Player Bio: Stephan Gross

STEPHAN GROSS' FAVORITES:
Golf course: Seddiner See (Berlin, Germany)
Golfer: Tiger Woods
Food: Steak or pasta
ASU Class: Communications 101
Movie: Any James Bond movie
Song: Speeding by Rick Ross
Hobbies: Music, cars and hanging out with friends
Dream Foursome: Tiger Woods, Megan Fox, Jessica Alba
Most Memorable Golf Shot: 4-iron in the final round of the European Amateur
Sun Devil Memory: 2008 Pac-10 Championship playoff
Best Advice: Trust your abilities
Best Influence: Mom

Stephan Gross Hometown: Leimen, Germany High School: Englisches Instituut Heidelberg Height / Weight: 6-1 / 155 Birthdate: 09/09/1987 Experience: 2V (2007-09)

Click here to read about Stephan Gross's success in the 2009 Palmer Cup being typical of a Sun Devil

SUN DEVIL NOTES: One of the four Sun Devils to earn Golf Coaches Association honorable mention All-America status in 2008-2009 who earned six top-10 finishes and a 72.88 stroke average in his 19 career events. Shot a career-best 64 in the first round of his college career in January of 2008. Helped lead ASU to 12th Pac-10 title in 2008 as he tied for eighth. Also earned honorable mention All-America honors from Golfweek, as he finished 42nd in final 2009 rankings.

GROSS SELECTED TO PALMER CUP (APRIL 23, 2009): The United States and European teams have been announced for the Palmer Cup presented by Fisher Capital Partners at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver. The annual Ryder Cup-style competition will be played June 3-5, 2009. The American team will consist of Bud Cauley of Alabama, Oklahoma State's Morgan Hoffmann and Trent Leon, Jamie Lovemark of Southern California, Georgia's Adam Mitchell, Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech, Marquette's Mike Van Sickle and Colorado native Steve Ziegler of Stanford. Representing the Euros will be Jorge Campillo of Indiana, Arizona State's Stephan Gross, Leonardo Motta of IULM Milan, Augusta State's Henrik Norlander, Chris Paisley and Robin Wingardh of Tennessee, Texas A&M's Andrea Pavan and Tim Sluiter of Southern California. Gross is the first Palmer Cup participant from Germany. Motta and Pavan hail from Italy, Paisley from England and Norlander and Wingardh from Sweden.

QUOTING COACH LEIN: "I first saw Stephan play at the European Boys Championship in Italy in 2005. At that time he was already considered one of the very best amateur players in Germany. I saw Stephan again at the 2006 World Amateur. He brings a wealth of tournament experience along with a very strong team oriented personality. He is a major player and a strong addition to our very young team."

PREP AND JUNIOR CAREER: A three-time German Champion 2003-05... a member of the German World Amateur Team, which competed in South Africa in 2006...2007 placed 2nd in the Heidelberg Open (67,72,70)... tied for second in the Doral Publix Junior Classic (72,69,72) in 2005... a member of the Continental Europe Team for Jaques Leglise Trophy in Lahinch/Ireland in 2003.

ETC.: Born September 9, 1987...parents are Stephan and Gudrun Gross...has an older sister, Vanessa (22)...interests include cars, music and friends...lists his Tiger Woods as his favorite golfer...full name is Stephan Peter Gross.