SPRINGFIELD -- Missouri State men's golf coach Neal Stafford has announced that Will Hogan, a native of Ozark, Mo., will transfer to MSU this fall from the University of Missouri.
Hogan, who will be a sophomore for the Bears, earned a regular spot in the Tigers' lineup as a redshirt freshman this year. He completed 30 rounds and averaged 75.1 strokes per round in 10 tournaments, including 22 rounds in the 70s and a season-low round of 69.
"We are very excited to have Will join our program this fall," said Stafford. "He has been one of the top amateur players in the state for the last few years, and we are obviously very familiar with his game. For him to come back home and want to be part of our program is big news for our team."
Hogan finished third in his first collegiate event this fall at the Rutherford Intercollegiate in Farmington, Pa. He later finished 17th at the Austin Peay Intercollegiate meet with a season-best total of 216 for the 54-hole tournament. He did not play at the 2009 Big 12 Tournament, the only meet in which he did not participate.
As a junior at Ozark High School, Hogan tied for overall medalist honors at the 2006 MSHSAA Class 3 Golf Championship at Silo Ridge in Bolivar. He then tied for 10th place as a senior at the Class 4 state meet at Fremont Hills. He was named 2006 Missouri Junior Player of the Year and finished first at the US Junior Amateur Qualifier that year. He also finished third at the 2008 Missouri State Amateur Championship.
"I'm real excited," said Hogan. "I know most of the players (at MSU), and I know coach Stafford really well. I am anxious to come back home and help the Missouri State golf program. This is a great opportunity for me to focus on my future, and I look forward to the next three years."
The Bears finished fourth at the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Championship and are expected to return all seven lettermen from the 2008-09 squad. The Bears have already announced the signing of Eric Straub of Paducah, Ky., to a National Letter of Intent for the upcoming year.
