April 27, 2010ST. LOUIS, MO. – University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s golf coach Troy Halterman has announced the signings of Joe Atkisson (Springfield, Mo.), Justin Hyun (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia), Adam Sterling (Springfield, Mo.) and Chris Dowling (Burlington, Ontario, Canada) to national letters of intent to join the Tritons program beginning with the 2010-11 academic year.
“This class will lay the foundation for what UMSL men’s golf team will be in the future,” said Halterman. “When recruiting players we look for someone who is more than just a good player, we want the total package. We are looking for excellence on the course, in the classroom and in life. I feel these four young men meet all of those criteria. Combine that with a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed and you have the ingredients to be successful at UMSL. We expect all four to contribute during their first year on campus.”
Atkisson prepped at Kickapoo High School where he was a four-time all-conference and three-time all-district performer. He owns a scoring average of 75 as a senior with a win at Hickory Hills Country Club in the Best of the Best Tournament, shooting two under par for a 70. His team’s number one golfer all four years, Atkisson helped lead his team to a fourth place finish at state as a sophomore.
Also a three-time academic all-conference honoree, Atkisson has played in several AJGA Tournaments in the past summers.
“Joe will be a great addition to our team,” said Halterman. “He is strong fundamentally and is willing to work hard on his game. He is also a very consistent ball striker who should adjust well to the college game.”
Hyun prepped at Terry-Fox Secondary School where he owns a 74.2 RCGA handicap. He earned a seventh place finish at the BC High School AAA Provincials, while helping the team to a fourth place finish. Hyun also placed first at the MJT Hazelmere Greater Vancouver Classic and took fifth in the Texas junior masters.
“Justin will be more mature than most freshmen,” Halterman said. “He has spent part of the past year in Florida training at the Gary Gilchrest Academy to improve his game. Justin is also a very hard worker who loves to practice and is driven to get better every day.”
Sterling prepped at Glendale High School where he owns a scoring average of 75.8. He tied for 14th place at the Missouri Class 4A state championships as a junior and was second at the 2009 Missouri Junior Match Play. Additionally, he has several strong finishes on both the AJGA and Plantations Junior Golf Tours and owns a scoring average of 76.7 in summer tournaments.
Sterling is also a three-time academic all-conference selection and a 2009 all-state award winner.
“Adam comes from a very successful high school program and is used to winning and will bring that mindset to our team,” Halterman said. “He has an above average length with the driver that should be a big advantage. Adam and Joe (Atkisson) are also longtime friends and I look forward to them continuing to push each other to be the best.”
Dowling spent the last two seasons at Phoenix College where he held a conference scoring average of 74.9. He also posted a top finish of second place at the Paradise Valley CC Invitational with rounds of 70 and 71 for a three under par finish and was an academic all-American as a freshman.
Dowling prepped at Aldershot High School where he claimed first place honors in the High School Regional Championship as a junior after winning a one-hold playoff.
“Chris will bring a level of experience that can only be earned from playing college golf,” said Halterman. “With two years of tournament experience, he should blend in well with our returning seniors. Chris also has a great fundamental golf swing and is very dedicated to his game and his studies”.
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