MGCCC golf team inks three signees

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College golf coach Tommy Snell has signed three high school seniors to help reload his current group of seven sophomores.

“I’m losing seven solid players, so I’ve been on the recruiting trail for quite some time,” Snell said.

The trio of incoming freshmen for the 2010-’11 season includes Jack Sargent, a Gulf Breeze, FL. senior whose great grandfather won the U.S. Open in 1909.

“Coach Snell knows a lot of coaches at that level, and if I play well, I know he can help me,” said Sargent, a regular on several regional and national junior golf circuits.

Marcus Fox of Herts, England is also headed to Gulf Coast next fall.

“This kid has impressive numbers, and his coach has assured me that his fundamentals are solid,” said Snell. “His 71.8 tournament scoring average should help the team make another run at State and Regional titles.”

Mississippi schools are allowed two out-of-state scholarships in golf, and Snell said he’s happy to have that part of the recruiting process behind him.

“I’m ready to focus on local kids now that high school golf begins in early March,” he added.

One of those local players is Bulldog golf signee Jared Smith of Harrison Central.

“Jared has been working with David Lee and Cory Cooper (both former Gulf Coast players) at Windance C.C. and his scores have dropped faster than this year’s temperatures,” Snell said with a smile. “I look for him to contend for the 6A High School Championship in April.

Gulf Coast also signed the only freshman on the team, Taylor Michie, to a second season. Michie will represent the team’s only sophomore for the 2010-2011 season, and Snell hopes his leadership will help a young team mature.

Meanwhile two current Bulldogs golfers have already made plans for next season. Brandon Herrington, a sophomore from Laurel, has verbally committed to William Carey. Richie Williams, a sophomore from Wiggins, is a verbal commitment to Southern Illinois.

Gulf Coast opens its 2010 MACJC season at Sunkist C.C. and Grand Bear Golf Club on February 8-9, with all 12 Mississippi teams entered in the 36-hole, two-day event.