By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The future is of the Tennessee Tech men's golf team is one step closer to hitting the links as Golden Eagle head coach Polk Brown announced the 2015 signing class recently, welcoming three signees to the program.
Joining the Tech squad for the 2015-16 campaign are Tennessee natives Mark Dalton (pictured far left) from Knoxville, Matthew Giles (center) from Alcoa and Landon Albert (far right) from Hendersonville.
"These three young men are outstanding additions to our program," Brown said. "Each of them has achieved the highest level of success in Tennessee as each has been a part of state championship teams. They know what it takes to win. They bring a lot of championship pedigree, and we look for them to further instill that mindset on this squad. We can't wait to have them aboard next fall."
Here's a closer look at the 2015 signing class:
Mark Dalton – Farragut High School (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Dalton led Farragut High School to the 2014 TSSAA Class AAA title last season, helping the team edge out a three-stroke victory behind a 142. He tied for sixth place overall after carding rounds of 70 and 72. He also captured the PrepXtra Masters title over the summer and tied for 19th overall at the Scott Stallings / Under Armour AJGC Championship as well.
"I'm just really excited to get to Tech next fall," Dalton said. "Coach [Brown] has done a great job with the players he has now and bringing new ones in. I plan to work hard this upcoming spring and summer so that I can make an immediate impact as a Golden Eagle."
Matthew Giles – Alcoa High School (Alcoa, Tenn.)
While at Alcoa High School, Giles led his team to the 2013 Class A/AA State title, tying for fifth individually after firing off rounds of 71 and 73 for a 144. Alcoa won the championship by a staggering 17 strokes as Giles collected PrepXtra First-Team honors. He also tied for 15th at the Tennessee Junior Amateur as well as at the Scott Stallings / Under Armour AJGC Championship.
"I am very excited to be joining the Tech golf team next year," Giles said. "It has been great getting to know Coach Brown over the past year. I feel like he will coach the team to its highest potential and get the most out of our abilities. I am looking forward to getting to know the team and enjoying four great years as a Golden Eagle."
Landon Albert – Hendersonville High School (Hendersonville, Tenn.)
In 2014, Albert helped Hendersonville to a third place finish at the TSSAA Class AAA State Championships after helping the team take the state title in 2013. Prior to the State Championships, he took home a runner-up finish as an individual at the Class AAA Regionals, leading to a First-Team All-County honor.
"I am proud to call myself a Golden Eagle now and am more than ready to get my Tech career started this fall," Albert said. "Coach Brown is really working to get this program moving in the right direction. There is nothing but great things to come."
Photo credits to the Tennessean, the Daily Times, and the Knoxville News Sentinel
