PROVO -- The future of the BYU women's golf team looks brighter after Daphne Vines of Austin, Texas and Hannah Summerhays of Carmichael, Calif. signed letters of intent to play for the Cougars. They both signed letters of intent during the NCAA's early signing period and will enroll at BYU starting September 2006.
"This is one of the strongest recruiting classes that BYU has signed," said BYU women's golf coach Sue Nyhus. "Both Summerhays and Vines have extensive experience. They are both proven winners at the local and state level. Both players posses the ability to go low. Between them, they have posted more than 15 rounds in the 60's in competition."
Both signees have made good showings at national level competition and come as a duo ready to step up and perform at the college level.
Vines is the daughter of Don and Peggy Vines from Westlake High School. She has led the Westlake High School team all four years setting a school record of 69 in the state tournament during her sophomore year and breaking that record with a 68 her junior year. Vines has played against strong fields in Texas events, AJGA events, and USGA events including the qualifier for the Women's US Open. Although Vines will be a newcomer to the Cougar golf family, she has a family connection in her brother, Rawley, who played for the BYU men's team before leaving on an LDS Church mission, where.
Hannah Summerhays is the daughter of Gary and Lynn Summerhays of Carmichael California. Summerhays is the 11th of 12 children in her family. She comes from a family of talented golfers including her dad who played collegiate golf, her cousins Boyd (OSU-PGA), Joseph (BYU - PGA), Carrie (BYU-LPGA), Daniel (current BYU golfer), and her Uncle Bruce who currently competes on the Champion's Tour. Hannah says she loves golf because, "success depends on how hard I work and how much I want to win."
Summerhays started golf at age 11 on a nine hole golf course designed by herself. She has competed in the Sacramento First Tee program, the Junior Golf Association of Northern California, the USGA, and the PGA First Tee Open at Pebble Beach with her Uncle Bruce two consecutive years. She dominates the local events, and contends in both the regional and national events. This past summer, she won nine tournaments.
"She is a very physically strong girl," said Tim Hovancsek, a local professional who has coached Summerhays. "She understands the mechanics of her swing. She rips it."
Summerhays plays for Del Campo HS where she has led her team for four years. She has been a player and a leader in the Junior Golf Association of Northern California. Summerhays has been a leader in the First Tee Organization of Greater Sacramento and has played at every level.
"There are few major hot spots in the country for great junior golf," Nyhus said. "One is Northern California and another is Texas. So both these girls have been tested by strong competition. These players will be a great boost to our already strong team."