Upstate Men's Golf Signs Hopper, Oref
12/5/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Dec. 5, 2008
Spartanburg, S.C. - USC Upstate head men's golf coach Todd Lawton has announced the signing of Matthew Hopper and McKenzie Oref to national letters of intent during the early signing period. Both will begin competition with the Spartans next fall.
Hopper (Gaffney, S.C.) will follow in the footsteps of former Gaffney High School standout Josh Gallman in coming to Upstate from the close-knit community just up Interstate 85 from Spartanburg. He has been a standout on Gaffney's boys' golf team since the eighth grade and is coming off a strong season as a junior last year. He was the Region II-4A medalist after posting rounds of 69-67 in the Region II-4A tournament and led Gaffney to a second-place finish in the 4A state tournament held at the Furman University Golf Course. He finished second in the tournament with a three-round, 3-over-par 219 total, four strokes back of first place and earned 4A All-State and Region II-4A All-Region honors. In all, he has been a member of the Indian golf team that has made three appearances in the 4A state tournament in the last four years. He was a member of the Gaffney team that finished sixth in the 2006 4A state tournament, teaming with Gallman to help lead the Indians. He also had several top finishes during the 2008 season, finishing fourth at the Hardaway High School Invitational in Columbus, Ga., with a 72-71=143 total, fourth at the Hartman Memorial and seventh at the T.W. Memorial hosted by Dorman.
In addition to his high school golf career, Hopper has been solid on the junior circuit. In 2008, he finished tied for eighth at the SCJGA Fall Challenge at Cheraw Country Club after rounds of 74 and 72 and tied for 11th at the SCJGA Players Championship with a 76-74=150 total. In 2007, he finished third at the SCJGA Match Play Championships, 10th at The Blade Junior Championship and 15th at the SCJGA Junior Championships after posting rounds of 75, 76 and 68.
"A talented golfer and excellent student, Matthew's resume boasts low scores and great finishes against the best amateur golfers in South Carolina," Said Lawton. "He makes a lot of birdies and has good length off the tee. He is excited about putting in the work to help us get to the next level. I look forward to him being a Spartan and expect him to make a strong impact immediately."
Oref (Easley, S.C.) has been a member of the Easley High School team since the eighth grade and has helped Easley to four-straight appearances in the 4A state tournament. He follows in the footsteps of current Spartan standout Michael Lawrence in coming to Upstate from Easley. He finished with a 234 total and in 18th place in the 2008 4A state tournament to help Easley to a seventh-place finish in the championships. Easley finished third in the state tournament in 2007, second in 2006 and won the state title in 2005. A Region I-4A All-Region selection as a junior, he was the medalist at the 2007 Patriot High School Invitational played at the Seabrook Island Golf Club. He finished 13th at the T.W. Memorial hosted by Dorman. He carried a 37.6 stroke average in 2008.
In addition to an accomplished junior year at Easley, Oref has been solid on the junior circuit as well. He qualified for the U.S. Junior Nationals at Shoal Creek (Ala.) with a 75-73=148 total at Daniel Island, finishing fourth in his qualifier. He finished tied for fourth at the 2008 SCJGA Upstate Junior Championship at Smithfields Country Club and tied for sixth at the 2008 Junior Rice Planters. He finished tied for 13th at the 2008 SCJGA Players Championship after posting rounds of 76 and 75.
"McKenzie has proven his ability to score in tough conditions against the best competition," said Lawton. "He works hard at his game and is a great ball-striker. One of his best assets is the way he manages the scoring aspect of a tournament round. I am confident he will represent us well and play early and often as a Spartan."
