Upstate Golf Signs Three Early
11/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 30, 2007
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate head golf coach Todd Lawton announces the signing of three players - two men and one woman - to national letters of intent during the early signing period. Joining the men's golf program are Scott Boston and Nick Urso, while Natalie Buch will join the women's program. All three will begin play for the Spartans in the fall of 2008.
Boston (Fort Mill, S.C.) is a standout on the Fort Mill High School team. He has played at the No.1 position on the team the last two seasons. He had a standout season in 2007, finishing second at the 4A Regionals with a 1-over-par 74-71=145 total. He finished the year with a 37.9 stroke average and was named the team Most Valuable Player.
In addition to his high school career, he has been active on the junior golf circuit. He finished second at the SCJGA All-Stars tournament played at Pickens County Club. He finished with a 1-under 70-73=143 total. He also finished tied for second at the SCJGA Four Ball Championships playing with teammate Brett Snyder. The tandem finished the tournament with an 11-under 66-67=133 total. He finished tied for 17th at the 9th Annual Blade Junior tournament played at Thornblade Country Club in Greenville. He was tied for 31st in the South Carolina Junior Championship played at Orangeburg Country Club. An standout student, Boston carries a 3.4 GPA and is active in the school chorus and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"What impresses me most about Scott is his work ethic," said Lawton. "He is dedicated to his game, loves to practice, and has all the tools to be a great player. He has plenty of length while boasting a great touch around the greens. He also comes from a great high school program. Fort Mill has produced some great talent, including our own Jamie Lightsey. Scott will be a great addition to our program and I am proud he selected Upstate."
Urso (Lakw Worth, Fla.) spent the last year at Park Vista High School in Florida after moving away from his native New York after his sophomore year. He shot a 72 last month to win the individual title at the District 19 Championships held at Hamlet Country Lub in Delray Beach, Fla. He claimed three first-place finishes during the spring of 2007. He won the South Florida PGA Series at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo with a score of 67-71=138 (-5) to win by eight strokes. He claimed first place at the South Florida PGA Series at the Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill with a 1-under 71. He won the Metropolitan New York PGA Junior Series Championship in Westchester, N.Y., with a 1-under 71.
In addition to his first-place finishes, Urso finished in a tie for 13th in the AJGA tournament at Magnolia Landing in Ft. Myers, Fla. He finished with an even-par three-round total of 216. His 67 in the final round was the low round for the tournament. He was tied for 31st at the Future Masters in Dothan, Ala.
The son of a PGA Teaching Professional, Urso also had a standout year in 2006 in New York. He won the New York State Boys' Junior Qualifier, the Met PGA Junior Series title at St. Andrews Country Club and the Big "T" qualifier at Nevel Grande Country Club. Urso is also a solid student in the classroom, carrying a 3.2 GPA.
"Nick has a tremendous amount of talent," said Lawton. "He knows how to post low scores and manages his way around the course very well. He works hard at his game and has the ability to play well in any condition. I feel he will adjust quickly to our hectic schedule and will impact our program in a positive way."
Buch (McHenry, Ill.) is a standout on the Marian Central Catholic High School girls' golf team. She won the McHenry County 2A region championship in 2006 and was a sixth-place finisher in 2007. She has won one tournament and finished second in another this fall. She was named the team Most Valuable Player in 2006 and earned the Coaches Award. She has been selected as the Northwest Herald Player of the Week and the Woodstock Independent Athlete of the Week. In addition to her golf prowess, she has earned All-Academic honors and carries a 3.5 GPA.
Buch has been active on the junior circuit as well. She won the 2007 McHenry County Junior championship with a 1-under 71. She also won the Bartlett and McHenry County Invitational tournaments. She has participated on the Illinois State Tournament Players Series, competing in the Bettinaldi, Old Orchard, Robert Kellman and Cross Creek Invitationals.
"Natalie has a lot of energy and truly embodies the passion necessary to excel at golf," said Lawton. "She has become a great player despite her limited playing schedule because of a short season in the Midwest. She is well-rounded and eager to join our program. I am excited about her choosing Upstate and look forward to her joining us next fall."
