Nov. 19, 2010
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State men's golf head coach Ryan Donovan announced the signing Friday of Wilson Bateman (Edmonton, Alberta) and Tad Darland (Henderson, Nev.) to National Letters of Intent. Bateman and Darland, who are each ranked among the top recruits nationally by Golfweek, will come to campus in the fall of 2011.
"We are excited to continue to add to the talent level of our program," Donovan said. "Both Wilson and Tad are left-handed players, whose short games and mental toughness stood out in the recruiting process. They will fit in well with our team's chemistry and I have high expectations for them in their Aztec careers."
Bateman is rated 47th nationally among prep recruits by Golfweek, after he tied for fourth with an 8-under 136 through two rounds of stroke play at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championships this past summer in Ada, Mich. He also finished fifth at the Canadian Junior Golf Championships in August and was the runner-up for medalist honors at the CN Future Links Pacific Championship in April.
"First of all, San Diego State is the 14th-ranked team in the nation right now," said Bateman about his decision to join the Aztecs. "I also really liked coach Donovan's (coaching) philosophy and the direction that he has the program going in. Plus, San Diego has perfect weather."
The 5-9 Bateman represented Alberta in the 2010 Junior America's Cup in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was second out of 68 golfers with an 8-under 205. He is interested in studying either business or psychology at San Diego State and is currently taking classes at home through the Florida Virtual School.
Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Darland is a senior at Coronado High School in Henderson, Nev., where he has placed in the top five at the Nevada state tournament three times, winning as a freshman in 2008. The three-time varsity letterwinner and team captain has been tabbed to the all-state and all-city golf team each of the last three seasons.
"Ever since I went to campus for my visit, I could see myself as an Aztec," Darland said. "Coach Donovan is a great role model and is really moving the program in a positive direction."
The 5-10 Darland was third at the AJGA Las Vegas Open in 2010, after taking sixth at the same event in 2009. He was also eighth at the 2009 Stars of Texas Junior Open, 15th at the 2010 Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championships and is a two-time qualifier for the Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championships.
Off the course, he boasts a 4.725 grade-point average, is a three-time all-state academic team member and is interested in majoring in international business at San Diego State. Darland's father, Tommy, is the director of golf at Anthem Country Club in Henderson, Nev., and played collegiately at Texas Tech.
The Aztecs, who ended the 2010 fall campaign ranked as high as 14th nationally by Golfweek, resume action on Jan. 31, when the team travels to Tucson, Ariz., for the Arizona Invitational.
2010 Aztec Men's Golf Fall Signees
Name, Ht., Hometown (High School)
Wilson Bateman, 5-9, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Florida Virtual School)
Tad Darland, 5-10, Lubbock, Texas (Coronado High School (Henderson, Nev.))