University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Announce Three Golf Signees for 2010 Class
November 11, 2009 | Men's Golf
Nov. 11, 2009
Tennessee head coach Jim Kelson announced Wednesday the addition of signees Max Smith, Brandon Rodgers and Marshall Talkington to the UT men's golf roster. All three will join the Vols in time for the fall 2010 schedule.
"We are very excited about our class of 2010," Kelson said. "Anytime a golf program signs three players, you know that it is a critical recruiting class.
"Certainly this year is no exception. In short, we are thrilled to have these three young men join our program in 2010."
Smith, who hails from Newbury, England, captured the prestigious Peter McEvoy Trophy in 2009 to earn one of four places on the England team at the World Junior Championships in Japan. England finished third and Smith shot 71-71-68-67--277 to finish fifth individually among the junior golfing elite.
He also was selected to the Great Britain and Ireland team for the 2009 Jacques Leglise Trophy competition against the continent of Europe, and was captain of England's Boys Home International squad.
"Max has established himself as one of the finest young players in the world," Kelson said. "He's a mature and seasoned competitor and will be a real leader for our team."
Rodgers, a local product, captured the 2008 Stanford Financial Junior Championship at TPC-Southwind in Memphis by eight shots. He also helped his Farragut High School squad to consecutive Class AAA state championships in 2008 and 2009.
"We are thrilled that Brandon has decided to remain in Knoxville and play for the University of Tennessee," Kelson said. "He has proven to be one of the top players in the U.S., has evidenced by his being named to the 2008 AJGA Rolex All-American team.
"He is an extremely powerful player who can be very explosive. We feel Brandon is just beginning to come into his own at this point."
Rodgers' parents, Deborah and Bryan, both are UT graduates. Bryan Rodgers also has experienced a great deal of success playing the Tennessee amateur golf circuit over the past 20 years.
Talkington, a Jackson native, tied for 15th in the 2009 Tennessee State Amateur held at The Honors Course, competing very well against a number of current Vols in that event. He also tied for the runner-up medal at the 2008 AJGA Knoxville Open and captured the 2009 Baylor Preview championship.
"Marshall is a very fine player and we really are looking forward to the impact he will make on our team," Kelson said. "Marshall has improved significantly over the past two seasons and continues to show great strides."
Talkington's father, Tom, is a PGA Professional and he and his wife, Dana, own the Jackson National Golf Club.
