The University of Louisville men’s golf team signed a talented trio to National Letters of Intent in the 2023 signing class, head coach Ryan Blagg announced on Wednesday.
The Cardinals signed Elias Kennon from Old Greenwich, Conn., Cooper Claycomb from Orlando, Fla., and Clay Pendergrass from from Richmond, Ky.
“We’re always excited about our guys that sign with us, but this group is particularly strong and has some serious depth,” Blagg said. “Cooper and Clay both have been playing great golf here in the state of Kentucky for a long time and Elias is ranked No. 1 in the northeastern part of the United States. They’re all incredibly talented but their character is what I’m the most excited about. I’m thrilled to coach them and proud that they chose to be a part of our program.”
Elias Kennon
Kennon comes to Louisville from Old Greenwich, Conn., where he attends Greens Farms Academy and was a two-time team captain and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
A three-year letterwinner, Kennon registered 40 top-10 finishes and 31 top-5 finishes during his scholastic career.
Ranked No. 1 in the state of Connecticut for the 2023 class and No. 186 in the United States, Kennon won the AJGA Junior Golf Hub Open in 2021, tying the course record in the second round with a score of 62, carding 9-under-par. In 2022, he finished second at the Connecticut Junior Amateur and third at the New England Junior Amateur.
Cooper Claycomb
Originally from Bowling Green, Ky., Claycomb comes to Louisville from Orlando, Fla., where he attends Circle Christian School.
Ranked No. 6 in the state of Florida for the class of 2023, Claycomb has competed in Junior Players, Jack Burke Invitational, Boys Junior PGA Championship, Western Junior, and Sergio Garcia Championship.
Claycomb, the No. 55-ranked recruit in the U.S., won the Orlando International Junior Amateur and finished third at the Billy Horschel Junior Championship. He also placed fourth in the Southern Junior AM at Reynolds Lake Oconee and the Scott Robertson Memorial.
Founder of the Mason Cup held annually in Bowling Green, Ky. at Olde Stone Country Club, Claycomb has raised $500,000 for the AJGA Leadership Links organization and the Mason Goodnight Foundation.
Clay Pendergrass
Pendergrass comes to Louisville from Richmond, Ky., where he attends Madison Central High School. While at Madison, Pendergrass was a four-time KHSAA 9th Region Player of the Year and a three-time First-Team All-State honoree. He finished 6th at the 2022 Kentucky state championship this year and he won 23 high school tournaments in his four years at Madison Central
The Mr. Kentucky Golf runner-up in 2021, led his team to a state championship in 2022 and two third-place finishes in 2018 and 2021.
The No. 3-ranked player in the state of Kentucky for the class of 2023, placed second at the 2022 Kentucky Junior PGA Championship and competed at the 2022 Junior PGA Championship, where he finished tied for 22nd. He also won the 2021 Golfweek Junior Tour at Gibson Bay.
Pendergrass, who is ranked No. 98 in the U.S., has recorded nine top-10 finishes in the last three years, including a second-place finish at the 2020 Golfweek Junior Tour Championship and Miami University, a third-place finish at the 2020 Kentucky Junior State Amateur, and a tied for fifth place finish at the 2022 AJGA Huntsville Junior.
by Rocco Gasparro