Nov. 10, 2006
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - In what could be listed as one of the top recruiting classes in country, UCF men's golf coach Nick Clinard announced Friday three additions to the Golden Knights' program for 2007-08. Kyle Cobb (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon), Jhared Hack (Sanford, Fla./Circle Christian) and Brad Schneider (Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale) all signed National Letters of Intent to play for UCF, and will bring with them some very impressive rankings.
"All three understand what it takes to get to the next level," said Clinard. "They all have trainers and work out hard, and they have lots of experience as they have won at the national level. I expect them to help UCF become a consistent top-10 team."
Kyle Cobb, Tallahassee, Fla./Leon
Cobb ranks seventh in the state of Florida by both the National Junior Golf Scoreboard and the Golfweek Sagarin ratings, with the latter also listing him at 34th in the country (out of the class of 2007). During the 2005-06 season, he claimed first place at the Golden Hills Tournament, carding a one-under 71 in the final round to win by a stroke. In nine total events, he never finished worse than a tie for 16th, which included a tie for second at the Rio Pinar Tournament held at UCF's home course. His performances moved him into fourth in the Florida Junior Tour point system. For Leon High School, Cobb posted a 67 and a 68 in the 2006 FHSAA Boys Class 2A Golf Finals to finish in second. Cobb also competed in the 2006 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
"Kyle is an excellent student and a big, strong kid that can help us immediately," said Clinard. "He's had lots of success, had a great 2006 season and he will continue to get better. He was heavily recruited by some ACC schools, but he saw the product that UCF is producing athletically and academically and we feel UCF is the best fit for him to become the best player he can be."
Jhared Hack - Sanford, Fla./Circle Christian
Hack is listed as the seventh best player in the country by the Golfweek Sagarin ratings of the class of 2007. He also ranks No. 1 in the state of Florida by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard, was named the Future Collegians World Tour National Player of the Year and earned first team Rolex AJGA All-American honors. One of his biggest victories came at the prestigious Western Junior Championships this year, firing rounds of 68-70-71-72 to finish with a seven-under 281 and win by three strokes. Hack was selected as the Orlando Sentinel Varsity Player of the Week twice this past season for Circle Christian High School, where he won five straight matches during his senior season.
"Jhared's record speaks for itself," explained Clinard. "He is an outstanding player, one of the best in the country, and a great kid. He's got a beautiful golf swing and lots of intangibles you can't teach, such as heart and guts. I'm confident he can be an all-American and take UCF to places it's never been before. He's the kind of kid that can make everyone around him better because he has those leadership skills and the will to win. He will work perfect for our program, especially since he's had a lot of success here in the area."
Brad Schneider - Valrico, Fla./Bloomingdale
Schneider ranks 16th in the country and fifth in the state of Florida by the Golfweek Sagarin ratings, while also standing in fifth in the state by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard (out of the class of 2007). He recently participated in both the 2006 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club and the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur, where he won in the first round of match play but lost to the eventual champion. Schneider also had two sixth-place finishes in the summer of 2006, making the top 10 at the First American Title Junior Classic and the Mirasol Junior Championship. For Bloomingdale High School, Schneider tied for ninth at the 2005 FHSAA Class 2A Boys Golf Finals, while he also went to the state tournament as a sophomore.
"Brad is a guy that's got tremendous heart and a terrific work ethic," said Clinard. "He has the ability to shoot low scores as evident by the scores he shot in the AJGA in the summer. He can help us right away and add some serious competitiveness to the team. His experience will play a huge part in his transformation to UCF. His build also makes him possess a lot of speed in his golf swing, and he's got great touch in his hands. He will be a great player in college."
This year's UCF men's team returns to the course Feb. 10-11 at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.