Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Sign Two to Letters of Intent
4/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
April 26, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana men's golf head coach Mike Mayer announced that Ren Han and Paul Park have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Indiana University beginning in the fall semester of 2007.
Han will make history by joining the Hoosiers, as he will become the first Chinese passport holder to play men's collegiate golf in the U.S. Han, who moved to Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, in 2003 but retains his Chinese passport, brings an impressive resume to the Hoosier program. A 2005 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) honorable mention All-American, he captured the Fidelity Investments Junior Classic that year with a tournament total of 216 (72-74-70). In 2006, Han placed second at the same event, firing a tournament-record 65 at the Ruby Hill Golf Club in Pleasanton, Calif.
In addition to his AJGA success, Han has played in five professional events in China, most recently the European Tour's Volvo China Masters on April 12-15. After rounds of 74 and 72 to open the event, Han made the cut and finished the tournament in a tie for 73rd place with a total of 299 (74-72-80-73). He had previously made the cut in the 2006 China PGA Midea Classic and missed the cut at the European Tour's TCL Classic last year. In his final year living in China, Han had one win and three other top-three finishes in China's four major junior tournaments.
"One of the things that attracted us so much to Ren is that he just loves to play golf," Mayer said. "He plays a lot of junior tournaments all over the country. He brings a wealth of experience, not only at the junior level, but as indicated with what he did at the China Masters, at the national level, as well. To make a cut at a European Tour event at his age is really somewhat unbelievable. We are thrilled to have Ren as one of our new Indiana Hoosiers, and we think he is going to be an immediate impact player for us."
Joining Han will be Park, a native of Wayne, N.J. Another player will extensive junior golf experience, Park has participated in tournaments on both the local and national levels. In 2006, Park captured titles at the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) French Creek Open with a total of 143 (72-71) and the University of Florida Open with a 141 (70-71). He finished 10th at the AJGA Fidelity Investments Junior at Trump National, and also wrapped up the 34th Southern Junior Championship in 18th place.
A two-time first team all-state honoree and three-time first team all-region selection, Park was the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) sectional champion in 2005 and 2006. He also finished tied for second at the 2006 Bergen County Amateur Championship.
"Paul Park is another young man who attracted our attention because of the sheer volume of tournaments he plays in all over the United States," Mayer said. "There is no substitute for experience, and Paul has that experience. He's been very successful at all junior levels, he plays all over the country and we very much like that about him. He hits the ball a long way, has great fundamentals and a great technique, so we look for him also to come in right away and challenge for a spot in the top five."
