University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Men’s Golf Signs Three for 2019-2020 Season
11/15/2018 5:16:00 PM | Men's Golf
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss men's golf coach Eddie Brescher announced Thursday the signing of three individuals for the 2019-2020 season, including Brice Wilkinson (Madison, Miss.), Robbie Latter (Mississauga, Ontario) and Thongpipat Rattanayanon (Bangkok, Thailand).
"Our University and golf program are blessed to have these three guys joining us in Hattiesburg," said Brescher. "The talent and experience these players bring to Southern Miss are as good as it gets. We cannot wait for them to report to campus next fall."
Wilkinson, a sophomore from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College via Madison Central High School, won the Phil Mickelson Award last season, presented to the top freshman in NJCAA Division II. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the national championship by finishing tied for sixth in Foley, Ala. Wilkinson ranked as the No. 4 player in the country at that level following his freshman campaign as he held the team's lowest scoring average.
Wilkinson also earned one of six finalist spots for the Jack Nicklaus Award, given to the national player of the year. He was named to the PING Division II All-American First Team, the NJCAA Division II All-American First Team and All-MACJC First Team. He had seven top-five finishes and won medalist honors at the NJCAA District D Tournament.
In 2018, he has shared the individual championship at the second MACJC event and has three top-five finishes in four outings. Wilkinson, who placed fourth at the 2018 Magnolia Amateur, holds a scoring average of 72.13 over 40 rounds, which ranks as the second best career average ever at MGCCC.
"Brice is arguably the best junior college player in the country," said Brescher. "He has posted great finishes in amateur and college golf. He is tough as nails and does not quit. I am beyond excited that he is joining us."
Latter, a standout on the CN Future Links, ranks No. 10 in the Canadian Junior Order of Merit rankings for 2018. A two-year member of Team Ontario, he captured the Quebec Championship with rounds of 74, 74 and 69, while finishing in the Top 15 at the Ontario Championship.
In addition, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 International Junior Masters while also posting nine Top 25 finishes in 11 tournaments played in 2018. He also lays claim to four AJCA Top 15 showings over the last two years over five appearances.
"Robbie is one of the best players in Canada," said Brescher. "He is a proven champion and plays all over North America and his game travels exceptionally. His ball striking is second to none. At 6-foot-2, Robbie is the shortest guy in his family, but don't be fooled, he can bust it."
Rattanayanon heads to Southern Miss with an impressive resume from the continent of Asia.
Recently, he placed second in the 2018 Fado Series Asia Finale, posting rounds of 72, 71 and 72 to go along with tournament scoring averages of 71.92 over 28 rounds in 2017 and a 72.50 over 16 rounds in 2016.
Played as an amateur in the professional Asian Tour's Thailand Open in 2017 when he was 16. He posted rounds of 70, 70, 73 and 71 in the event. In addition, he was two victories on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and was a Faldo Series Thailand champion by posting rounds of 73 and 69 to take the tournament.
"Thongpipat is an all-around great player," said Brescher. "He is very disciplined with his approach to competition. He is the type of guy that simply gets it done. He is a funny guy with a great personality who will fit in great with our team."
"Our University and golf program are blessed to have these three guys joining us in Hattiesburg," said Brescher. "The talent and experience these players bring to Southern Miss are as good as it gets. We cannot wait for them to report to campus next fall."
Wilkinson, a sophomore from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College via Madison Central High School, won the Phil Mickelson Award last season, presented to the top freshman in NJCAA Division II. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the national championship by finishing tied for sixth in Foley, Ala. Wilkinson ranked as the No. 4 player in the country at that level following his freshman campaign as he held the team's lowest scoring average.
Wilkinson also earned one of six finalist spots for the Jack Nicklaus Award, given to the national player of the year. He was named to the PING Division II All-American First Team, the NJCAA Division II All-American First Team and All-MACJC First Team. He had seven top-five finishes and won medalist honors at the NJCAA District D Tournament.
In 2018, he has shared the individual championship at the second MACJC event and has three top-five finishes in four outings. Wilkinson, who placed fourth at the 2018 Magnolia Amateur, holds a scoring average of 72.13 over 40 rounds, which ranks as the second best career average ever at MGCCC.
"Brice is arguably the best junior college player in the country," said Brescher. "He has posted great finishes in amateur and college golf. He is tough as nails and does not quit. I am beyond excited that he is joining us."
Latter, a standout on the CN Future Links, ranks No. 10 in the Canadian Junior Order of Merit rankings for 2018. A two-year member of Team Ontario, he captured the Quebec Championship with rounds of 74, 74 and 69, while finishing in the Top 15 at the Ontario Championship.
In addition, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 International Junior Masters while also posting nine Top 25 finishes in 11 tournaments played in 2018. He also lays claim to four AJCA Top 15 showings over the last two years over five appearances.
"Robbie is one of the best players in Canada," said Brescher. "He is a proven champion and plays all over North America and his game travels exceptionally. His ball striking is second to none. At 6-foot-2, Robbie is the shortest guy in his family, but don't be fooled, he can bust it."
Rattanayanon heads to Southern Miss with an impressive resume from the continent of Asia.
Recently, he placed second in the 2018 Fado Series Asia Finale, posting rounds of 72, 71 and 72 to go along with tournament scoring averages of 71.92 over 28 rounds in 2017 and a 72.50 over 16 rounds in 2016.
Played as an amateur in the professional Asian Tour's Thailand Open in 2017 when he was 16. He posted rounds of 70, 70, 73 and 71 in the event. In addition, he was two victories on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and was a Faldo Series Thailand champion by posting rounds of 73 and 69 to take the tournament.
"Thongpipat is an all-around great player," said Brescher. "He is very disciplined with his approach to competition. He is the type of guy that simply gets it done. He is a funny guy with a great personality who will fit in great with our team."
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