By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's and women's golf teams announced the addition of four total players for the 2018-19 athletic seasons.
The Golden Eagle women's team adds one signee to a team that boasts just a single senior. The Tech men's squad, which contains two senior members, signs three incoming freshman for next season.
Here's a look at the signees for the 2017-18 season:
HEIDI LAWSON
Hometown: Kodak, Tenn.
High School: Northview Academy
Lawson was a five-year letterwinner in golf at Northview Academy, starting her career in eighth grade. She took home the Sevier County Championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and also claimed regional championships all three years.
In each of her four years in high school and final four of her time as a member of the Northview Academy golf team, Lawson qualified for the TSSAA state golf tournament, collecting top-10 finishes as a sophomore and again as a senior.
COACH BROWN'S TAKE
"We are very excited to have Heidi come aboard next fall. She is an outstanding young lady who takes the game very seriously and has an intense work ethic. We look for her to come in and make an impact right away."
BRYCE BEELER
Hometown: Maryville, Tenn.
High School: Maryville High School
Beeler will join the Tech men's golf team after lettering for four years at Maryville High School, posting a nine-hole scoring average of 35. He took home All-County honors three times and led MHS to district runner-up finishes each of his four years.
He has posted four wins on the TGA Junior Tour and was selected to participate in the Sneds Tour Tournament of Champions. Beeler took home a top-20 finish at the 2017 AJGA Scott Stallings Tournament and a top-three showing at the Prep Xtra Masters Boys Tournament.
COACH BROWN'S TAKE
"We are looking forward to Bryce's arrival. He has some very good tournament experience that we believe will serve him well as he begins his career at Tech. This young man has a load of potential that we cannot wait to see play out in the future."
CADE PURYEAR
Hometown: Riceville, Tenn.
High School: Walker Valley High School
Puryear joins the Golden Eagle men's golf team after lettering at Walker Valley High School. He led WVHS to district titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017. He also led his team to region championships as a sophomore, junior and senior.
As a senior, he took home both district and regional championships as an individual. During his junior year, he won the 2016 Egwani Farms Junior Invitational individual championship.
COACH BROWN'S TAKE
"Cade has family ties here at Tech, given that his father played football here. Although he will be here for golf, it is exciting to see that lineage continue starting in the fall. He has a tremendous desire to work and improve every day, which we expect to carry over once he arrives."
CHANCE TAYLOR
Hometown: Gate City, Va.
High School: Gate City High School
Chance played his prep golf at Gate City High School, winning district Player of the Year honors all four years. He took home All-District honors each of those year, as well as All-Region honors twice. He was named Region Player of the Year once and took home All-State honors two times, tying for eighth and tying for third.
He broke the course record at Lonesome Pine Country Club with a 61 in the Region Tournament and also won an NJGT National Championship. Throughout his high school career, he won 40 junior events, all while holding a 3.9 GPA .
COACH BROWN'S TAKE
"Chance has wanted to come to Tech ever since we started recruiting him. He brings with him a wealth of tournament experience and some low very low scores that should help him adjust very quickly. We believe that he will be a tremendous asset to our program and are excited to have him for the next four or five years."
