ODU Signs Golf Standouts From England and Scotland :: Henderson and Wilde join ODU's golfing family

May 3, 2008

NORFOLK, VA--Old Dominion University head men's golf coach Murray Rudisill announced the signing of Neil Henderson (North Berwick, Scotland) and Tom Wilde (Marlow, England) to letters of intent for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

Henderson won the Scotland School Stroke championship by eight strokes when he shot 66 on a par 71 and a 61 on a par 69. He also won a Scottish Golf Union Junior tour event by six strokes at the Gullane Course. Henderson placed second in the overall Scottish Golf Union points standings.

Henderson competed on Scotland's under-18 squad at the European championships played in Denmark. In the coming months, Henderson will compete at the British Open Amateur at Turnberry in Scotland, and the Royal Lytham Trophy in Liverpool.

"I chose Old Dominion because of their first class golf facilities, the southeastern Virginia area and coach Rudisill," said Henderson. "There is a lot going on at this University and I felt this is what is best for me." The North Berwick high school student is the son of Ian and Linda Henderson

Tom Wilde is a member of his region's under-21 squad which includes Cambridge, Oxford and London.

Wilde shot a course record 67 at Kastle Royle golf and country club and won the Southeast England Autumn Championship with a 70 and 73. Recently he tied for first at the East Midlands tournament with a 72 which was started by Nick Faldo.

"I've heard a lot of great things about ODU," said Wilde. "I know current golfer Matt Rendell, and former ODU All-CAA performer Geoff Harris. This is a fantastic opportunity for me to come to a university with great golf facilities, tradition and strong academics." The John Hampden High School student is the son of Chris and Heather Wilde.

"We are really fortunate to sign these two outstanding golfers from Scotland and England," said Murray Rudisill, the four-time CAA and Virginia Golf Coach of the Year. "Neil was highly recruited by a number of strong golf programs but really enjoyed his visit to Norfolk and the university. He is one of the top junior players in all of Scotland."

"Tom has spent the last six month in Australia working on his golf and getting ready for college. " Said Rudisill. "He has not visited ODU, but signed because of other players from his area who were "Monarchs" and loved their time here. "