Men's Golf Signs Three for 2011-12
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 | Men's Golf
Florida men's golf signed three players for 2011-12, head coach Buddy Alexander announced this week. James Monnerville (Vero Beach, Fla.), J.D. Tomlinson (Gainesville, Fla.) and Thomas Stewart (Ponte Vedra/St. Augustine, Fla.) all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Gators beginning in the fall of 2011.
“I'm really excited about these three players,” said Alexander. “They have all had a lot of success in junior golf and we needed a relatively big class because we will be losing a couple of seniors.”
Tomlinson, ranked #15 by Golfweek and #19 by the AJGA, won the AJGA Mizuno Championship in 2010, was a runner-up at the Florida State Junior Championship in 2009 and tied for fifth at the 202 Exide Technologies Junior Open. He was a second-team selection to the 2010 AJGA Rolex Junior All-American Team.
“J.D. is a local guy that brings a lot to the table,” said Alexander. “He has an awesome short game, has gained a lot of experience in the last year and I would expect him to step right in and be very competitive for a spot in the top five. He has a chance to be a big-impact freshman.”
Stewart, ranked #22 by Golfweek and #42 by the AJGA, recorded a second-place finish in the FJT Brooksville CC in 2010 and in the Junior Jones Cup Invitational in 2009. He also tied for seventh in the 2009 Florida State Open.
“Thomas has a lot of intangibles,” said Alexander. “I think he is going to be a terrific player for our program. He hits it hard and long. He has played well in amateur golf in particular, which is impressive to me. When he plays up, he seems to play better and that usually means his transition from high school and junior golf will be pretty easy for him.”
Monnerville, ranked #180 by Golfweek, won the 2009 Innisbrook Easter Classic and the 2009 AJGA Ringgold Championship. He also was the runner-up at the 2009 Florida State Junior Championship and placed third at the Florida State High School Championship in 2010.
“James is a big guy that can hit it hard and a long way,” said Alexander. “He is probably the best ball striker of the three. I think when his short game catches up, he's got a chance to become a terrific player here.”
