Nov. 12, 2008

University of New Mexico men's golf head coach Glen Millican announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent today. Current prep golfers John Catlin, Eduardo Chavez and Ryan Gay have all inked their papers to join the Lobos in the fall of 2009.

"I am very excited about this incoming class," stated Millican. We are losing five seniors at the end of the year, so there will be a lot of opportunities for these guys to play right away. We have a strong nucleus returning but this crop of freshman will be able to push all of our lettermen."

Catlin is currently the No. 4 ranked golfer in his 2009 class in the state of California and ranked No. 31 in the nation in his class. Chavez qualified for the 2008 U.S. Amateur at the age of 16 and Gay is the youngest golfer to win the Maine State Amateur since 1927.

John Catlin

John Catlin - Carmichael, Calif. (Jesuit HS)
Senior at Jesuit HS in Carmichael, Calif...ranked 31st in class of 2009 by GolfWeek...1st Overall - Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) in Turkey Creek, Calif., in February 2008...4th Place - AJGA Ping Phoenix, August 2008...one top five finish and four top 10 finishes in nine starts in AJGA tournaments...2nd Place, Walmart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach, September 2008...four top five finishes in seven starts on the Future Collegians World Tour...one Top 5 finish in his only start on the International Junior Golf Tour (PGA West - December 2007)...invited to the AJGA Ping Invitational (Karsten Creek, Okla. - September 2008) and the AJGA Polo Invitational (Ginn Reunion Resort, Fla. - November 2008)...Future Collegians World Tour second team All American...2008 Delta River League MVP...2008 & 2007 MVP Jesuit High School Varsity Golf...2006 MVP Jesuit High School Junior Varsity Golf...2008 All-Metro-1st Team and 2007 All Metro-2nd Team...PERSONAL...Son of Ben and Gail Catlin, has one older brother Ben Catlin, Jr.

Head Coach Glen Millican on John Catlin
"John has had an excellent amateur career up to this point. He has played in a lot of national tournaments and is one of the top players in his class in the state of California. The competition he has faced will certainly help him adjust to the college game."

Eduardo Chavez

Eduardo Chavez - Hillsborough, Calif. (The Pendelton School (Fla.)
Current senior at The Pendelton School in Bradenton, Fla...native of Hillsborough, Calif...posted two top 10's and three top-15s in AJGA action...31st at the 2007 Jr Orange Bowl... tied for 14th at the 2008 Saint Agustine Amateur (low round of tournament 65)...Qualified for 2008 US Amateur at age 16...Winner of 2007 IJGT Mizuno Midseason Championship...Winner of 2007 Palmetto Invitational (71 69 68)...ranked 93rd nationally and 15th in the state of California for the class of 2009...PERSONAL...Son of Fernando and Myriam Chavez...has one older brother, Sam Chavez, who plays golf for the Arkansas Razorbacks...has one younger sister, Paloma.

Head Coach Glen Millican on Eduardo Chavez
"Eduardo comes from a strong golfing family with his brother also playing Division I college golf. He qualified for the U.S. Amateur at the age of 16 so you know he has the ability to be an excellent collegiate golfer."

Ryan Gay

Ryan Gay - Pittston, Maine (Gardiner HS)
Senior at Gardiner High School in Gardiner, Maine...won the 2008 Maine Amateur and was the youngest player to do so since 1927...two time Maine Junior Amateur Champion 2007, 2008...three time Maine High School State Champion 2006, 2007, 2008...five top five finishes in AJGA events...four time high school golfer of the year from 2005 to 2008...tied for fifth place in the New England Amateur at the age of 16 in 2008...PERSONAL...Son of Tim and Carol Gay.

Head Coach Glen Millican on Ryan Gay
"Ryan has a ton of experience playing in difficult conditions and is a very fundamentally sound golfer. Being the yougest winner of the Maine amateur since 1927 means that his talent speaks for itself."