Nov. 28, 2006

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton men's golf coach Drew Tyrer announced the recent commitment of two prep players to the Flyer golf program on Tuesday. Jeff Hodapp of Cincinnati's Roger Bacon High School and Ian Gilley Lake Highland Prep in Orlando, Fla. will join the UD roster for the 2007-2008 season.

"These two young men will be great assets for our golf program and our university," Tyrer said. "They have competed at a very high level on the junior golf circuit. Jeff and Ian have great attitudes, love golf and are strong students. We are excited to have them join the UD golf family."

Hodapp is a two-time winner of the GCGA Metropolitan Junior Championship. He took home the title in 2005 with rounds of 70 and 71 and defended his title in 2006 with scores of 71 and 74. Hodapp also won the Westfield Junior PGA Southern Ohio Sectional Qualifier with back-to-back rounds of 71 and 74. He is a four-year letterwinner at Roger Bacon High School, where he was also named the 2006 Greater Catholic League Most Valuable Player.

"Jeff is an athletic kid who has a great swing," Tyrer said. "He had a very successful summer and senior season, giving him the confidence to make the jump to the collegiate level."

Gilley has been a two-time team MVP for Lake Highland Prep. He won the 2005 Pepsi Little Peoples Championship in Quincy, Ill. Gilley carded rounds of 72 and 67 to take home the title. He also beat out a field of 164 other golfers to win the 2005 Brad Fowler Invitational.

"Ian moved from Illinois down to Florida during his junior year of high school," Tyrer said. "He has won some very tough golf tournaments in tough conditions. His best golf is to come. He has great fundamentals and works continuously on his game."

UD finished eighth at the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championships behind the play of 2006 A-10 Most Outstanding Rookie Performer Rob Chappell. The Flyers will continue their 2006-2007 season on Feb. 19 & 20 at the CSU Spring Kickoff in North Charleston, SC. Dayton will play in seven tournaments this Spring including the UD Invitational on April 23 & 24. The Invitational will be held at NCR Country Club which has been host to the 1969 PGA Championship, 1986 U.S Women's Open, 1998 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship and the 2005 U.S. Senior Open. It also played host to the 2003 Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship.