College Station, Texas. – Texas A&M men's golf head coach J.T. Higgins announced the signing of a trio of standout golfers, Dan Erickson, Walker Lee and Reese Ramsey, to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Erickson will be eligible to join the Aggies for the upcoming spring semester while Lee and Ramsey are set to arrive for the fall of 2017.
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"This is another great class for us" Higgins said. "All three of these young men have won at the highest levels of junior golf, have shown the ability to make a lot of birdies and post low scores and will come to Texas A&M ready to compete for a spot in our lineup the first day of class. And they are good enough to do it! Dan, Walker and Reese are everything we are looking for in our players:Â talented, hard-working, tough and competitive. On top of that, they are outstanding young men who are great additions to our university and community. We are proud of our newest Aggies."
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Dan Erickson
6-1 • 150 lbs
Whittier, Calif. (Laurel Springs High School)
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17)
         - No. 3 player in California
         - No. 10 player in the U.S.
• Golf Instructors Bobby Lasken and Rick Sessinghaus
• 2015 Los Angeles City Junior Champion (11-under par)
• 2015 Southern California Golf Association Match Play Champion
• 2016 PGA Junior Series Champion at Penn State (13-under par)
• Finished second at the 2016 Southern California Amateur (15-under par)
• Finished second at the 2016 Southern California Match Play Championship
• Has carded four top-10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Events
• Finished sixth place at the 2013 Florida High School State Championship as a freshman
• Recorded seventh place showing at 2015 Southern Junior Championship
• Represented California in the 2016 USGA Men's Team Championship
• Shares course record of 62 with Tiger Woods at Hacienda Golf Club in Whittier, Calif.
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Higgins on Erickson:
"Dan is establishing himself as one of the best players in the nation. He not only competes well at the junior level but against strong amateur competition as well. He has had great coaching from Bobby Lasken and Rick Sessinghaus, and that coupled with his terrific work ethic and experience has prepared him as well as anyone to compete at the highest levels of collegiate and amateur golf. Dan plays with tremendous composure and has the ability to make a lot of birdies and shoot low scores. He is a winner and a terrific young man who will be a great addition to our squad."
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Erickson on Signing with Texas A&M:
"The number one reason I chose Texas A&M was to compete for and win a National Championship. The academics are fantastic and a degree from Texas A&M will give me a lot of opportunities for a successful career besides golf. The coaches, facilities and players all tie into why I believe it is the best option in all of college golf."
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Walker Lee
5-11 • 165 lbs
Houston, Texas
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17):
         - No. 2 player in the state of Texas
         - No. 18 player nationally
• 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American
• Member of the 2015 Jackie Burke Cup Team
• Earned medalist honors at the 2016 PGA Junior Series Champion at The Air Force Academy
• Individual champion at the 2013 AJGA Harvey Penick Invitational
• Runner-up at both the 2013 AJGA David Toms Invitational and 2015 AJGA Patrick Reed Invitational
• Has carded eight wins on the Texas Junior Golf Tour and two on the Texas Legends Junior Golf Tour
• Holds three course records
         - Champions Golf Club – Cypress Creek (Houston, TX) – 62
         - Eisenhower Golf Club (Colorado Springs, CO) – 63
         - Owatonna Country Club (Owatonna, MN) – 64
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Higgins on Lee:
"It is finally official – Walker is an Aggie! I'm not sure who is more excited about that – me, him or his entire family. He comes from a line of Aggie Golfers and because of that, we have known him since he was knee high. We have seen him grow up to become not only one of the best golfers in the country but a terrific young man. Walker's potential is unlimited. He learned the game from his father and uncles but has also received great instruction from Kevin Kirk in The Woodlands. He is a throwback; a shot-maker who works the ball both ways, controls his trajectory and spin and plays fearless golf. He reminds us a lot of Chandler Phillips in both style and attitude. He is ultra-competitive and can post some seriously low scores. He has the ability to make an immediate impact on our team and we are happy to finally, officially welcome him to the Aggie Family."
