate, edged four other finalists for the prestigious honor.

A Nelson Award candidate must be a graduating senior and the selection committee considers equally a nominee’s entire collegiate academic and golf career and his character and integrity while in college. Particular consideration will be given to a nominee’s good citizenship, as portrayed by legendary golfer Byron Nelson.

In addition to Van Sickle, this year’s finalists were joins Peter Malnati of Missouri, South Dakota State’s Trent Peterson, Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech and Matthew Van Zandt of Texas A&M.

Click here to read the complete press release on GoMarquette.com.

VIDEO: WGN Lexus Long Drive

This video featuring Mike Van Sickle is from this week's "Lexus Long Drive," a weekly segment on Chicago's very own WGN -- a superstation that millions of cable viewers nationwide can see.

The interview took place May 18 at Conway Farms, site of this year's Western Amateur.

Link to video: http://www.wgntv.com/sports/lexuslongdrive/

D'Amato: 'Van Sickle maps out summer plans'

Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently spoke with Marquette University graduate Mike Van Sickle. The article (published May 21, 2009), also ran in the American Chronicle.

In the piece, Van Sickle details his plans to turn professional at the end of summer, as he plans to play in a number of prestigious amateur events in 2009. In addition, Van Sickle has inquired about the possibility of receiving an exemption to play in a few PGA Tour events, including the U.S. Bank Championship held annually at Brown Deer in Milwaukee.

Next up for Van Sickle, the Palmer Cup.

Link to article: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/45806932.html

Van Sickle Named MU's 'Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete'

Mike Van Sickle was named the male recipient of the Ralph H. Metcalfe Senior Outstanding Student-Athlete award Friday, given annually to the top senior student-athlete at Marquette.

The announcement was made at last night's Senior Athletics Awards Banquet. Van Sickle beat out men's basketball all-American Jerel McNeal, who also became MU's all-time leading scorer in 2008-09.

Click here for the official press release on the announcement.