STATESBORO, Ga. - Five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to enroll at Georgia Southern University and play golf for Head Coach Larry Mays and the Eagles beginning in the fall of 2011. The class consists of all Georgia signees as well as two high school teammates. According to the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, the Eagles' 2011 signing class includes five of the top 11 golfers from the state of Georgia.
"We are very excited about this class," said Mays. "All five are home-grown Georgia kids who have proven junior golf resumes. This group will be a great building block for the future success of Georgia Southern Golf. Coach Collins and I are proud to call all of these fine young men Eagles."
2010 Georgia Southern Golf Recruiting Class
Caleb Morris - Metter, Ga. (David Emanuel Academy)
Golfweek/Saragin Ranking: (Ninth in Georgia & 102nd Nationally)
Both the Georgia PGA Junior Player of the year, as well as the Georgia Junior Golf Tour Player of the year in 2008, Morris stays an Eagle after leading David Emanual Academy to State Championships his eighth, ninth and 10th grade year. He also won Individual Region Championship Titles and recorded "Top 5" finishes at the GISA State Championships the last four years.
This past summer, Morris finished third in the 2010 Georgia State Golf Association (GSGA) Georgia Junior Championship with a 3-under 213 (69-71-73).
Morris is also an 'National Honor Roll' selection, 'Who's Who Among High School Students' selection and was awarded the President's Award for Educational Excellence.
"Caleb has a very even keel demeanor on the golf course which has led to much of his success," said Mays on the incoming freshman. "He has worked hard to improve his game to make his collegiate golf dream come true. Caleb will bring a great work ethic with him to Statesboro and will only continue to get better."
Charlie Martin - LaGrange, Ga. (LaGrange High School)
Golfweek/Saragin Ranking: (Seventh in Georgia & 82nd Nationally)
Martin was named 'Most Valuable Player' for the Grangers as a sophomore, junior and senior. He is also the leader and organizer of the LaGrange High School "BLUE CREW" football spirit group which currently has over 400 members.
This past summer, Martin qualified for the United States Golf Association (USGA) U.S. Junior Amateur with rounds of 68 and 69. Once at the U.S. Junior, he shot 73-70 to qualify for match play, where he won his first two matches and advanced to the round of 16. Martin solidified his already impressive junior golf resume with a win at the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour's Marietta Junior Classic (71-70) and this past summer he also competed in the prestigious Southeastern Amateur, where he shot rounds of 76, 70, 72 and 71.
Martin was also named a Gold Member of the LaGrange High School Service Club, which is the highest award given to individuals who show a great level of community service. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.
"Charlie had a great summer of golf, capped with his trip to Michigan and the US Junior where he made it to the sweet 16," said Mays. "He has really improved over the past six months and we look for great things out of him in the future. Charlie has a great enthusiasm for the game and will bring lots of energy to team. "
Henry Mabbett - Griffin, Ga. (Spalding High School)
Golfweek/Saragin Ranking: (10th in Georgia & 106th Nationally)
Mabbett won the 2009 AAA GHSA State Championship, shooting a 69 after recording a 71 the previous year to finish second. He won the 2009 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Preseason at Chateau Elan (72-69) and finished 10th at the Southern Junior Championship with a final round 67. Mabbett finished ninth at the 2010 Georgia Junior Championship where he fired a 7-under 65 in the second round at Green Island Country Club in Columbus, Ga. He was sixth at the 2009 Georgia Junior Championship (71-69-74) event. In July of 2010, Mabbett tied for the win in the AJGA Columbus Junior presented by the Memorial.
He is an active member of his community, garnering the rank of Eagle Scout and is a big part of 'Young Life' in Spalding County.
"Henry is a big-hitting left hander who will bring a powerful golf game with him," stated Mays. "At times he will be able to overpower a golf course with his length which will set him up to be a very successful collegiate player. His laid-back personality will allow him to handle anything that comes his way."
Zach Hartman - St. Simons Island, Ga. (Glynn Academy)
Golfweek/Saragin Ranking: (11th in Georgia & 109th Nationally)
While at Glynn Academy, Hartman won the 2009 Region Championship, finished in the "Top 10" at the 2009 State Championship and earned a runner-up finish at the 2010 State Championship. In both his sophomore and junior years, Hartman was part of the Red Terrors team that finished runner-up for the State Title.
Hartman posted a 1-under 215 (71-70-74) to finish ninth at the 2009 GSGA Junior Championship. He also recorded two top-five finishes - a fourth-place in the 2010 AJGA Sarasota Junior and a fifth-place finish at the 2009 AJGA Junior at New Castle. At the 2010 AJGA Deutsche Bank Partners for Charity Shootout, Hartman carded a score good for 10th. At the AJGA Burgett H. Mooney, Jr. Rome Classic Hartman tied for 13th with a 217.
Hartman is a member of National Honor Society as well as the Latin/Greek Club and Beta Club. He has also been selected as a member of the Glynn County 'Youth Advisory Committee,' which helps promote and develop the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center in Glynn County. He was also the recipient of the Savannah Dental Association Award and the Southeast Georgia Region Medical and Dental Award for his research and work on Teen Nutrition and Health Services.
"Zach is a very accomplished junior player who will bring a wealth of experience to Georgia Southern," said Mays about the future Eagle. "He is a well-rounded young man with many talents on and off the golf course. Zach will no doubt continue to shine in all aspects of his life here on campus."
Scott Wolfes - St. Simons Island, Ga. (Glynn Academy)
Golfweek/Saragin Ranking: (Third in Georgia & 26th Nationally)*
During his high school career, Wolfes has been a three-time All-Region and GHSA All-State selection at Glynn Academy, including capturing the Region Championship in 2008. A two-sport athlete for the Red Terrors, Wolfes is also a member of the varsity basketball team.
A two-time reigning Georgia Junior Champion, Wolfes won the 2009 championship by shooting rounds of 69-66-67 at the Retreat Course of Sea Island, breaking the GSGA scoring record for the event. He repeated as the Georgia Junior Champion in 2010 with scores of 69-69-70, sinking a birdie on the last hole to win by one stroke.
Wolfes won his qualifier for the U.S. Junior Amateur in Lake Wales, Fla., (65-74) this past summer. Once at the U.S. Junior, he shot rounds of 74 and 72 to qualify for match play where he advanced as one of the final eight contestants. His junior golf resume includes more than 14 victories on various junior tours around the country including Southeastern Junior Golf Tour wins at Jekyll Island and TPC Sawgrass.
He is an active member of his church, and also mentors underprivileged elementary school children.
"Scott brings a very explosive game to the table each time he tees it up," says Mays. "He had a great summer winning the Georgia Junior Amateur for the second straight year and making it to the Elite 8 at the US Junior. Scott hates to lose and will bring a winning attitude with him to Georgia Southern."
*Wolfes ranking according to Golfweek Rating. Not officially ranked due to insufficient amount of tournaments in database.
