The men’s and women’s golf teams welcomed three members apiece to their respective squads June 7, as head coach David Synan announced the signing of six new players to the 2010-2011 teams.
The women’s golf team welcomed three new golfers, including two from the state of North Carolina.
The Lady Braves will welcome Dana Watkins from Clayton, N.C., Meghan Moore from Durham, N.C., and Kelly Sumner from Callao, Va., to the team next season.
Watkins was a four-year letter winner at Knightdale High School in Knightdale, N.C.
The high school senior took home team most valuable player honors from her squad this season, while performing both on and off the links.
“Dana has the potential to be a top-three player for us in the fall,” Synan said. “With her natural athletic talents, she has limitless potential. I’m very excited about Dana joining the UNCP Golf family.”
Watkins placed 10th at the 2009 4A North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s State Championships during her senior year and helped lead her team to a second place finish in the conference. Watkins also earned academic all-conference honors during her junior and senior campaigns.
Watkins plans to major in biology at UNCP.
Joining Watkins, Moore joins the Lady Braves after a transfer from Division I East Carolina University. Because Moore is switching between Division I and Division II, she will not have to sit out a season as NCAA transfer rules state.
Moore was the No. 1 ranked junior player in the state of North Carolina during the 2008-2009 season.
“Meghan will be joining us from ECU and I am really excited about what she can bring to the team,” Synan said. “She has a tremendous work ethic and should be able to contribute from day one.”
Moore placed in the top-10 in many events last season, including a first place finish in the 2010 Carolina You Amateurs with a two day score of 152.
Closing out the Lady Braves’ 2010 recruiting class, Sumner comes to UNCP after player for Northumberland High School.
The senior medaled in every contest last season except for two and took home a second place finish at the 2009 High School District Tournament.
“I am pumped that Kelly is joining the Braves this fall,” Synan said. “She comes from an athletic-minded family that loves golf. Kelly will be a strong addition to the UNCP Golf family and has the skills to contribute this fall.”
Sumner’s father, Dean, was her high school coach and is also a Professional Golf Association Tour Professional.
Men add three
Along with the women’s team, the men’s golf team also added three recruits of their own.
Lewis Adams, Michael Mullman and Scott Colley will join the Black and Gold for the 2010-2011 season.
Adams, a Lilesville, N.C., native, joins the Braves after a four-year high school career at Anson High School in Wadesboro, N.C.
Adams earned medalist honors in three matches as a senior while taking home team MVP honors, while also earning all-conference honors all four years in high school.
Adams took home first place honors at the 2009 CPGA Westfield Junior Gold Tournament and averaged 37.6 strokes per round his senior season.
“I am very excited that Lewis will be joining us this fall,” Synan said. “He has a fundamentally sound game that has not reached its potential. With hard work, Lewis should battle for playing time this coming year.”
Adams shot five rounds under-par last season to set Anson High’s school record.
Mullman, a Charlotte, N.C., product, will join Adams on the golf course next season with the Braves.
Mullman prepped at Mallard Creek High School while finishing fourth in the conference standings last season. Mullman helped lead his team to their first ever trip to the North Carolina regional tournament and also earned all-conference accolades last season.
Along with his time on the course, Mullman was an excellent student, participating in the Beta Club, Spanish Club and the National Honor Society.
“Michael will be a strong addition to our golf family at UNCP,” Synan said. “He is the kind of person we look for with high character, a solid academic background and a tireless work ethic. I expect Michael to fit in well.”
Mullman was named the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year as a junior with John T. Hoggard High School in Wilmington.
Rounding out the Braves’ 2010 recruiting class, Colley joins the Braves from Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh.
Last season, Colley earned National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors and was named the NJCAA Region X Player of the Year in 2009.
Colley placed in a tie for 20th at the North Carolina Amateur Championship and also took home first place honors at the 2010 Virginia Wesleyan Marlin Invitational.
“Scott is a little bit older than the other recruits,” Synan said. “With this he does bring more tournament experience to the team that can only help us get better.”
Both the men’s and women’s team had exceptional 2009-2010 seasons last year, with men’s golfer Jordan Walor taking home first place honors in the 2010 Peach Belt Conference Tournament while his sister, Shauna Walor, took home PBC Freshman of the Year accolades.
