Razorback Golf Inks Blue-Chip Recruits

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas head coach Brad McMakin has signed two players to national letters of intent with one player arriving in time to help the Razorbacks out this year.

The 2006 fall class includes Federico Colombo and Sam Chavez. Colombo, a native of Milan, Italy, will begin classes at the University of Arkansas in January and be eligible to play this spring. Chavez, a Hillsborough, Calif., native will arrive on campus next August to solidify the 2007-2008 team.

“Getting a kid like Federico Colombo, who is probably top 20 (amateurs) in the world, is big,” McMakin said. “He has played all over the world and I think he will be able to come in and fill that No. 1 spot in our lineup. He is going to be a huge impact on this team.”

Colombo spent the fall playing for the Italian National Team in the Eisenhower Cup in South Africa. He is ranked as the No. 1 Italian amateur and has captured numerous European amateur titles.

Chavez finished second in the 2006 North-South Junior in Pinehurst, N.C., which is one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the country. He has also had top finishes in numerous AJGA junior tournaments across the United States.

“Sam Chavez is an incredible pick up for us,” McMakin said. “He is a top 30 player in the country out of California and has played all over the country.”

“Both of these guys – Federico this spring and Sam next fall – are probably going to be starters right away. We are getting better immediately with these two guys.”