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The College All-America Golf Classic receives NCAA Golf exemption

Posted by admin under General, Latest Golf News, Student Golf, USA Collegiate

EL PASO, Texas - An all-star college golf tournament that includes Tiger Woods among its winners will continue after the NCAA passed legislation preserving the event’s exemption.

This year’s event is scheduled for Nov. 23-25 at the above pictured El Paso Country Club

The tournament was in jeopardy after the NCAA eliminated the committee that decides which events are exempt from a rule that limits the number of playing days for student-athletes. The College All-America Golf Classic had been an exempt event for golfers.

The NCAA Board of Directors approved a new exemption Monday. It will become official if no one objects during a 60-day waiting period.

Organizers predicted the tournament wouldn’t survive without the exemption because coaches needed their best players for team tournaments. Division I All-Americans and national champions from lower divisions are the only players eligible for the El Paso event, which is the only individual stroke-play event in the NCAA.

“No coach is going to send his best player to the All-American if it would count against his team’s playing date,” tournament director Bob Kimble said.

Woods and fellow major winners David Duval and Davis Love 111 are among the winners in the 33-year history of the event. It was cancelled in 1987 when the NCAA passed legislation limiting the number of playing dates. An exemption was secured the next year.