STATESBORO – Georgia Southern men's golf coach Carter Collins announced today that Parker Claxton (Claxton, Georgia/Pinewood Christian Academy) and Hayden Carner (Birmingham, Alabama/Spain Park/Central Alabama Community College) have signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Eagles, beginning in the 2022-23 season.

"The addition of Parker and Hayden are big for this program," said Collins. "Both Parker and Hayden have very high ceilings and are on great trajectories. They will bring a strong competitive spirit and high goals with them to Statesboro. We can't wait to see each of them in Blue and White."

Hayden Carner (Birmingham, Alabama/Spain Park/Central Alabama Community College)
3.95 GPA
Athletic Highlights:
2021-22 Collegiate Stroke Average of 69.92 (6 events)
2021-22 Average Finish of 3.5
2020-21 PING first-team All American
2020-21 PING All-Region 
2020-21 PING All District
Nominated for 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup Team
Won ACCC Conference Championship in 2021
2020 Alabama Sports Writers Association Community College Athlete of the Year. Freshman Season Placed in the top-5 in nine out 10 events, including two wins in his freshman season at Central Alabama 
Placed in the top-5 in four of five events, including one win last fall
Tied for 37th in the 104th Alabama Men's State Amateur
Tied for 10th in the 75th Alabama Boys State Junior
Collins on Carner:
"Hayden brings with him a wealth of experience and accomplishments, not only on the golf course but also in the classroom. He has established himself as one of, if not the best, Junior College players in the country. He has a clear expectation of pushing our program forward in every way, and we cannot wait for him to arrive in Statesboro."

Parker Claxton (Claxton, Georgia/Pinewood Christian Academy)
3.75 GPA
Golfweek Ranking: 53rd in Nation, 6th in Georgia 
Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranking: 84th in Nation, 7th in Georgia, -3.31 scoring differential
Signed with the Eagles last fall 
Athletic Highlights:
Won 2021 Brunswick Junior Classic - 69-74-143
Won 2021 SJGT Harris English Invitational - 67-67-134
Won 2021 Sanctuary Golf Club Junior Classic-69-67-136
Runner-up at 2021 Forest Heights Junior Classic Forest Heights-73-70-143
T4 at 2021 SJGT Sea Island Junior Classic - 71-75-146
4th at 2021 Sea Palms Junior Classic-76-68-144
T4 at 2021 AJGA Carolina Trace Junior – 72-75-36-36-219
Runner-up at 2020 Sea Palms Junior Classic -70-68-138
3rd at 2020 Patton Kizzire Junior Classic-71-72-143
Named 2019 All-Region GISA AAA at Pinewood Christian in 2019
Placed 5th at SJGT Harris English Invitational, Brunswick Junior Classic and Belle Meade Junior Classic
Named 2019 SJGT Player of the Year after winning two events, placing second in three tournaments and finishing in the top-10 in all 13 events he played in.
Collins on Claxton:
"We are very excited about Parker joining our program.  He is a proven winner and has been around elite golf his entire life, we are looking forward to seeing how Parker can make his mark on Georgia Southern golf. We take pride in keeping Georgia talent in Georgia and are grateful that Parker and his family chose Georgia Southern.  It is a special place and with guys like Parker joining, it will become even greater."

The 2021-22 Eagles open the spring portion of their season Feb. 6-7 at the Thomas Sharkey Individual Collegiate at Georgia Southern University Golf Course in Statesboro.