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Lee on Signing with Texas A&M:
"I am coming to A&M because I like the school, coaches and practice facilities. With the courses we get to play and the practice facility, there is no excuse to not be as good as you want to be. Combine that with a great team and I have a lot to look forward to. "
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Reese Ramsey
6-1 • 175 lbs
Austin, Texas (Westlake High School)
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17)
         - No. 1 player in Texas
         - No. 9 player in the U.S.
• Plays at Austin's Westlake High School for Coach Callen Nokes
• Helped lead WHS to 2014 State Championship and two other top three showings at state tournament
• Golf Instructor Ann Marie Gildersleeve at Austin Country Club
• 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American
• Three-time UIL Class 6A All-State Golf Team honoree (2014-16)
• 2016 UIL Class 6A Academic All State
• Individual medalist at the 2015 Hale Irwin Colorado Junior
• Has played in two US Junior Amateur Championships (2015 and 2016)
• Fifth place at 2015 US Junior Amateur Championship during stroke play; Fell in Round of 32
• Finished sixth at 2016 Junior PGA Championship
• Finished in 10th place 2016 Western Junior Championship
• Runner up at 2015 Lockton Kansas City Junior, 2014 Will Claxton Junior, 2014 Midwest Junior Players Championship and 2013 AJGA Junior All-Star
• Has carded 4 other AJGA Top-10 finishes
• Holds course record (61) at Common Ground Golf Club in Denver, Colo. The 61 also ties for the lowest round in AJGA history
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Higgins on Ramsey:
"Reese is another young man we have known for a long time. He came to our first-ever golf camp and it has been fun to watch him develop into an outstanding golfer and young man over the years. Reese is mature and thoughtful – on and off the course. He is an all-around good player. He has great fundamentals, hits it well, can chip and putt and he plays really smart. He has worked with Ann Marie Gildersleeve since he was six and they have done an amazing job together. He plays for one of the best high school programs in the state of Texas. Year in and year out, Coach Nokes has them competing for the state championship and that is always nice to bring in a player who is already a part of a winning program. Reese is a welcome addition to the Aggie Family."
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Ramsey on Signing with Texas A&M:
"I decided on Texas A&M because of the great coaches, fantastic practice facilities and the awesome campus atmosphere. It is a big bonus to have all of these aspects and be at an SEC school at the same time."
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"This is another great class for us" Higgins said. "All three of these young men have won at the highest levels of junior golf, have shown the ability to make a lot of birdies and post low scores and will come to Texas A&M ready to compete for a spot in our lineup the first day of class. And they are good enough to do it! Dan, Walker and Reese are everything we are looking for in our players:Â talented, hard-working, tough and competitive. On top of that, they are outstanding young men who are great additions to our university and community. We are proud of our newest Aggies."
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Dan Erickson
6-1 • 150 lbs
Whittier, Calif. (Laurel Springs High School)
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17)
         - No. 3 player in California
         - No. 10 player in the U.S.
• Golf Instructors Bobby Lasken and Rick Sessinghaus
• 2015 Los Angeles City Junior Champion (11-under par)
• 2015 Southern California Golf Association Match Play Champion
• 2016 PGA Junior Series Champion at Penn State (13-under par)
• Finished second at the 2016 Southern California Amateur (15-under par)
• Finished second at the 2016 Southern California Match Play Championship
• Has carded four top-10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Events
• Finished sixth place at the 2013 Florida High School State Championship as a freshman
• Recorded seventh place showing at 2015 Southern Junior Championship
• Represented California in the 2016 USGA Men's Team Championship
• Shares course record of 62 with Tiger Woods at Hacienda Golf Club in Whittier, Calif.
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Higgins on Erickson:
"Dan is establishing himself as one of the best players in the nation. He not only competes well at the junior level but against strong amateur competition as well. He has had great coaching from Bobby Lasken and Rick Sessinghaus, and that coupled with his terrific work ethic and experience has prepared him as well as anyone to compete at the highest levels of collegiate and amateur golf. Dan plays with tremendous composure and has the ability to make a lot of birdies and shoot low scores. He is a winner and a terrific young man who will be a great addition to our squad."
