MOBILE, Ala. - South Alabama men's golf inked two individuals signing National Letters-of-Intent to join the 2026-27 roster, Head Coach Ben Hannan announced on Wednesday.

Incoming freshmen Michael Heaton and Buddy Fleming join the program. Heaton, from Bayshore Christian School in Fairhope, Ala., is ranked No. 6 in the state and No. 163 nationally in the class of 2026. Fleming, from St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile, Ala., holds a No. 8 state ranking and is No. 241 nationally in his class.

Heaton carded a decorated stretch with nine of his last 10 tournaments being Top-10 finishes. His low-54 came at the 76th Press Thornton Future Masters recording a third place finish following a 70-66-70 206. Heaton competed in three AJGA events, the first of which at Santa Rosa, tallying another third place finish.

The Fairhope native landed a scoring average of 71.58 to total his tournament play. The AJGA Russell Henley Junior Championship highlighted another Top-5 finish to his line with a low round of 69, en route to a 212 tournament total after 54 holes. Heaton tallied two wins in the spring at the Alabama Lakewood Junior Amateur and the ECJGT Spring Championship.

"Michael has had a very impressive and consistent run shooting several rounds under par and competing to win on several occasions throughout the summer," said Head Coach Ben Hannan.  "Michael is a good fit for us as he loves the game, has good speed, solid mechanics and has continued to get better since we first started to recruit him early in the spring."  

Buddy Fleming brings an impressive playing resume of his own highlighted by a 5-under par seventh place finish at the 109th Alabama State Amateur Championship, before shooting a 72-71 at the Magnolia Amateur. A low round of 66 shot Fleming to a ninth place finish at the 80th Alabama Boys State Junior Championship in the summer which marks five Top-10 finishes in a mix of both amateur and junior events.

The AJGA - Moon Golf Junior Championship saw Fleming card a 214 total after 54 holes landing him in a fourth place finish, and the Mobile native's best finish came at the David Miller Memorial where he recorded third place.

"Buddy has played at a high level throughout his junior career as well. This summer he stepped up and started competing in Amateur events and had success right away," Hannan shared. "Buddy has a passion for the game, is a very good driver of the ball and has shown the ability to shoot some very low scores."

Hannan on the transfer to Jaguar culture and Division I golf:
"Both Michael and Buddy have the physical games that will transfer right away to the collegiate level.  More importantly, both embody the characteristics of our Jaguar golf culture. They love the game, have strong work ethics, academically excel and will be great teammates. We are so excited that these two talented players from the area chose to stay home and compete as Jags!  The success we have experienced this fall has been because of our depth and both Michael and Buddy will immediately add to that depth as soon as they step on campus."

The Jaguars will begin the spring season when it hosts the Hal Williams Collegiate at Magnolia Grove on Feb. 16-17.

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