June 13, 2006

Charlottesville, VA - Virginia men's golf coach Bowen Sargent won a zone qualifying tournament to secure a spot in the 2006 Sun Trust State Open of Virginia presented by Virginia is for Lovers. Held June 12, Sargent won by two strokes with a 36-hole total of 140. The event was held at Poplar Grove Golf Club in Amherst.

Sargent also qualified for the Virginia State Amateur, but will not participate in that event.

The 2006 SunTrust State Open of Virginia will take place at Richmond's Willow Oaks Country Club July 20-23. Presented by the Virginia State Golf Association and the Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America, the event is being played at Willow Oaks (6,730 yards, par 36-36--72) for a fourth straight year and for a 14th time in the championship's history.

For the third consecutive year the final two rounds, set for Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23 will be televised. ABC affiliate WRIC-TV 8 in Richmond will be broadcasting the final two rounds immediately following the British Open.

The SunTrust State Open of Virginia is a 72-hole, stroke play event with the field limited to 168 golfers. The field will be cut to the low 75 players and ties following the completion of 36 holes. The purse for this year's championship will be $60,000 (minimum), with approximately $5,500 going to the low professional and the low amateur receiving a $750 gift certificate.

The State Open dates back to 1924 and this will be the 106th playing and 79th year of the championship.