MONROE, La. – Keegan McLachlan, from Pretoria, South Africa, and
Otto Van Buynder, from Centurion, South Africa, have signed National Letters of Intent to attend ULM and compete in men's golf in 2018-19, according to an announcement made Wednesday, Nov. 29 by Warhawk Director of Golf
Tim Baldwin.
"I'm pleased to announce the signing of two new student-athletes to our golf program for 2018-19," Baldwin said. "Both young men hail from South Africa and rank among the Top 10 Juniors U-19. These guys are good friends and will prove to be important team members in our annual quest for Sun Belt and NCAA postseason accolades."
Keegan McLachlan
Pretoria, South Africa
Highlights: Has a + 4 handicap . . . placed in the Top 25 at six tournaments in 2016-17, including two Top 10 finishes . . . won the Nomads Inland National Order of Merit 2 Championship at Houghton Golf Club last July; shot a 66 in the second round . . . finished fourth in the Nomads Inland National Order of Merit 1 Championship at Benoni Country Club last May . . . posted 10 Top 10 finishes in 2015-16 and fired six rounds in the 60s.
Coach Baldwin on Keegan McLachlan: "Keegan is an exceptional student-athlete. He understands the importance of his education and is very diligent to achieve at a high level and perform in a consistent manner. Keegan also is an outstanding golfer, who's mature beyond his years. He understands the value of a shot and typically gets the most out of his game on any given day.
"Keegan plans to play an extensive national amateur schedule in 2018 and will be ready to make an immediate impact upon his arrival on campus in August 2018."
Comments from Keegan McLachlan: "'Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.' This is how I feel about this once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm going to do whatever I can to improve in every aspect of my life and try to help others around me whilst doing that. I'm ready to put in all the hard work to reach greater heights in my golfing career and may our team win many trophies whilst I am playing for the Warhawks."
Otto Van Buynder
Centurion, South Africa
Highlights: Produced six Top 20 finishes in 2016-17, including four in the Top 10 . . . also shot four rounds in the 60s in 2016-17 . . . claimed third in the Nomads North & South Junior Championship at Bloemfontein Golf Club last April . . . recorded seven Top 25 finishes in 2015-16, including four in the Top 10 . . . won the Tshwane Junior Open at Pretoria Country Club in July 2015.
Coach Baldwin on Otto Van Buynder: "Otto is also an exceptional student-athlete and is focused on putting his best effort in for overachieving on the golf course and in the classroom. Otto has a terrific golf swing, plenty of power and the ability to go low. Otto had several Top 10 finishes this past year, including many rounds in the 60s. Otto will devote much time in the new year playing a national amateur schedule in preparation for making an immediate impact upon his arrival to Monroe in August 2018."
Comments from Otto Van Buynder: "To be honest, I never thought I would play college golf in the U.S. I dreamed of college golf but decided to rather compete on the local amateur circuit and take it from there. That was until this opportunity came up. Now, it's real! For me, this is the first big step into becoming the best golfer in the world and it means everything to me to be able to play for such a great University. I can't wait to devote all my time and energy into reaching new heights, both for myself and our team."
