MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama men’s golf coach Ben Hannan announced Friday that Jamie Clare has signed a National Letter-of-Intent and will enroll in school in the fall.
Clare, who hails from Somerset, England, will have four years of eligibility remaining.
“Jamie is a very talented player who will have the opportunity to compete and play right away,” said Hannan. “He has represented his country in numerous international events, and has experienced success at the highest level possible. Finishing second at the 2011 English Amateur as a 17-year-old junior is a testament to his playing ability.
“Jamie will fit in well with our young and talented team.”
At this year’s Sanlam South Africa Amateur Championship, which took place at the Mowbray Golf Course Feb. 26-March 2, Clare used a 145 36-hole score to advance to the match-play segment of the event. With two 1-up victories, and two more on the first hole of a playoff, he would go on to reach the semifinals before falling to Brandon Stone — the top-ranked South African amateur player — on the 19th hole.
He helped Millfield School win the title at the World Schools Golf Championship in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in April 2011. In addition to posting the low gross total at the tournament, Clare finishing third overall with a 290 score while Millfield claimed the team championship by 25 shots. Over the summer he was the Somerset Schools and South West Schools champion, advanced to the 36-hole finals of the English Amateur Championship and after finishing seventh at the England Schools Championship he would go on to represent his country in a match against Scotland in September.
And on Sept. 5 last fall, Clare fired a 68 in the opening round of the Somerset Golf Union Junior Championship before winning the event title in a four-hole playoff.
During the 2010 season, he was selected to represent England in matches against Ireland, Scotland and Wales after tying for fourth place at England’s Under-16 Championships as well as tying for second at the North of England Boys Championship. Currently, Clare is a member of the English Under-18 team.
Clare is the second individual to sign with the USA men’s golf program this year, joining Matt Sheehan of Hempstead, England.
“Jamie and Matt are friends and prior schoolmates,” Hannan explained. “Having two international recruits come over who know one another and have a history together is very beneficial and will help with their transition to the collegiate level.”
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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