Nov. 9, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. - Andrew Kozan, Brandon Mancheno, Marcus Svensson, Jake Milanowski and Wells Padgett and have signed a national letter of intent to attend Auburn University and play for the men’s golf team in 2017-18, head coach Nick Clinard announced on Wednesday.
“Today is an extremely special day for the Auburn men’s golf program,” Clinard said. “We have signed one, if not the best, class in the nation and one that we feel ecstatic about. All five come from outstanding families and have great character and integrity. Their skill set speaks for itself as they have achieved countless accolades at the national and world-wide level. We can’t wait to have this group arrive next fall and look forward to working with them each day.”
Kozan, a West Palm Beach, Fla., native, is ranked as the No. 17 best prospect in the nation according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard. He is a two-time Rolex American Junior Golf Association All-American and won the Puerto Rico Junior Open which earned him an exemption to play in his first PGA Tour event, the Puerto Rico Open in 2015.
Kozan finished runner-up twice in 2016 on the AJGA at the Junior Players Invitational and the Haas Family Invitational. He was the 2015 Florida 1A High School State Champion at the King’s Academy.
“Andrew is a talented athlete and a proven player on the national level which will help him in the transition to college,” Clinard said. “He has tremendous leadership qualities, and we are excited about his future at Auburn.”
Mancheno, from Jacksonville, Fla., is ranked as the No. 15 best prospect in the nation in the GolfWeek/Sagarin rankings. He was named to the 2015 AJGA Junior All-Star team and was medalist at the 2015 USGA Junior Amateur Championship. He is a two-time Rolex AJGA All-American from 2015 and 2016.
Mancheno was the 2015 Florida State Golf Association Junior Player of the Year and won the 3A Florida State Championship as a senior at Mandarin High. He is the current 2016 St. Augustine Amateur Champion.
“Brandon is a highly ranked prospect who comes with a tremendous amount of ability,” Clinard said. “He’s a proven winner who is one of the best ball-strikers in the nation. We are excited about his future and what he will bring to the program.”
Svensson, a Halmstad, Sweden, native is the No. 1 player in Sweden, according to the European Golf Rankings. He was the 2015 British Boys Champion and finished third at the 2015 Toyota Junior World Championship. In 2016, he finished sixth at the European Amateur Championship and was a member of the prestigious 2016 European Junior Ryder Cup team and made the cut at the European PGA Tour’s Nordea Masters.
“Marcus is one of the most passionate and driven junior players I’ve ever recruited,” Clinard said. “He’s played at a high level worldwide which will enable him to have much success during his four years at Auburn.”
Milanowski, from Peachtree City, Ga., joins Auburn as the Junior Golf Scoreboard’s No. 81 ranked prospect in the nation. He was the 2016 AJGA EZ-GO Vaughn Taylor Champion. The Landmark Christian School product finished fifth at the AJGA Wells Fargo and 10th at the AJGA Puerto Rico Junior Open in 2016.
“Jake is a fine young man and a great ambassador for Auburn,” Clinard said. “He’s had much success at the junior level and has an incredible work ethic. He has a bright future at Auburn, and we are happy he’s a part of our family.”
Padgett, a Wichita, Kan., native, is ranked 35th in the nation, according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard. He was the 2015 Big I National Champion and the 2016 AJGA Under Armour Gary Woodland Champion.
Padgett broke the Oklahoma Junior Golf Tour’s 18 hole scoring record with a 61 at the Kickingbird Fall Challenge in 2015. The Maize South product is a two-time U.S. Junior Match-Play participant.
“Wells is the No. 1 ranked player in Kansas that brings an excellent attitude and huge upside to the program,” Clinard said. “He’s had much success at the national level and will be a huge asset to our program.”