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UTM signs state's top golfers


Jackson's Robert Lents signed a national letter of intent, during the early signing period this week, to play golf for UTM.

Lents, a senior at Trinity Christian Academy (TCA), made it official Wednesday by signing scholarship papers to play golf for Jerry Carpenter's Skyhawks.

"UTM is extremely pleased to add a player of this caliber to our program," said Jerry Carpenter, second-year head coach for the Skyhawks. "I expect Robert to play immediately and make a valuable contribution to our program next year."

Lents finished second runner-up in the 2001 state tournament and led University School of Jackson to the 2002 state championship.

He also was a member of the 2002 all-state golf team and finished fifth in the 2002 state tournament, with rounds of 71 and 73.

"I knew I wanted to go to UT Martin," Lents said. "Memphis and Union were recruiting me, but I liked Tennessee-Martin's proximity to Jackson, their team, and the campus."

Lents averaged 76.1 per round in 2002. This past season at Trinity Christian, Lents averaged 75.3 per round. He finished this past season's state tournament tied for third overall and fired a 71 in final round action. Lents also won this year's region championship.

"He is one of the top players in West Tennessee and the state," Carpenter said. "Robert is an excellent iron player, a straight driver off the tee, and a steady putter. His greatest assets are course management and playing within his abilities."

UTM also picked up two more top golfers to play next season for Coach Jerry Carpenter.

John Slayton from Crockett County, and Brian Bain from Hardin County both signed scholarships to play golf for the Skyhawks. The golfers signed during last week's early signing period.

"Slayton is straight off the tee and is a good short iron player," Carpenter said. "Bain knows how to manage his game while playing a golf course, and he always seems to pull the right club for each shot."

Slayton was a Best of the West nominee this past season. He finished third at the Tennessee Junior Amateur Championship and fourth at the Trojan Classic this past season. He averaged 37 strokes per nine holes as a senior.

Bain competed in the State Class AAA tournament and finished second in the District 13-AAA tournament. He averaged 38 strokes per round as a senior.

"Slayton's strongest asset is that he knows how to manage his golf game around the course and keeps calm during adversity," Carpenter said.

"Bain is a very good student, a fine young man with a good golf work ethic. Both of these players have a chance to play in the fall," Carpenter said.