Nov. 13, 2014
AUBURN, Ala. - Trace Crowe from Bluffton, S.C.; Graysen Huff from Eagle, Idaho; Mark Lawrence from Richmond, Va.; and Jacob Solomon from Dublin, Calif., have signed a national letter of intent with the No. 8 Auburn men's golf team, head coach Nick Clinard announced on Thursday.
Crowe, who was named the 2013 South Carolina Junior Player of the Year by the South Carolina Junior Golf Association, had a 72.97 stroke average in 2014. He had seven top 10 finishes in 2014 highlighted by winning the Jimmy Creed Invitational. Attending Hilton Head Christian Academy, he is ranked as the No. 3 player in the state of South Carolina by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard.
Crowe was the 2013 South Carolina Jay Haas Player of the Year, winning seven tournaments in 2013, four times in 2014 and is a three-time Can-Am Team participant. He was both a member of the winning Carolinas-Virginias Team Matches and the 2012 Easley Class 4A state championship team.
"Trace has played and won many events throughout the Carolinas and has a very bright future ahead," said Clinard. "He has an excellent build for golf and was the 2013 South Carolina Junior Golfer of the Year. He's a winner who is extremely competitive, and I expect big things from him during his college career."
Huff is ranked as the 54th best prospect in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Idaho by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard and has a 72.33 stroke average in 2014. He was named the 2014 Pacific Northwest Junior Boys Player of the Year by the by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association. Attending Cole Valley Christian School, he is a member of the 2014 AJGA HP Scholastic Honor Roll. Huff is the 2014 AJGA PING Phoenix Junior Champion, was the runner-up at the AJGA Ryan Moore Junior Championship and finished third at the 2014 Idaho State Amateur Championship.
"Graysen is the reigning Pacific Northwest Player of the Year who has played all over the world as a junior golfer," said Clinard. "He's still new to the game as he's only played competitively for a few years; however, he's a huge talent that we are really excited about. His father is a PGA Pro, and Graysen is an outstanding student of the game."
Lawrence was a three-time VHSL State High School Champion and a two-time VSGA Junior Match Play Champion. He was the 2013 Mid-Atlantic Amateur Champion and was the Valentine Invitational Champion. Attending Mills E. Godwin High School, he is ranked as the 57th best prospect in the nation by the National Golf Scoreboard while having a 71.35 stroke average in 2014.
"Mark is the best player in the state of Virginia and has already proven he can compete at the highest level with his 2013 Mid-Atlantic Amateur Championship," Clinard said. "Mark is a big, strong kid who plays with a very high level of confidence. His father was an outstanding player as well, and we look forward to his career as an Auburn Tiger."
Solomon is ranked as the 26th best prospect in the nation by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard and is ranked 24th on Golfweek's Top Prospect List for the 2015 class. He competed for the West Team for the Wyndham Cup in 2013 and 2014 which annually selects the top 10 players from the western and eastern sections of the United States.
Solomon shares the AJGA Boys Record for most consecutive wins with three with current Auburn golfer Matt Gilchrest. He is a two-time captain of the Dublin High School team while leading the team to its first-ever state championship appearance in 2014. He has three wins and nine top 10 finishes at the national level.
"Jacob is a big-time player from California who has participated on the past two AJGA Wyndham Cup Teams," said Clinard. "He's played on the national stage and proven that he's one of the top players in the nation. We are excited that he's a part of this phenomenal class."
This is one of the most impressive signing classes in Auburn golf history.
"This class is one of the best in the nation and one that the Auburn Family should be excited about," said Clinard. "These four young men all come from excellent families, and we are truly elated about their futures. They are very talented and bring different elements to our team.
"We have definitely addressed our needs from a talent and competitive standpoint which, in return, will help us win championships. The future of Auburn Golf is worth watching."
The Tigers return to action at the Amer Ari Invitational at the King's Course in Waikoloa, Hawai'I Feb. 5-7. For the most up to date information, follow us on Twitter @AUMensGolf or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AUMensGolf.