UT MARTIN GOLF ADDS A TRIO OF ACCOMPLISHED IN-STATE SIGNEES
11/19/2018 1:31:00 PM | Golf
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin head golf coach Jerry Carpenter has announced the signings of three talented players from the Tennessee prep scene, as Bryson Morrell, Luke Smith and Jacob Uehlein have inked with the Skyhawk program.
"This could be the three best signees as a class in my 15 years as golf coach," Carpenter said. "They all have credentials that will rank with other top players in Tennessee. They each perform well under pressure, have super golf course demeanors, make sound club selections and work hard on their game all year. They are all quality leaders who chose UT Martin for their strong academic programs. I consider myself extremely grateful to secure the services of these fine young men."
Morrell joins UT Martin out of Bearden High School in Knoxville, the same program that produced two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree Ben Reeves. He was a two-time individual state qualifier and won three tournaments in 2018 – emerging on top of the leaderboard at the McMinnville Invitational, the Keith Maxwell Invitational and the 5-Star Prep event held at Tennessee National Golf Course.
A two-time all-district honoree, Morrell posted multiple top-15 finishes as a junior golfer. He won the 2017 HIGT Knoxville Junior Open and placed in the top-five at the 2016 Junior All-Star tournament. He also earned top-10 finishes at the 2018 Scott Stallings AJGA event and in the 2018 Wally Invitational. In addition, he carded a top-15 finish at the Tennessee State Junior Amateur in both 2018 and 2017 as well as at the 2018 AJGA Junior. He also was part of the Team East squad in the 2018 Tennessee Junior Cup tournament.
"Bryson has played in the TSSAA AAA school division of golf in East Tennessee that has produced many outstanding collegiate players," Carpenter said. "He has qualified and competed on the state level as an amateur and has gone head-to-head with some of the best players in Tennessee with much success."
Smith cemented his status as one of the best golfers in the state during a remarkable run at Covington High School. He was a Tennessee Sportswriters Association all-state honoree and a four-time TSSAA state championship qualifier – finishing in the top-five twice in that event. He was also named to the Memphis Commercial Appeal "Best of the Preps" golf squad for the Shelby County/Metro area.
On the junior level, Smith was the USJGT Tour champion in 2018 and was also a four-time Hurricane Tour champion and a four-time Sneds Tour champion. He was a three-time Tennessee Junior Amateur qualifier and also qualified for the Tennessee State Amateur. He earned a top-five finish at the prestigious AJGA Preview event held in Cimmaron Hills, Texas.
"Luke is one of the top players in West Tennessee," Carpenter said. "He is a very big, strong player that possesses exceptional length off the tee, has a nice touch around the green and is a good putter. Practice is his passion and he consistently competes at a high level."
Uehlein is coming off a dominant career at Tullahoma High School, where was a four-time all-district honoree. He participated in the TSSAA state tournament on four different occasions and finished in the top-four in the Region 4-AAA tournament in each of his four seasons – including a first-place finish in 2016.
All in all, Uehlein has posted 38 top-5 finishes – including 15 victories – at all levels since 2015. He compiled five wins on the Sneds Tour over a two-year span and also chipped in victories on the 2017 Tennessee Junior Amateur circuit as well as a 2016 AJGA qualifier tournament in Ringgold, Ga. This past September, he shattered the course record at Lakewood Country Club with a 61 that included a pair of eagles and seven birdies.
"We are extremely pleased to sign Jacob, who is one of the best players in the state," Carpenter said. "His scores and golf game matches up with the best players in our area – he has played in events all over the Southeast and has produced several wins and top finishes."
"This could be the three best signees as a class in my 15 years as golf coach," Carpenter said. "They all have credentials that will rank with other top players in Tennessee. They each perform well under pressure, have super golf course demeanors, make sound club selections and work hard on their game all year. They are all quality leaders who chose UT Martin for their strong academic programs. I consider myself extremely grateful to secure the services of these fine young men."
Morrell joins UT Martin out of Bearden High School in Knoxville, the same program that produced two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference honoree Ben Reeves. He was a two-time individual state qualifier and won three tournaments in 2018 – emerging on top of the leaderboard at the McMinnville Invitational, the Keith Maxwell Invitational and the 5-Star Prep event held at Tennessee National Golf Course.
A two-time all-district honoree, Morrell posted multiple top-15 finishes as a junior golfer. He won the 2017 HIGT Knoxville Junior Open and placed in the top-five at the 2016 Junior All-Star tournament. He also earned top-10 finishes at the 2018 Scott Stallings AJGA event and in the 2018 Wally Invitational. In addition, he carded a top-15 finish at the Tennessee State Junior Amateur in both 2018 and 2017 as well as at the 2018 AJGA Junior. He also was part of the Team East squad in the 2018 Tennessee Junior Cup tournament.
"Bryson has played in the TSSAA AAA school division of golf in East Tennessee that has produced many outstanding collegiate players," Carpenter said. "He has qualified and competed on the state level as an amateur and has gone head-to-head with some of the best players in Tennessee with much success."
Smith cemented his status as one of the best golfers in the state during a remarkable run at Covington High School. He was a Tennessee Sportswriters Association all-state honoree and a four-time TSSAA state championship qualifier – finishing in the top-five twice in that event. He was also named to the Memphis Commercial Appeal "Best of the Preps" golf squad for the Shelby County/Metro area.
On the junior level, Smith was the USJGT Tour champion in 2018 and was also a four-time Hurricane Tour champion and a four-time Sneds Tour champion. He was a three-time Tennessee Junior Amateur qualifier and also qualified for the Tennessee State Amateur. He earned a top-five finish at the prestigious AJGA Preview event held in Cimmaron Hills, Texas.
"Luke is one of the top players in West Tennessee," Carpenter said. "He is a very big, strong player that possesses exceptional length off the tee, has a nice touch around the green and is a good putter. Practice is his passion and he consistently competes at a high level."
Uehlein is coming off a dominant career at Tullahoma High School, where was a four-time all-district honoree. He participated in the TSSAA state tournament on four different occasions and finished in the top-four in the Region 4-AAA tournament in each of his four seasons – including a first-place finish in 2016.
All in all, Uehlein has posted 38 top-5 finishes – including 15 victories – at all levels since 2015. He compiled five wins on the Sneds Tour over a two-year span and also chipped in victories on the 2017 Tennessee Junior Amateur circuit as well as a 2016 AJGA qualifier tournament in Ringgold, Ga. This past September, he shattered the course record at Lakewood Country Club with a 61 that included a pair of eagles and seven birdies.
"We are extremely pleased to sign Jacob, who is one of the best players in the state," Carpenter said. "His scores and golf game matches up with the best players in our area – he has played in events all over the Southeast and has produced several wins and top finishes."
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