Men’s Golf Signs Three for 2018

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s golf coach Brian Craig announced the singing of three players to National Letters of Intent for the 2018 signing class on Tuesday. Cullan Brown (Eddyville, Ky.), Alex Goff (Kings Mountain, N.C.) and Jay Kirchdorfer (Louisville, Ky.) have each signed to play their collegiate golf for the Wildcats.
 
“I love this class,” Craig said. “The best thing about it is the character of these young men.  Cullan, Jay and Alex are outstanding young men who not only excel on the golf course, but are champions in the classroom and in the community. Their leadership and dedication will be a huge asset for our program.  I can’t wait to coach all three of them and watch them represent the Big Blue Nation with class and integrity.”
 
Brown and Kirchdorfer will join fellow in-state players Jacob Cook, Allen Hamilton, Matt Liston, Fred Allen Meyer and Zach Norris in 2018.
 

Cullan Brown
Hometown: Eddyville, Ky.
High School: Lyon County
 
In 2016, he was the KHSAA State individual champion en route to winning the state’s Player of the Year honor. Brown was the runner-up in both 2015 and 2017. He ranks among the top 20 of the 2018 class according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard.
 
Brown is a Rolex Junior All-American and a three-time champion of the Kentucky Junior Masters. He has amassed nine top-10 finishes on the AJGA, including winning the Bass Pro Shops/Payne Stewart Junior Championship.
 
He was a member of Team USA, winning the Evian Junior Cup Championship in Evian, France, and has finished in the top 10 of stroke play at the US Junior Amateur.
 
“Cullan is a special talent and an even better young man,” Craig said. “His record on the golf course and in the classroom speaks for itself. He is a strong ball striker and a proven winner at the junior golf level. I also think his game translates well for the college game with the difficulty of the courses we play. I do not have a crystal ball, but I like his chances of stepping right in and making an impact at the SEC level. Cullan’s future in this game is super bright and I am thrilled that he was joined the Kentucky golf family.”

 
Alex Goff
Hometown: Kings Mountain, N.C.
High School: Kings Mountain
 
A two-time North Carolina all-state golfer, Goff is also a three-time conference Player of the Year. He will suit up for Kings Mountain in his final high school season in the spring. As a freshman, he won the 3A West Regional Championship and finished fifth at the state championship as a sophomore.
 
He tied the course record at Cleveland Country Club with a 9-under par 63. He shot a 7-under, 65, in the second round of the Henry Transou Memorial Classic. Furthermore, he was a semifinalist at the 2016 North Carolina Junior Championship and 10th at the 2017 Joe Cheves Junior Invitational.
 
“Alex is a terrific young man with one of the most fundamentally sound golf games that I have seen for a player his age,” Craig said. “He has a proven record of posting rounds in the 60’s in high-level junior competitions and that is a very difficult gift to teach. His passion and dedication does not extend just to the golf course, but also to his academics. I firmly believe Alex’s best golf is in front of him as he continues to grow stronger and gain experience. I can’t wait to watch that development happen as a Kentucky Wildcat.”

 
Jay Kirchdorfer
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
High School: St. Xavier
 
He is currently the captain of his high school team and a member of the 2016 squad that won the state title. Goff is the youngest champion of the Junior Fall Cities Championship in the event’s 73 years.
 
He has five top-10 finishes on the AJGA tour, including a fourth-place finish in the Justin Thomas AJGA event. He was also the runner-up in the AJGA Junior All-Star tournament in Spring Valley.
 
“Jay is a wonderful young man from a family that I have known and respected for a long time,” Craig said. “I cannot wait to coach him and help him develop into the type of player that he is in the process of becoming. Jay’s track record in this game is superb and he is fearless when it comes to shooting low rounds in tournament golf. I also do not know anybody that works any harder or is more passionate about his craft. I am confident that Jay’s best golf will be in college and I look forward to watching that happen while he wears the Blue and White.”
 
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.