The University of Akron Athletics
A Pair of Ohio Golfers Sign National Letters of Intent
November 21 | Men's Golf
Akron, Ohio – The University of Akron men's golf team added a pair of talented golfers from Ohio during the early signing period head coach David Trainor announced. Signing National Letters of Intent to play for the 2016-17 campaign are Mitchell McFarland and Harrison Vonderau.
"I am very proud of this class," Trainor said. "The state of Ohio has a lot of talent, and I am glad we were able to keep two of them in state and welcome them both to the Zips Family. Both of these young men come from good families and will represent the Zips Nation with class."
McFarland, a Wheelersburg native, attends Wheelersburg High School where he set a new standard in every category by rewriting all the Pirates golf records, including scoring average with 34.66 strokes, low 9-hole round at 28 strokes, and low 18-hole round of 67 strokes. The Academic All-Ohio recipient was the first ever four-time Southern Ohio Conference Player of the Year while garnering four high school MVP awards and four Southeast Ohio All-District honors. In his career, he won 52 medalist awards.
On the Golfweek Midwest Tour, McFarland managed eight medalist performances en route to being selected as the Golfweek Midwest Tour Player of Year in 2013. He shot a career-low 66 at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Ind. In 32 events played, he finished in the Top 25 every time, including ten Top 5 finishes and seven Top 10's. He captured third place at the 2014 Golfweek Midwest Invitational and was a USGA junior qualifier.
"I have watched Mitchell play for the past 4 years, and even though he has accomplished a great deal, I think his best golf is ahead of him," Trainor said. "He is a very long hitter and a great putter – two things that will serve him well at the collegiate level. I am thrilled to have Mitchell, and look forward to helping him achieve his goals."
Vonderau is from St. Ignatius High School and ranks third among the 2016 graduates in Ohio. He is a two-time first team All-Ohio selection and played as an individual for the Division I state championship on two occasions. The Columbia Station native, finished runner-up in 2014 and third in 2015. He led the Wildcats to a Top 4 finish, assisting with wins at Windmill Lakes Golf Course and Quail Hollow Golf Course where he carded 70 and 71, respectively.
Vonderau fired a pair of 69's at various AJGA events, and was an Ohio Optimist Champion with a low-round 67 as a junior. At two separate PGA Junior Series events, he earned medalist at Purdue's Kampen Course and third at Westbrook Country Club. He is a five-time Northern Ohio PGA junior champion. In addition, Vonderau was featured on the Golf Channel's Drive, Chip & Putt as a national finalist.
"I am equally thrilled to welcome Harrison to the University of Akron," Trainor said. "Harrison has played some great golf in some great events, and like Mitchell, I think his best golf is ahead of him. I think He is just scratching the surface of what he can do."
The 2015-16 Akron squad will be back in action on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 22-23 in Hilton Head Island, S.C. for the Wexford Intercollegiate at Wexford Plantation.
