Nov. 18, 2008

LEXINGTON, Ky. — National standouts Michael Kania (Haverford, Penn.), Cody Martin (Union, Ky.) and Chase Parker (Augusta, Ga.) have all inked National Letters of Intent to play golf at the University of Kentucky, head coach Brian Craig announced Wednesday.

“I could not be more excited about this year’s recruiting class,” head coach Brian Craig said. “Michael, Cody and Chase are all very accomplished players and are perfect fits for our program. They each have highly refined ball-striking skills which allow them to put pressure on the golf course to shoot low scores. Their superior tee to green skills will also help them in college golf as they transition to the more demanding golf courses that we play. I am also proud of the fact that Michael, Cody and Chase each have outstanding character and are committed to excellence in the classroom. I welcome these young men into the Wildcat family and look forward to them helping our program to achieve our goals.”

Parker, ranked 42nd according to GolfWeek, posted three top 10 results in recent AJGA events. This past June, Parker took the Georgia State Junior Title after carding a final-round 70 to overtake the first-round leader at the Augusta Country Club. Parker, who finished tied for 35th in the national junior rankings this summer, began the final round in the Georgia State Championship two strokes from the leader before charging to win the title.

 “Chase had a superb summer of golf that firmly established him as one of the nation’s premiere junior players. Winning the Georgia State Junior Championship was quite an accomplishment with all of the Division I players in the state of Georgia this year,” Craig said. “It was also a testament to Chase’s terrific ball-striking skills and, more importantly, his heart on the golf course. Chase is just beginning to develop into the type of player that he is capable of being and we are thrilled to have him join our Wildcat family. I look forward to him having a wonderful career at UK and helping our team to win championships.”

Martin has been a consistent performer throughout high school and in the junior ranks. He won the Kentucky Junior Championships after trailing by eight shots going in to the final round. He also qualified for the U.S. Junior and made it to the match-play portion, in addition to finishing second at the Hudson Junior Invitational. Martin made the All-State team in Kentucky during his junior year and his high school career is highlighted by winning the PGA Junior event series in Buies Creek, N.C.

“Cody is one of the most talented golfers to come out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky since I have been here,” Craig said. “He had a breakout summer and proved that he can do two things that we love to have: win tournaments and shoot very low scores. I really believe that Cody is only beginning to tap into his enormous talent. He is also a diligent student and a fine young man of solid character. I am excited to have Cody join our Wildcat family and look forward to him helping our team achieve our goals on the course and in the classroom.”

Michael Kania, brother to current Wildcat sophomore James Kania, comes into UK with experience in the junior ranks. A proven player on the AJGA circuit, Kania recorded three top 10 finishes in his junior career, including two second-place finishes, qualifying him for this past summer’s AJGA invitational events. Kania, who made the cut at the Footjoy Invitational was a standout player locally in the Philadelphia area. In 2007 as a junior, Kania won the Inter-Ac Championship at the famed Merion Golf Club.

 “Michael is a tremendous student-athlete with a proven junior record on the national level over the past few summers,” Craig said. “His ball-striking skills are very, very advanced and he has terrific hands around the greens. I firmly believe that Michael’s best golf is in front of him and that he will develop into an excellent player in the SEC. He is also a terrific student and a young man of integrity. I can’t wait for Michael to arrive on campus in the fall to start his career as a Wildcat.”

 The Wildcats return to action Feb. 16-17, 2009 at the Jacksonville University Invitational.