Polk Brown inks five newcomers to join Golden Eagle golf teams

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – First-year Tennessee Tech golf coach Polk Brown didn’t waste any time in finding rising young talent to help bolster the Golden Eagle rosters. Brown announced the recent signing of five Tennessee newcomers – two for the women’s team and three on the men’s – who will join the Tech programs in 2012-13.

The women’s newcomers are Allison Geer from Doyle and Megan Williamson from Murfreesboro. Newcomers joining the men’s squad will be Adam Cunningham of Cookeville, Bryce Kendrick of Powell and Mitchell Thomas from Farragut.

Allison Geer is the daughter of Terry and Andrea Geer who is wrapping up her prep career this year at White County High School. An Honors student, Geer will enroll in nursing.

“From the moment I got this job, I have heard nothing but awesome things about Allison,” Brown said. “I’m pumped that she will be one of two girls to usher in my first class on the women’s side.  She is a local product, and from the conversations I’ve had with her, I can tell that she is willing to do whatever it takes to help take this team to the next level.  There is no doubt she will bring a fire to the team during her tenure here.”

Geer has been a standout for four seasons at White County under head coach Eric Mitchell. A three-time District 6AAA Player of the Year, she has made back-to-back appearances in the TSSAA state tournament.

Megan Williamson is the daughter of Todd and Jodi Williams, and a four-year leader for coach Seth Burt on the Blackman High School team. Another Honors student, she will study journalism with a focus on sports broadcasting.

“Megan is very solid.  When I saw her play back in October, her fundamentals and demeanor on the course are what really stood out to me,” Brown said. “She will need these throughout her time here at TTU.  I think that she is going be a great addition to our team, and I look forward to seeing what she brings to the table come next Fall.”

A two-time all-district selection, Williamson was named a Daily News Journal Athlete of the Week. She qualified for the TSSAA state tournament each of the past three years, and earned a Top 25 finish every time. She placed 25^th as a sophomore, and climbed to 12^th as a junior and 13^th as a senior.

Adam Cunningham is a familiar name in Cookeville area golf. The son of Glenn and Lorna Cunningham, he was a four-year letterman for Cookeville High School golf coach Larry Pitts and also lettered twice for the Cavaliers in tennis. He will major in accounting.  

“I am thrilled to have a local player come play for me in what will be my first recruiting class,” Brown said. “Adam is a fine young man with tremendous work ethic.  His desire and passion for the game is something I believe will filter into the rest of my team for many years to come. There is no doubt he is going to be successful both on and off the course.”

Cunningham emerged as one of the top high school players in the state during the past two seasons, earning the Tennessee Male Golfer of the Year award in 2010 while also receiving All-State honors when he placed second in the state tournament. He was the district Player of the Year as a junior and shared the same award as a senior.

In June, he was took first place in the 87^th annual School Days Tournament.

Bryce Kendrick is the son of David and Elizabeth Kendrick and a senior at Grace Christian Academy in Knoxville. An Honor student, he was four-year captain and letterman on the golf team for coaches Johnny Cox and his father, David Kendrick, receiving MVP honors all four seasons. He also lettered four years on the GCA basketball team.
 
“Bryce was someone who flew underneath the radar for this class, and I’m so thankful to have been able to get him to come Tech and represent our golf program,” Brown said. “I think he will bring a tremendous enthusiasm to our team with excellent work ethic as well. He has continually improved each year since taking up the game, and I expect that trend will continue as he embarks on his career here at TTU.”

Kendrick is a three-time all-region player who also earned all-state honors as a senior. He placed second in the TSSAA state tournament with a 36-hole total of four-under par. In the 2011 Prep Xtra Masters he earned a fourth place finish.

Mitchell Thomas is the son of Cary and Libby Thomas and a four-year leader on the golf team at Farragut High School under coach Jonathan Cox. An Honor student, he will study medical technology.

“Mitchell comes from a town (Farragut) that has produced many excellent golfers,” Brown said. “I have no doubt the same will hold true in his case. I believe he will be a tremendous asset to our squad during his time here.  He has a genuine love of the game, he will be an outstanding teammate for the rest of the guys who will be here next year. I look forward to what his future brings here at Tech.”

Thomas is a three-time member of the All-Prep Xtra team and was the 2011 Region 2 medalist. He helped his team capture four consecutive district and region championships, as well as state titles in 2008 and 2009. He has four Junior Tournament wins, multiple top five finished, and has qualified for the Tennessee State Amateur and the State Junior Tournament.