"I’m really happy with the team that we’ve put together for this Palmer Cup," said Haack. "Not only do we have experienced players who are having great college seasons, but we have guys who have competed in Palmer Cups, Walker Cups and The Masters. Hopefully we will have as much success as we did last time I coached."

Blaum and Castro each posted 3-1 records in last year’s Palmer Cup and teamed up for a four-ball victory in the event’s opening round. Castro also served as team captain while Blaum was assistant captain. Haack - the only U.S. coach to have been selected twice to coach Team USA - previously served in 2002 when he lead the Americans to a 15.5-8.5 victory at Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland.

Baca, Harman, Kirk, Larsen, List and Ogden will be competing in their first Palmer Cup.

EUROPEAN TEAM - Announced April 14, 2006

NORMAN, Okla. (April 14, 2006) — Alejandro Cañizares of Arizona State, East Tennessee State’s Rhys Davies, Oscar Floren of Texas Tech, Georgia State’s Mark Haastrup, Stephen Lewton of NC State, Randstad Topsport Academie Rotterdam’s Joost Luiten, Pablo Martin of Oklahoma State and Stirling’s Richard Ramsey have been named to represent Europe in the 2006 Palmer Cup presented by Monster announced European Head Coach Peter Mattsson. The annual Ryder Cup-style competition between American collegiate golfers and their counterparts from Europe will be played June 29-30, on the 6,544 yard, par 71 Prestwick Golf Club. The European squad - which trails the United States 5-3-1 - represents players from six different nations.

"We have players with a wide range of abilities from across Europe," said Mattsson, the director of coaching for the English Golf Union. "Several of our players have links experience, which will be of great benefit, and a good mix between players based out of the United States and Europe."

Cañizares, a senior from Manilva, Spain, will be competing in his fourth Palmer Cup. The Palmer Cup all-time leader in victories and points, the former NCAA champion has a 9-3 career record in the event.

Davies, a native of Bridgend Wales will be competing in his third Palmer Cup while Martin, hailing from Malaga, Spain, will be participating in his second. Davies Palmer Cup record is 3-4-1, although he did register a 3-1 mark while leading Europe to victory at Ballybunion in 2004. Martin went 1-2-1 last year at Whistling Straits Irish Course.

Floren (Sweden), Haastrup (Denmark), Lewton (England), Luiten (The Netherlands) and Ramsey (Scotland) will be competing in their first Palmer Cup.

Team USA leads the Palmer Cup series 5-3-1.