Nov. 14, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois men's golf head coach Mike Small has announced a stellar recruiting class with the signing of Scott Langley and Christopher DeForest to national letters of intent. Both golfers are highly ranked and well respected on the national junior golf circuit.

Langley hails from Ballwin, Mo. and attends Parkway South High School. A 2006 honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American, Langley is rated 15th in the class of 2007 by the Polo Golf (AJGA) rankings, 59th overall by Golfweek, and 92nd in the class of 2007 by Junior Golf Scoreboard. This past summer, Langley was runner-up at the 89th annual Western Junior Amateur (July 17-21), held at Cantigny Golf Course in Wheaton, Ill. and was also runner-up at the AJGA True Temper/David Gossett Junior Championship (July 31-Aug 3). He had three victories and nine top-10 finishes in various junior events in 2006. Langley is a three-time state tournament qualifier and Missouri All-State selection, finishing fourth at the Class 4 state tournament as a junior.

DeForest is from Cottekill, N.Y. and attends Rondout Valley High School. A multiple-time New York All-State selection and a 2005 honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American, DeForest is ranked 63rd in the class of 2007 by the Polo Golf (AJGA) rankings, 72nd overall by Golfweek, and 42nd in the class of 2007 by Junior Golf Scoreboard. He advanced to the second round of match play this past summer at the U.S. Junior Amateur at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.) Golf Club. DeForest had two wins and three top-5 finishes in the junior events this year, and placed 13th at the Westfield PGA Junior Championship (Aug. 10-13).

"Both Scott and Chris bring successful national tournament experience to our program," Small said. "They have proven that they can successfully compete with the best young golfers in the country and we are extremely excited to have them become a part of our program. With their talent and skill on the golf course and in the classroom, the future of Illinois Golf remains strong."