Hatfield Completes Clemson Golf Signees Class for 2005

Aug. 5, 2005

Vince Hatfield of Greenwood High School in Greenwood, SC, has signed a national letter of intent with the Clemson golf program. Hatfield will enter Clemson as a freshman later this month, one of five first-year freshmen who will be on Larry Penley’s roster this year.

Hatfield recently won his second consecutive Carolinas Junior Amateur with 199 score (66-64-69) at Irving Park Country Club in Greensboro, NC. He defeated George Bryan IV of Chapin, SC in a playoff on the second hole. That was the third Carolina’s Amateur junior championship of his career. He also won the Carolina Junior Amateur in 2004 and captured the South Carolina Junior Match Play Championship in 2004.

The 6-2, 190-pounder, who resembles for Clemson All-American and current PGA Tour player Lucas Glover in physical stature, also won the Festival of Flowers in Greenwood at Greenwood Country Club, the same tournament that was won by 2005-06 Clemson senior Stephen Poole the previous year. Hatfield also won The Blade at Greenville’s Thornblade Country Club in 2004. Earlier this summer, Hatfield had a pair of course record rounds of 62 on two different courses within 10 days. He set the course record with rounds of 62 at Hunter’s Creek and The Patriot, both courses in Greenwood.

“We are certainly glad to have Vince Hatfield join our program,” said Penley. “Vince is a big, strong player who hits it long and he is a great putter and competitor. He will provide immediate help.”

Hatfield is the fifth signee for Clemson’s freshman class of 2005-06, the largest recruiting class since Larry Penley has been the head coach (22 years). The other four signees include Luke Hopkins of Eastside High School in Greer, Ben Martin of Greenwood High in Greenwood, SC, David May of Auburn High School in Auburn, NY, and Phillip Mollica of T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, SC.

Clemson has five returning lettermen from the 2004-05 season, including rising seniors Stephen Poole and Martin Catalioto.