State College, Pa, January 20, 2006 - Former Penn State men¡¯s golfer Mark Leon (Brampton, Ontario) was named to the Canadian National Golf Team in late November. A 2005 graduate, he is the first Penn State golfer ever to be named to a national team.

¡°We are very excited to welcome these athletes to the 2006 National Amateur Golf Team,¡± said Jeff Thompson, RCGA Managing Director of Player & Program Development.¡±

The National Amateur Team program offers a year-round environment that trains athletes through state of the art coaching along with sport science expertise. The program is geared to help Canada¡¯s rising amateur stars in all areas of development in order to become the best golfers in the world.

Earning a spot on the Canadian team is one of Leon¡¯s many accomplishments during his golf career. In 2004 he was selected as an honorable mention All-American. In 2003 and 2004 he was chosen for the NCAA Mid Atlantic Region Team. Leon also holds the Penn State Blue Course record for shooting a 62.

¡°This is a great opportunity for Mark as he keeps progressing in his golf career. He¡¯ll one day move into the professional ranks,¡± said Head Coach Greg Nye.

For more information on the Canadian National Team, check out http://www.rcga.org/english/news/news_details.asp?