The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Men's Golf Adds Three For 2011-12 Campaign
7/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
July 20, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB head coach Alan Kaufman announced the addition of three golfers who will compete for the Blazers beginning in the Fall of 2011. Conner Pratt (Birmingham, Ala./Coastal Carolina/Spain Park HS), Paul Dunne (Dublin, Ireland) and Ryan Davie (Aberdare, Wales) are the newest additions to the UAB men's golf program.
"I am very excited about this year's signing class," Kaufman said. "All three are capable of stepping in and seeing immediate playing time. We are looking forward to them joining our team."
Pratt comes to UAB after playing one season at Coastal Carolina. A native of Birmingham, Ala., Pratt played in four events during his rookie season with the Chanticleers in 2010-11. His best result of the year came at the Gary Koch Intercollegiate in which he carded an 8-over par 224 to finish tied for 35th overall.
During his prep career, Pratt helped lead Spain Park High School to a three Alabama Class 6A State team titles. He finished his senior season ranked 50th in the class of 2010 by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Golf Rankings after being ranked as high as 17th nationally. At the 2009 Southeast Junior, he posted a 54-hole total of 200, including a 62 and 68, for a commanding 10-shot victory. The 62 was just one shot off the AJGA record and the second-lowest round in the Association's history. As a result, Pratt earned Golfweek National Player of the Week honors and was featured in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" for his victory.
"Conner had an outstanding prep career," Kaufman said. "I fully expect him to have an immediate impact on our team next season."
Dunne was a standout golfer on the Ireland junior circuit. He claimed the 2010 Irish Youths Amateur Championship title with a four-round total of 287 (73-73-71-70), finishing two shots ahead of the competition. He joined a list of past champions that includes professional stars Padraig Harrington and Louis Oosthuizen. Dunne just missed defending his championship title in 2011, missing a 15-foot putt that would have qualified him for a playoff for this year's medalist honor. He instead settled for a respectable third-place finish.
Dunne, considered by many as one of the top golfers in Ireland, is also a member of the Irish Youth National Team and claimed a four-stroke victory at the Irish Under-18 Boys Championship. He was also selected to represent his country at the European Amateur Team Championship at Oceanico Victoria Golf Club, Portugal.
"I consider Paul to be one of the top up-and-coming players around," Kaufman said. "I think he is one of the top prep players we have ever signed here at UAB. I am expecting big things from him in the future."
Davie, a native of Aberdare, Wales, comes from the same hometown as former UAB standouts Chris Cousins and Ryan Thomas. He is considered by many as one of the top Welsh Junior players.
"Ryan is an outstanding player and I hope he has the same type of success as those two guys before him had," Kaufman said. "I think he will be an impact player for us."
Players Mentioned
