SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Bay Area product Derek Ackerman (Half Moon Bay, CA/Sacred Heart Prep) and Oregon native James Michiel Eyre III (Salem, OR/West Salem HS) both signed a National Letter of Intent to play golf at Santa Clara beginning in 2015, head coach Rob Miller announced today.
"Both are really hard workers," commented Miller. "They are players on the right curve, going in the right direction with their game. They both have a large upside and are young men that are going to continue to improve as they mature. They are a great fit for Santa Clara University and for the team and we expect them to contribute in the long run."
Ackerman, a senior at Sacred Heart Preparatory in Atherton, was named the 2014 San Mateo Daily Journal Boy's Golfer of the Year after finishing as runner-up at the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA) Junior Championship played at Spyglass Hill Golf Course in Pebble Beach in July. He was also tabbed first-team All-West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) and was just the second ever Sacred Heart player to advance to the State Championship.
"Derek had a real good summer, playing at a high level," Miller said. "He really took a step forward in his golf game."
After guiding his team to the NCGA/CIF High School Championship for the first time in school history in 2013, Ackerman was again named first-team All-WBAL and first-team All-Mercury News.
A senior at West Salem High School in Salem, Ore., Eyre is a three-time All-Central Valley Conference selection and All-Mid Valley pick by the Salem Statesman Journal. He completed his junior season with a top 20 finish at the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Class 6A State Championships in May.
Competing in the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) in Tempe, Ariz. earlier this month, Eyre tied for fourth place in a field of 75 golfers with identical rounds of 73.
"We are looking for contributions from these players down the road, but as long as they continue to grow, they will push guys for playing time next season," Miller said. "I'm happy with the signings. What we got are a couple of good kids and good families."
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