Alabama Men’s Golfer Robby Shelton Added to 2015 Walker Cup Team

Alabama junior men’s golfer Robby Shelton has been named to the 2015 United States Walker Cup team, the United States Golf Association (USGA) announced on Sunday. Shelton becomes the sixth Crimson Tide golfer since 2009 and seventh overall in program history to be selected to represent his country at one of the most storied international events.

“I am so happy for Robby that he gets to represent USA in this prestigious event,” Alabama head coach Jay Seawell said. “I believe the Walker Cup selection is the highest honor in amateur golf. He has worked extremely hard and is very deserving of this honor. I am also proud of our program. To have six selections to the Walker Cup since 2009 is a great accomplishment.”

A two-time PING First Team All-American and first team All-SEC performer, Shelton was semifinalist for the 2015 Ben Hogan Award and received the 2014 Phil Mickelson National Freshman of the Year Award when he helped the Crimson Tide capture the 2014 NCAA Championship.

Shelton, who turns 20 on Aug. 25, finished the 2014-15 season ranked No. 7 in the nation by Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index. He closed the year with a 70.61 per round stroke average and an average vs. par of -0.81, both of which ranks third-lowest in program lore.

Shelton is coming off a terrific summer, which began at the 2015 Palmer Cup in June. Shelton finished the event with a perfect 4-0 record and helped the United States regain the cup with an 18-12 victory over Europe. He became one of just 16 golfers in the event’s rich history to post a perfect 4-0 record, and the first to do so since 2012.

Following the Palmer Cup, Shelton played in his first PGA event, when he competed at the Barbasol Championship in July. Competing as an amateur, Shelton finished in third overall with a four-day total of 14-under par 270.  Shelton ended the summer by claiming medalist honors at the 2015 Western Amateur in early August, followed by a reaching the round of 16 at the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship earlier in the week.

Many of the game's greatest players have participated in Walker Cup competition, including U.S. Open champions Francis Ouimet, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods for the USA and Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose for Great Britain and Ireland.

This year’s tournament will be held at the Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s Golf Club in Lancashire, England on Sept. 12-13.