University of Tennessee Athletics
Pettitt, Spickard Sign With Vol Golf Team
November 13, 2003 | Men's Golf
Nov. 13, 2003
Tennessee head men's golf coach Jim Kelson announced the signing of Philip Pettitt and Ben Spickard to letters of intent to play golf at UT beginning in the fall of 2004.
"Signing Philip and Ben is precisely the type of break our program has needed," Kelson said. "Originally, we had not intended to sign anyone in the 2004 class due to squad size limitations and team youth. However, given the interest of two nationally recognized players, we felt out program could not pass up the opportunity to sign two young men of this caliber."
Pettitt, who hails from Murfreesboro, Tenn., attended Oakland High School. He was runner-up at the 2003 Tennessee State Amateur, which was played at Holston Hills Country Club. While finishing second, Pettitt beat Casey Wittenberg, the No. 1-ranked amateur in the United States with a scorecard of 67-73-70-65--275. He also has finishes of 10th at the 2003 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Bluegrass Invitational and a tie for 15th at the AJGA Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Junior Classic.
Pettitt also made appearances in the Tennessee AAA state golf tournament all four years of high school. He finished 17th as a freshman, seventh as a sophomore, sixth as a junior and fourth as a senior. He is currently ranked 49th in the nation by the Golfweek/Titleist Performance Index.
Spickard comes to the Vols from Roswell, Ga. where he attended Centennial High School. He brings an impressive AJGA resume to the Vols that includes a 1st-place finish at the 2003 Ringgold Telephone Company Junior Classic after shooting a 68-68-71--207. He also has other finishes of fourth at the 2002 Future Masters, a tie for ninth at the First American Title Avila Junior Classic and a tie for 18th at the HP Boys Junior Championship.
Spickard currently stands 66th in the nation by the Golfweek/Titlest Performance Index.
"Ben and Philip have demonstrated the ability to compete at the highest levels," Kelson said. "Both of these young men possess the desire and work ethic necessary to become premier intercollegiate golfers. Perhaps most importantly, these two have a passion to play for the University of Tennessee. Without a doubt, Philip and Ben will play huge roles in the future sucess of Tennessee men's golf."
