Trio Of Prep Standouts Join Nationally-Recognized Ferris State Men's Golf Program

Big Rapids, Mich. - A trio of high-level standouts have announced plans to join the nationally-ranked Ferris State University men's golf program as head coach Kyle Wittenbach signed in-state additions Thomas Hursey (Suttons Bay) and Daniel Shattuck (East Tawas/Tawas Area) along with England native George Albone (Ware, England) during the recent fall signing period.

All three will join the program this coming fall as freshmen during the 2018-19 campaign.

"These three will be tremendous additions to our program and we're looking forward to their arrival," Wittenbach said. "George is a student of the game that already has some great tools on the course and his approach to learning sets him apart.

"Thomas has had great athletic and academic success thus far in his life and we're excited to bring his strengths to our program," he added. "Finally, Daniel simply 'gets it' and we couldn't be happier to add him as he's exactly the type of player everyone wants on their team."

Albone hails from Ware, in Hertfordshire, England, and prepped at Richard Hale School. He owns a competitive low round of 69 (-4) set at the Essendon Country Club in their junior open last summer. The talented signee is the son of Kevin and Nicole Albone and plans to major in Professional Golf Management (PGM) at Ferris State.

"I'm excited to have signed with Ferris State and looking forward to becoming part of the team while working with my new teammates and Coach Wittenbach," said Albone.

Meanwhile, Hursey is the son of Todd and Nichole Hursey and plans to major in Pre-Optometry at Ferris State. The senior at Suttons Bay High School notched a low round of 71 (-1) in the GAM Championship held at Eagle Eye Golf Club.

"I'm thrilled to become a Bulldog," said Hursey. "The tradition of strong academics and a championship golf team made this an easy decision for me."

Finally, Shattuck also owns a competitive low round of 71 (-1) set in the 2016 Division 3 State Championships and has competed for Tawas Area High School. He plans to major in Professional Golf Management and is the son of Dan and Jennifer Shattuck.

"I am beyond excited to grow at Ferris State as both a student and an athlete," he said. "I absolutely can't wait to be part of such a recognized program, as well as push myself and my game to the best of its abilities not only for the team, but also for the university."

Under Wittenbach's direction a year ago, Ferris State advanced to the national quarterfinals at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championships in Florida last May. FSU was the only school outside of the state of Florida or South Carolina to finish among the top seven teams in the country in stroke play. The Bulldogs fell to eventual national champion Florida Southern in the round of eight.

The Bulldogs made their 15th all-time national championships appearance and first berth since 2010 after a runner-up finish in the super regional championships. Ferris State's current 15-year NCAA Championship appearance streak in men's golf ranks as one of the longest active stretches in the country.

The national quarterfinal appearance capped off what was an exciting first season for the Bulldogs under Wittenbach, a FSU alum. The Bulldogs won four tournaments last fall, earned a top 10 national ranking, claimed runner-up honors at the Super Regional Championship and placed a school-best seventh overall in stroke play at the national championships last season before earning a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight.

The Bulldogs will resume their quest for championship success this spring when competition resumes in March.