GNAC Golf

2008-09 Recruits

Northwest Nazarene

Grunig To Play For Crusaders (8/4/08)

Zach Grunig, from Eagle High School, has signed a National Letter-of-Intent to attend Northwest Nazarene and play golf for the Crusaders.

Grunig helped the Mustangs capture the 2008 Idaho 5A state championship this past spring and was also a part of three straight Idaho 5A District III championship teams. As a sophomore, he finished fifth overall at the 5A state championships, following the first of the three district team titles.

“To say that I am excited that Zach has chosen NNU is an understatement,” NNU coach Craig Stensgaard said. “Zach is both a gifted player and a terrific student and I am really looking forward to his career at NNU.”

In competition this summer, Grunig finished tied for 12th at the 2008 Idaho State Amateur Championship, held at Blackfoot Golf Course and has also been the medalist in three Idaho Junior Golf events this summer (Falcon Crest GC - 73, Warm Springs GC - 68, Shadow Valley GC - 69).

“Zach had a great spring with his Eagle High School team and has followed it up with some excellent play this summer,” Stensgaard added. “The experience he has gained over the last three months is great and will serve him well this year. He will be a factor for us right away.”

Most recently, Grunig finished tied for third at the Treasure Valley Junior Championships held at Spurwing Country Club in Boise, firing rounds of 69 and 72 to finish one-stroke back of the leader. Heading into the Idaho Junior State Championships he is ranked third overall on the 2008 Idaho Junior State Rankings list released on July 28th.

Western Washington

Two Sign To Play Golf For Vikings (11/21/07)

Sandy Vaughan, a senior at O'Dea High School in Seattle, and Jake Webb, a senior at Skyline High School in Issaquah, have each signed national letters of intent to play golf at Western Washington University.

Last summer Vaughan placed third at the Washington Junior Golf Association Championships after finishing first at sub-district and second at district. He won the Metro League fall championship and has been the Jefferson Park Golf Course Men's Club champion the last three years.

Webb finished second at the WJGA state championship in 2007 and fifth in 2005. He is a three-time KingCo league all-star, placing ninth at the 2006 Class 4A state championship, and was a quarterfinalist at the 2007 Pacific Northwest Golf Association Boys Amateur.

2007-08 Recruits

MSU Billings

Three Golfers Sign With Yellowjackets (5/21/07)

Three Montana prep golfers have signed letters of intent to play for Montana State University Billings next season. Men's player Paul Johns of Anaconda and women's players Shayla Couture of Ronan and Lindsay Erickson of Clancy will become Yellowjackets in the fall.

Johns lettered four years at Anaconda High School . He placed sixteenth at this year's Class A state tournament, posting rounds of 79 and 77. Johns was a divisional champion in 2005 and earned all-conference honors in 2004 and 2005. The Copperheads won divisional titles in 2004 and 2005.

“MSU Billings appealed to me because it had both the academic and athletic programs I was interested in,” said Johns. “I have looked over the golf program, and I think I will really enjoy it. I also enjoy the small campus along with the small class sizes.”

Couture lettered three times in golf, four times in basketball, and once in softball at Ronan High School . She led the Maidens to a fourth place team finish at the state meet with rounds of 85 and 88. Couture earned all-state honors twice, placing fifth at the Class A state tournament as a senior and ninth as a junior. She had an 85 average this season and won three tournaments.

“I wanted to attend a home state college,” said Couture. “MSU Billings is a smaller, friendlier college. I was looking to play golf, and MSUB offered me the opportunity.”

Erickson lettered four years at Helena High School . She helped the Bengals to runner-up finishes at the state tournament in 2003 and 2004. As a senior, Erickson was the Bengals' team MVP, placing second at the Class AA state tourney. She carded rounds of 84 and 83 to finish three strokes off the lead. Erickson also played on the Montana team in the Montana/Alberta Cup.

“MSU Billings is a perfect fit for both my athletic and academic needs,” said Erickson. “I will benefit by being at a relatively small college where my professors will acknowledge my commitment to the Yellowjacket golf team. I am eager for my future golf career at MSU Billings. Moreover, Billings is close to my hometown where my family resides, and I am blessed with all their support.”