Nov. 15, 2011
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois men's golf head coach Mike Small announced the signing of Charlie Danielson (Osceola, Wis./Osceola), Thomas Detry (Nijlen, Belgium/Sportschool Hasselt) and David Kim (Redondo Beach, Calif./Mira Costa) to national letters of intent. All three golfers will join the Illini in 2012-13 following successful junior careers. Danielson won a Wisconsin high school state title, Detry was the 2011 Belgium National Match Play champion and Kim advanced to the match play portion at the 2011 U.S. Amateur.
"We are excited about all three players that we have signed," Small said. "All three are very talented and each one brings something different to our program. What I am most excited about is that not one of them is coming in with a ceiling. They are each going to be able to grow as players here and continue to add to the tradition of our golf program. I know all three guys are very excited about playing golf for the university, and likewise, our coaching staff is just as excited about getting them here to be a part of our future."
Profiles on the Newest Illini
Charlie Danielson
Hometown: Osceola, Wis.
High School: Osceola
Notes: 2010 Wisconsin high school state champion as a sophomore ... Runner-up at the 2011 Wisconsin state high school tournament as a junior ... Won the 2011 PGA Junior Series Nebraska in a field of 80 players after placing as the runner-up in the event in 2010 ... Took third at the 2010 PGA Junior Series Wisconsin ... Two-time WSGA state junior champion in 2008-09.
Coach Small on Danielson:
"Charlie is 6-5 and strong. He had a lot of success during junior golf and is a former Wisconsin state high school champion. He is coming back from an injury that he had this year, but is still highly rated. He comes from a great golfing family and knows how to win."
Thomas Detry
Hometown: Nijlen, Belgium
High School: Sportschool Hasselt
Notes: 2011 Belgium National Match Play Champion ... Semifinalist at the 2011 British Boys Amateur Championship ... Was selected to represent Belgium at the 2010 World Amateur Team Championship ... Also was picked to represent Europe in 2010 Junior Ryder Cup.
Coach Small on Detry:
"Thomas brings a worldwide experience to our team. He travels the world playing for his country along with playing the top junior events in Europe. He is an unbelievable talent and has a great short game, which we are excited about. He has the body and makeup to really mature and grow physically."
David Kim
Hometown: Redondo Beach, Calif.
High School: Mira Costa
Notes: Qualified for 2011 U.S. Amateur Championship and advanced to match play portion ... Took fifth at the 2011 Inland Empire Amateur Championship ... Placed 11th at the 2011 Champions Invitational ... Came in eighth at the 2011 AJGA Ping Phoenix Junior ... Finished 12th at the 2011 AJGA Heather Farr Invitational.
Coach Small on Kim:
"David is really improving a lot lately. He has already proven he can play at a high level by making the cut at the U.S. Amateur as a junior in high school. He is physically strong and talented, and his learning curve will be very steep here at Illinois."
