Missouri State men's golf coach Neal Stafford has announced the signing of an Italian junior standout to his program. The newest addition for the Bears is Francesco Petrangeli from Rome, who'll join the team for the 2026-27 academic year after graduating from Liceo Cannizzaro High School next year.

Petrangeli qualified for the British Boys' Amateur last summer and placed third at the Italian National Under-18 Team Championship. He also was named the Elite Player of the Italian Under-18 National Team, and placed ninth at the Italian Boys National Championship. He posted eight top-10 finishes this past year while compiling a 71.17 scoring average. The previous season, he captured the Rome City Tournament and finished second at the Inter-Regional Under-18 Match Play while chalking up 14 top-10 finishes. Petrangeli has been ranked as high as 1009th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

"I'm very excited that Francesco chose Missouri State!  We really connected in the recruiting process and he brings an impressive international resume to the program," said Stafford. "He is very focused on being a champion with his studies and his playing career. He will be a great asset as we get back to national prominence inside Conference USA!"

The Bears completed their fall season two weeks ago with a fourth-place finish at the Missouri State Intercollegiate and will resume their schedule in the spring at the Loyola Intercollegiate, Feb. 16-18 in Goodyear, Ariz.