University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Men's Golf Signs Pair
Jul 26, 2016 | Men's Golf
Camden Backel and Rodi Vlasveld step into Tiger program that finished seventh at the NCAA Regional in 2016
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis head men's golf coach Blake Smart has announced the signing of two incoming student-athletes in Madison, Mississippi, native Camden Backel, and Rodi Vlasveld of Haarlem, The Netherlands.
Backel, who played last season for Meridian Community College, averaged 73.90 strokes per round for the Eagles, third-best on the team and 73rd best in all of junior college golf. He earned a spot on the All-State Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Team, and to the All-Region 23 Team.
Heading into his senior year of high school, Backel qualified for the PGA Tour's Sanderson Farms Championship, by shooting a final-round 67, and beating out eight other players in the tiebreaker. At the event, despite being the youngest player in the field, he shot rounds of 74 and 78.
"Camden was a late addition that will add some firepower for us immediately this season," said Smart. "There are very few players in the country that have qualified for a PGA Tour event, and we now have one of them. Having that taste of "tour life" has him hungry to work and improve, and we are an excellent place for him to achieve those goals."
He helped lead Madison Central High School team to two consecutive Class 6 State Championships in 2014 and 2015, and earned four medalist honors during those two seasons, including at the 2014 District 6 Tournament with a two-under-par 70.
"I love everything about the University," said Backel. "The people, the coaches, and its location. The University of Memphis is where I see myself excelling as a student, and a golfer."
Vlasveld comes to Memphis and will be eligible for the 2017-18 season. A graduate of Gemeentelijk Instituut in Brasschaat, Belgium, he competed independently of his school. He keeps a streak alive of players from The Netherlands on a Tiger squad, as he comes in as 2015-16 All-American Lars van Meijel opened his professional career.
"We are pleased to have Rodi join us this coming season," said Smart. "He is a very mature young man with an exceptional work ethic and solid fundamentals. He will be sitting out his first year but will have three years with us after that, and he will make a significant impact at that point."
Introduced to golf from his father, he took lessons at the Royal Antwerp Golf Course, before moving onto the Jason Floyd Golf Academy in Spain. There is trained during the evening hours while taking his high school classes during the day.
His self-described most memorable golf moment came in 2015 during the interclub match play. His squad needed a win to remain in its division, and had a 1-1 score after the morning foursome. With the team score at 3-3 in the final round, he rebounded from being a stroke down after the 15th hole, and pulling through for an individual and team win on the 18th hole.
The Tigers finished the 2015-16 season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Regionals, and a runner-up finish at the American Athletic Conference championships. Two players, Lars van Meijel and Thomas Perrot were named All-Region, with van Meijel also earning All-America honors.
Backel, who played last season for Meridian Community College, averaged 73.90 strokes per round for the Eagles, third-best on the team and 73rd best in all of junior college golf. He earned a spot on the All-State Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Team, and to the All-Region 23 Team.
Heading into his senior year of high school, Backel qualified for the PGA Tour's Sanderson Farms Championship, by shooting a final-round 67, and beating out eight other players in the tiebreaker. At the event, despite being the youngest player in the field, he shot rounds of 74 and 78.
"Camden was a late addition that will add some firepower for us immediately this season," said Smart. "There are very few players in the country that have qualified for a PGA Tour event, and we now have one of them. Having that taste of "tour life" has him hungry to work and improve, and we are an excellent place for him to achieve those goals."
He helped lead Madison Central High School team to two consecutive Class 6 State Championships in 2014 and 2015, and earned four medalist honors during those two seasons, including at the 2014 District 6 Tournament with a two-under-par 70.
"I love everything about the University," said Backel. "The people, the coaches, and its location. The University of Memphis is where I see myself excelling as a student, and a golfer."
Vlasveld comes to Memphis and will be eligible for the 2017-18 season. A graduate of Gemeentelijk Instituut in Brasschaat, Belgium, he competed independently of his school. He keeps a streak alive of players from The Netherlands on a Tiger squad, as he comes in as 2015-16 All-American Lars van Meijel opened his professional career.
"We are pleased to have Rodi join us this coming season," said Smart. "He is a very mature young man with an exceptional work ethic and solid fundamentals. He will be sitting out his first year but will have three years with us after that, and he will make a significant impact at that point."
Introduced to golf from his father, he took lessons at the Royal Antwerp Golf Course, before moving onto the Jason Floyd Golf Academy in Spain. There is trained during the evening hours while taking his high school classes during the day.
His self-described most memorable golf moment came in 2015 during the interclub match play. His squad needed a win to remain in its division, and had a 1-1 score after the morning foursome. With the team score at 3-3 in the final round, he rebounded from being a stroke down after the 15th hole, and pulling through for an individual and team win on the 18th hole.
The Tigers finished the 2015-16 season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Regionals, and a runner-up finish at the American Athletic Conference championships. Two players, Lars van Meijel and Thomas Perrot were named All-Region, with van Meijel also earning All-America honors.
Players Mentioned
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