By AARON SNYDER — The Independent
LLOYD — Greenup County senior Dagan Abdon didn’t think twice about where he would play college golf.
That’s because Western Kentucky coach Brian Tirpak wouldn’t let him.
“He was the only one that was really trying to recruit me real hard,” Abdon said. “He said how much faith he had in me.
“I wanted to go somewhere that wanted me,” he added.
Abdon signed with Western Kentucky University on Wednesday at Greenup County High School in front of his parents, a small crowd of students, athletic director Chris Ailster and coach Roger Gillum.
According to Gillum, Coastal Carolina, Michigan State, Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky all showed interest, but Western Kentucky was the frontrunner throughout the recruiting process.
Abdon made an official visit to the campus, located in Bowling Green, in September and enjoyed the facilities and the area.
Abdon said that Bowling Green was the right fit for him because it’s not too large of a city, but there’s still quite a bit to do.
Dagan’s father, Todd, was supportive of his son’s decision and thought he would make the transition fluidly.
“He’s got some kind of knack about him to fit in,” Todd Abdon said. “Everybody kind of looks up to him wherever he goes.”
If his high school career serves as any indication, he certainly won’t have trouble fitting in on the golf course.
The senior began playing varsity golf as a sixth-grader and closed out his illustrious career with two All-State recognitions, three individual region titles and helped his team finish fifth in the state this past season.
Abdon finished second in the state in total points in 2009, behind only St. Xavier’s Justin Thomas, the state champion.
As a Hilltopper, Abdon will have opportunities to play the best golf courses throughout the country, including those in Hawaii, Texas, Arizona and Florida.
“That was a bonus right there,” Abdon said of the schedule.
The men’s golf team practices at Bowling Green Country Club, where Abdon recently finished ninth in the State Tournament. They also will practice at The Club at Olde Stone.
Abdon has had a chance to meet some of the players that will be his teammates. He will join, among others, Neil Horsley, who recently finished fourth in the Renaissance Invitational in Fort Myers, Fla., as a junior.
Abdon expects to get swinging immediately upon arrival next fall.
“I think I can work my way in there right off the bat,” he said.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
