Nov. 21, 2003
The University of San Diego golf team, under the direction of first-year head coach Tim Mickelson, received commitments from three of the nation's best prep golfers. Mickelson's first official recruiting class is expected to begin attending USD in the fall of 2004. All three players were heavily pursued out of high school by some of the nation's top collegiate golf programs.
Luke Gaskins, a native of Minnesota has signed a letter of intent to attend The University of San Diego. Gaskins was selected to the 2003 Minnesota All-State Team as a prep junior after three consecutive all-conference seasons. At the 2002 Westfield Junior PGA's, Gaskins placed 23rd overall. Gaskins is a member of the National Honors Society, choosing USD over Dartmouth, Wisconsin and No. 6 Minnesota.
"Luke comes to us from Minnesota where the playing season is minimal," comments Mickelson. "He has very good fundamentals and is a proven winner. Luke has posted numerous sub-70 rounds and has an extremely high ceiling in terms of his ability. I am very excited that Luke will be attending USD in the fall."
Bucky Coe, a local commitment out of nearby La Costa Canyon High School, has proven to be one of the best prep golfers in Southern California. Coe has posted a pair of top-10 finishes in tournaments hosted by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). In one of the largest junior tournaments world-wide, Coe came in 38th at the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships earlier this year. Coe was also recruited by Notre Dame and No. 19 New Mexico.
"Bucky is an excellent player who has all the tools needed to succeed at the Division I level," says Mickelson. "He also knows how to score which is invaluable. He has the talent and the drive to be an outstanding player for us and I expect him to have a solid collegiate career."
Kevin Riley a product of Waterford, Connecticut rounds out San Diego's early signing class. Riley has a pair of top-ten finishes in AJGA events, choosing The University of San Diego over No. 7 Texas Christian. Riley is a two-sport standout prep athlete, lettering in both golf and basketball.
"Kevin has tremendous athletic ability," says Mickelson. "Considering the golfing season in the Northeast is only about six months I'm expecting great things from him when he gets down here to San Diego. I was thrilled in his decision to come."
