By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men’s golf roster is shaping up nicely for the coming seasons, with the recent signing of National Letters of Intent by three Tennessee high school standouts who will be joining coach Polk Brown’s team in August.
Brown’s newest acquisitions include Jacob Bailey from Signal Mountain, Tenn., Dabney Dickenson of Brentwood, Tenn., and Charles Seals from Hendersonville, Tenn. The three will join November signee Cameron Yeary as the true freshmen on a young Golden Eagle roster.
“This group of young men will be solid building blocks to our program,” Brown said. “We will be very young next year with no seniors, as far as golf is concerned. It is an exciting time for Tech Men’s Golf, and we believe there is a lot of success in store for these young men in the future.”
The son of Jonathan and Michelle Bailey, Jacob Bailey was a four-year letterman for coach Rodney Mitchell at Signal Mountain High School. He plans to major in business.
Bailey served as team captain in his senior season for the Eagles, working his way to a second-place individual finish in both the district and regional tournaments in 2015. He placed 17th in the 2015 TSSAA state tournament, and was fourth in the Chattanooga Best of Preps tournament as well.
“We are very excited to have Jacob come aboard next fall,” Brown said. “He brings a strong worth ethic, both on the golf course and in the classroom. He has a strong desire to win and help the team, and we believe that he’ll be a great contributor to the program.”
Dabney Dickenson is the son of Reuben and Laura Dickenson, and a four-year letter winner for coach Bud Robison at Brentwood High School. Planning to major in engineering, he was a versatile, two-sport athlete during his prep career, including three years on the baseball team and four with the golf program.
He helped the Bruins capture the 2015 district and region championships, finishing fourth individually in the district and ninth at the region tournament. He also helped the team advance to the TSSAA state championship where the Bruins captured the title, the first state championship in school history on the links.
“Being a two-sport athlete, Dabney brings a unique skill set to our team,” Brown said. “Having played both baseball and golf, he already has a great understanding of the team concept which is critical to our team’s success in the coming years. He is a raw talent, and we look forward to developing his game further in his time here.
Tech’s third signee, Charles Seals is the son of Carol and Sutherland Seals, and a four-year letterwinner for coach Andy Gilley at Hendersonville High School. Like Dickenson, he will also study engineering, and joins former prep teammate Landon Albert, who will be a redshirt freshman in the 2016-17 season.
Seals enjoyed a decorated career with the Commandoes, and also had much success individually on the junior golf circuit. He helped his high school team capture the 2013 TSSAA state championship. During his final season, he played in the Tennessee State Open Championship, finishing 43d with scores of 74-71-77-222. He was also a PGA Junior Championship Qualifier, placing fourth with rounds of 67 and 73 for a 140 total.
His resume this past year also includes a fifth place finish at the AJGA Pre Season Junior Championships at Fieldstone Golf Club at 78-73—151, and he won his TGA Junior Tour Spring Match Play, 4-and-3.
“Charles is an exceptional young man who quietly goes about his business on the course,” Brown said. “Having played at Hendersonville High School, he comes to our program with a championship pedigree as his team has previously won a state title. We look forward to him coming aboard next fall and making an immediate impact on the team.”
The addition of these four incoming freshman, along with Albert beginning his playing career after a redshirt season, will give Brown and the Golden Eagles one of the youngest rosters in team history. Five of the nine players on the roster will be freshmen.
