With three lineup regulars slated to graduate this spring, the Hillsdale College men's golf team was busy on the recruiting trail this summer and fall.
That effort was well worth it, as the Chargers have assembled a three-member recruiting class of talented golfers who have the skills to be able to step in and contribute right away next fall.
Oliver Marshall (Naples, FL/Naples), Ryan O'Rourke (Commerce Township, MI/Walled Lake Northern) and Robert Thompson (Charlotte, NC/Myers Park) will be joining the Chargers in August.
Marshall is a long-time competitor on the American Junior Golf Association and Florida Junior Tour circuits, placing in the top 10 in three FJT events and tying for 13th at the AJGA Junior in Southpointe. His achievements helped him qualify for the 2022 US Junior Amateur Championship in Bandon, Oregon this past summer, playing against some of the top amateur golfers from across the country.
For Naples High School, Marshall was a 2021 individual district champion and finished 11th at the 2021 FHSAA State Championship, while earning first-team Naples Daily News All-Area and All-Region honors. He has a low competitive round of 66 and a handicap of +1.7. Also an excellent student, Marshall has won the Academic Scholar Award at Naples High for three consecutive years, as well as the Georgetown Book award and is a member of the National Honor Society.
O'Rourke is a local prospect from Walled Lake Northern High School with a strong amateur background, including victories at the Michigan Junior Amateur and Junior Invitational in 2019, the same year GAM named him the 15 and under Player of the Year in the state. He's also held his own against more experienced golfers, qualifying for match play at the Michigan Amateur in 2022 and making the cut at the Michigan Medal Play event. He's also played in the US Junior Amateur, qualifying to play against some of the nation's best golfers in 2021.
For his high school team, O'Rourke won 10 of the 17 tournaments he's entered the last two years, and twice earned first team All-State honors with strong finishes in the MHSAA Division 1 state finals. His lowest competitive round is 65 and his handicap is -1. A strong student, O'Rourke is a member of the National Honor Society and a multi-time Academic All-State honoree at Walled Lake Northern.
Thompson is another strong and experienced amateur golfer in his state of North Carolina, with top 10 placings in the 2022 Charlotte City Amateur, 2022 Dogwood State Junior, and 2021 Maple Chase Junior, along with a title at the 2022 CGA One Day Amateur event. He has a 388 Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking and a 73.27 scoring average in 2022 tournaments.
For his high school team at Myers Park, Thompson made the All-Conference team placed fourth in his 4A Regional, and tied for 10th at the 4A Men's Golf State Championship in North Carolina last spring. he has a low competitive round of 67 and a handicap of +2. Also a strong student, Thompson is an AP Scholar and dual-enrolled student at Central Piedmont Community College, making the Dean's List at CPCC for back-to-back semesters.
Photos are courtesy of the signees. From Left -- Marshall, O'Rourke, Thompson