FERRIS STATE MEN’S GOLF ANNOUNCES SIGNEES

Ferris State University men’s golf head coach Brad Bedortha has signed three talented prep student-athletes to national letters of intent to attend FSU and compete for the Bulldogs beginning with the 2003-04 season.

The FSU recruiting class is comprised of Kyle Mason (Mt. Pleasant), Jeff Carlson (Holland/West Ottawa) and Kyle Snell (Concord).

“I’m pleased with these signings,” said Bedortha, who guided the Bulldogs to a 13th-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championships. “This is my first recruiting class and I believe all three will be fine additions to our program. They are all quality students and individuals along with being great competitors.

“We’re losing some talented seniors this year and it was essential for us to get some players who could step in and continue Ferris State’s winning tradition,” Bedortha added.

FSU head coach Brad Bedortha's 2003 recruiting class has the potential to rank among the program's best ever.

Mason achieved all-state first-team accolades as senior this past fall under head coach Frank Ross while helping lead Mt. Pleasant to the 2002 state championship title after the Oilers had finished state runner ups the previous two campaigns (2000-01). A three-time All Mid-Michigan Conference selection, Mason recorded a 74.2 stroke average while posting 10 top 10 individual finishes, including twice earning top medalist laurels. Mason, who attained all-state honorable mention kudos in 2001, ranked among the region’s top five golfers in 2002 and was also recognized twice as MPHS’ Athlete of the Month. A two-year team captain, Mason has played a key role in the Oilers being both a four-time state qualifier and regional champion during his prep career. He has lettered four years in golf, two in baseball and one in basketball. The son of John and Terrie Mason, Kyle will major in professional golf management at FSU. His father is the head athletic trainer at Central Michigan University.

Carlson, a two-time (2001-02) all-state honorable mention selection, compiled a 75.7 stroke average as a senior at Holland West Ottawa High, which won a regional title and placed 11th at the state tournament under head coach Kerry Wheeler. A 2002 All-O.K. (Ottawa-Kent) Conference Red Division pick and a four-time scholar-athlete honoree, Carlson posted a 77.7 average during his junior year in 2001 as the Panthers took eighth place at the state championships. He earned three varsity letters in both golf and tennis along with two in basketball. The son of Jack and Paula Carlson, Jeff plans to major in professional golf management. His father coached football and track at West Ottawa High.

Snell earned all-state, academic all-state and All-Big 8 Conference laurels during his senior campaign at Concord High under head coach Lance Veydt as the Yellowjackets were crowned Class C state champions. Snell, who was the state finals’ medalist in 2002 and a two-time conference individual champion, helped CHS capture both its second consecutive conference and regional championship titles this past fall. The two-year team captain garnered CHS’ Most Valuable Player Award as a senior while compiling a 77.2 stroke average. Snell, who holds the school’s single-season mark for the third and fourth lowest season average, helped guide the Yellowjackets to four league titles and three state tourney berths during his prep career. The son of Howard and Shelley Snell, Kyle plans to pursue a pharmacy degree and his older sister Kristy is a member of the Michigan State University women’s volleyball team.