Lawton Announces Men's Golf Signings
6/4/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Spartanburg, S.C. – With four seniors departing from the 2012-13 squad, USC Upstate head men's golf coach Todd Lawton has announced the signing of three high school standouts to national letters of intent to begin play this fall.
Signing to become Spartans this fall were Grant De Gorter (Cornelius, N.C.), Andrew Purcell (Salisbury, N.C.) and Taylor White (Duncan, S.C.). The three join fall signee Trey Taylor, from Gaffney, S.C., to form Upstate's four-man recruiting class for 2013.
De Gorter has been a four-year member of the varsity team at the Cannon School in Concord, N.C. He finished 2013 with a 38.1 stroke average over nine holes, highlighting the year by leading the team with a fourth-place finish at the Irish Creek High School Invitational after shooting 72. He recorded the lowest round on his team as a junior, posting a 69 during tournament play. Prior to the start of his senior season, he turned in a strong year in junior golf in 2012. He won the Dogwood State Junior Qualifier and the TYGA River Run Tournament, while claiming second at the PGA Tour Superstore Junior Masters in Georgia. Also driven off the course, he helped spearhead the fundraising campaign that raised more than $4,000 for his high school golf team this past spring.
"Grant is motivated and driven," said Lawton. "He has lots of talent and I especially like his passion for hard work. His resume includes not only managing his game, but leading his teammates to great things on and off the course. As a goal oriented person, I expect him to push himself and our team to be as great as possible and I know he will make our program better in many ways."
Purcell has been the No. 1 player on his Carson High School team and has received several individual honors throughout his high school career. The North Piedmont Conference Player of the Year as a senior, he finished third at the Region Championship and claimed a Top 20 finish in the 3A State Tournament as an individual qualifier. He won the conference championship after shooting 3-under-par 69 at the Warrior Golf Club. He was also an All-Region and All-County selection. He finished tied for fourth with fellow Spartan signee Grant De Gorter with a 72 at the Irish Creek High School Invitational and turned in a strong outing at the 2012 U.S. Amateur Sectional Qualifying Tournament with a 72. He was also a member of Carson's boys' basketball team. In addition to his play on the course, he has been a dedicated volunteer with Rowan Helping Ministries, which delivers meals to needy individuals.
"Andrew was a standout player on a high school team that lacked a lot of depth," said Lawton. "He was focused on accomplishing so much while supporting his team and that is a great quality. He is a multi-sport athlete who is able to make birdies and stay in it when he's struggling. I am excited about his perseverance and commitment to being his best."
White is the second signee from the Upstate area to sign with the Spartans this year. The two-time, back-to-back Upper State medalist in 2012 and 2013 from Byrnes High School, he shot 5-under-par 67 at Willow Creek Golf Course to win by five strokes as a senior in 2013. He parlayed that success into a fifth-place effort at the 4A State Tournament played at Furman, shooting rounds of 75, 76 and 71 en route to earning All-State honors. He played in the South Carolina North/South All-Star Tournament, leading his team to a 13 ½-2 ½ victory while winning all three of his matches. He was an all-tournament selection at the Rebel Invitational and the Georgia/South Carolina Cup, while winning the Spartanburg County High School Tournament at Woodfin Ridge Country Club. He finished his senior season with a 35.7 nine-hole stroke average. He is also the reigning Spartanburg County Junior Champion. He also earned All-Region, All-County and All-Area honors. He was solid as a junior as well, averaging 37.4 per nine holes and taking home All-Region, All-County, All-Area and All-Academic honors. He turned in a strong academic career as well as an AP student at Byrnes.
"Taylor has proven himself in the classroom and on the course, and his skill set in all areas is very strong," said Lawton. "He makes the game fun and also is very diligent in managing the course. He has plenty of length and putts well. He is a good athlete and loves competition. I am looking forward to him making significant contributions early and often for us. I am sure he will be a leader."
Follow the Spartans on your mobile device, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