Â
Erickson on Signing with Texas A&M:
"The number one reason I chose Texas A&M was to compete for and win a National Championship. The academics are fantastic and a degree from Texas A&M will give me a lot of opportunities for a successful career besides golf. The coaches, facilities and players all tie into why I believe it is the best option in all of college golf."
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Walker Lee
5-11 • 165 lbs
Houston, Texas
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17):
         - No. 2 player in the state of Texas
         - No. 18 player nationally
• 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American
• Member of the 2015 Jackie Burke Cup Team
• Earned medalist honors at the 2016 PGA Junior Series Champion at The Air Force Academy
• Individual champion at the 2013 AJGA Harvey Penick Invitational
• Runner-up at both the 2013 AJGA David Toms Invitational and 2015 AJGA Patrick Reed Invitational
• Has carded eight wins on the Texas Junior Golf Tour and two on the Texas Legends Junior Golf Tour
• Holds three course records
         - Champions Golf Club – Cypress Creek (Houston, TX) – 62
         - Eisenhower Golf Club (Colorado Springs, CO) – 63
         - Owatonna Country Club (Owatonna, MN) – 64
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Higgins on Lee:
"It is finally official – Walker is an Aggie! I'm not sure who is more excited about that – me, him or his entire family. He comes from a line of Aggie Golfers and because of that, we have known him since he was knee high. We have seen him grow up to become not only one of the best golfers in the country but a terrific young man. Walker's potential is unlimited. He learned the game from his father and uncles but has also received great instruction from Kevin Kirk in The Woodlands. He is a throwback; a shot-maker who works the ball both ways, controls his trajectory and spin and plays fearless golf. He reminds us a lot of Chandler Phillips in both style and attitude. He is ultra-competitive and can post some seriously low scores. He has the ability to make an immediate impact on our team and we are happy to finally, officially welcome him to the Aggie Family."
Â
Lee on Signing with Texas A&M:
"I am coming to A&M because I like the school, coaches and practice facilities. With the courses we get to play and the practice facility, there is no excuse to not be as good as you want to be. Combine that with a great team and I have a lot to look forward to. "
Â
---
Reese Ramsey
6-1 • 175 lbs
Austin, Texas (Westlake High School)
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Quick Notes:
• Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings (Class of '17)
         - No. 1 player in Texas
         - No. 9 player in the U.S.
• Plays at Austin's Westlake High School for Coach Callen Nokes
• Helped lead WHS to 2014 State Championship and two other top three showings at state tournament
• Golf Instructor Ann Marie Gildersleeve at Austin Country Club
• 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American
• Three-time UIL Class 6A All-State Golf Team honoree (2014-16)
• 2016 UIL Class 6A Academic All State
• Individual medalist at the 2015 Hale Irwin Colorado Junior
• Has played in two US Junior Amateur Championships (2015 and 2016)
• Fifth place at 2015 US Junior Amateur Championship during stroke play; Fell in Round of 32
• Finished sixth at 2016 Junior PGA Championship
• Finished in 10th place 2016 Western Junior Championship
• Runner up at 2015 Lockton Kansas City Junior, 2014 Will Claxton Junior, 2014 Midwest Junior Players Championship and 2013 AJGA Junior All-Star
• Has carded 4 other AJGA Top-10 finishes
• Holds course record (61) at Common Ground Golf Club in Denver, Colo. The 61 also ties for the lowest round in AJGA history
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Higgins on Ramsey:
"Reese is another young man we have known for a long time. He came to our first-ever golf camp and it has been fun to watch him develop into an outstanding golfer and young man over the years. Reese is mature and thoughtful – on and off the course. He is an all-around good player. He has great fundamentals, hits it well, can chip and putt and he plays really smart. He has worked with Ann Marie Gildersleeve since he was six and they have done an amazing job together. He plays for one of the best high school programs in the state of Texas. Year in and year out, Coach Nokes has them competing for the state championship and that is always nice to bring in a player who is already a part of a winning program. Reese is a welcome addition to the Aggie Family."
Â
Ramsey on Signing with Texas A&M:
"I decided on Texas A&M because of the great coaches, fantastic practice facilities and the awesome campus atmosphere. It is a big bonus to have all of these aspects and be at an SEC school at the same time."
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