Men's golf adds three signees

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis men's golf coach Blake Smart announced Tuesday his team's three signees – Matt Stuart of Birmingham, Jacob Kight of Louisville, Miss., and Phuripon `Ultra' Namkang of Bangkok.

The addition of Stuart will allow him to reunite with current Tiger Landon Carner, who also attended Spain Park High in Birmingham before joining the UofM program. Stuart emerged as a standout golfer in his early teens by shooting a 63 as a 15-year-old.

"Matthew is another talented player from the city of Birmingham," Smart said. "He is a strong academic performer and I look forward to seeing his development over his early years and the impact that he will have for us. He is very athletic and will be a powerful player."

Kight may be one of the most athletic golfers Smart has signed since taking over the Memphis golf program during the 2014-15 season.

The 6-foot-4 Kight was accomplished in several sports. He played for the Nanih Waiya Attendance Center baseball team and twice had the walk-off game-winning hit to clinch the state title. As a member of the football team, he played kicker and tight end.

But Kight enjoyed the most success as a golfer, where he made the winning putt to clinch the 2017 state title. He also earned 2018 All-State first-team honors. He was the individual state golf champ in 2016 and 2017.

"Jake is a guy you just don't see very often in college golf," Smart said. "He is a multi-sport athlete, and not just participating in other sports but being All-State in three different sports. Jake has tremendous speed and length off the tee and I believe his competitiveness will make him a dynamic piece to our roster."

Namkang, a member of the Thailand Junior Golf Team in 2011, '13 and '15, will come to Memphis from Hills International College. Like Stuart, he enjoyed success in the sport at a young age. At age 13, he shot an 11-under 61 in the Mercedes Benz Junior Championship and finished the 36-hole event at 15-under 129.

Namkang also had impressive results in match-play events. He won the 2015 Hills College match play despite being down three with four holes remaining. He won on the 19^th hole. He also won the SEQDGA Junior four years (2015 through 2018).

In 2017, he was honored at the Player of the Year in the Queensland Intercollegiate Golf Association.

"We are very excited about Ultra joining our program," Smart said. "He has performed at a very high level for a long time and has excellent fundamentals, as well as a strong work ethic. I expect Ultra to see immediate playing time and to have an impact on our team."

The additions of the three signees will help the Tigers offset the loss of four seniors after the 2018-19 season.

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