ST. ANDREWS, Scotland - The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews announced Wednesday that University of South Alabama men’s golfer Jonny Caldwell has been named to the 2007 Walker Cup for the Ireland/Great Britain Team. The Walker Cup will be held at Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Ireland, September 8-9.

"It is obviously a great honor to be representing Great Britain and Ireland in such a prestigious event," Caldwell said. "It has been a very exciting few days, but I can't imagine how exciting it will be come September 8. It came as a little bit of a surprise as I had no indication at all that I would be selected."

The Walker Cup was founded in 1922 as a match-play event with amateur golfers from the United States and Great Britain competing against each other. Currently, the United States holds a 31-5-1 advantage over its opponent, while the U.S. won the last Walker Cup in 2005 12 ½ to 11 ½ at Chicago Golf Club.

Caldwell, a senior from Belfast, Northern Ireland, was named to the 2007 Sun Belt All-Conference team for the third consecutive year, finishing with a 72.82 stroke average. He won his first collegiate victory at the Squire Creek Golf Classic in Choudrant, La., on Oct. 16-17. Caldwell was also named to the 2006 Northern Ireland Amateur Team that competed at the European Championships in Biella, Italy and was named to the 2006 Home International Team.

“We are tremendously proud and excited for Jonny and this great accomplishment,” said South Alabama men’s head coach Ben Hannan. “Being selected for the Walker Cup is the highest honor an amateur golfer can receive. This accomplishment is a tribute to Jonny’s hard work and growth as a player since arriving at South Alabama.”

This summer, Caldwell was a team member of the 2007 Irish Amateur Team that won the European Championships at Western Gailes Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland. He rolled in the final putt to seal the victory over France, clinching the fourth European title for Ireland.