RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University's men's golf team has added three transfer for the 2021-22 season, head coach Mike Whitson announced today.
 
Francesco Guarneri joins the program after playing three seasons at the University of the Cumberlands.  Lake Leroux spent the previous two seasons at Wichita State University. Matt Jordan comes to Richmond after two seasons at Vincennes Community College in Indiana.
 
In 2020-21, Guarneri was a first team All-Mid-South Conference selection and the ranked 132nd golfer in the NAIA via GolfStat.  His best finish was third overall at the Mid-South Conference Spring Tournament where he carded an eagle and a score of 146 (+2) over 36-holes.  The Santiago, Chile native notched a sixth place finish at the Union University Spring Bash with a three-round score of 215 (-1).  He finished in the top 20 in all nine of UC's tournaments on the season.
 
In 2019-21, Guarneri tied for second at the East Tennessee Invite out of 50 golfers.
 
"We are thrilled that Francesco has decided to join us this fall for his last two years of college golf" Whitson said. "His experience as a college player will be invaluable to us. Francesco's junior career in Chile was outstanding and I must say I am excited to coach a South American player for the first time, adding to the experience for me and our team."
 
Leroux earned the men's golf Team Leadership Award at the 2021 Wichita State Gold Carpet Awards gala.  During the 2020-21 season, he competed individually at the Missouri Tiger Invitational in his hometown of Columbia and shot a career-low 225 over 54 holes to finish in a tie for 46th out of 78 golfers.   
 
This summer, Leroux tied for sixth at the 6th Missouri Golf Association Stroke Play Championship, shooting rounds of 69, 70, 68 and 70 for a total of 7-under 277.  He shot rounds of 71 and 71 to place seventh at the Richard Poe Invitational this past July. This past weekend Leroux won the Columbia City Championships by six shots, shooting rounds of 71 and 66 for a 137 total.
 
During the 2019-20 season, Leroux competed in each of the first two events and posted a 75.5 stroke average across six rounds.  He shot a season-low 69 in the final round of the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colorado.  In the summer of 2019, Leroux finished third at the Wichita Medal Play Championship, shooting rounds of 69 and 70 for a 3-under total of 139.
 
Before joining the program at Wichita State, Leroux played two seasons at Hutchinson Community College.  He was an all-conference performer and played on two NJCAA National Championship qualifiers.  Leroux helped the Blue Dragons to a conference title as a sophomore and to an 11th-place national tournament finish as a freshman.  Leroux was a finalist for the NJCAA's Jimmy Russell award, which combines golf, academics and community service. 
 
"Lake is coming to EKU on a hot streak for sure posting a win this past weekend" Whitson added. "As a grad student and an experienced college player, Lake will be such an asset to our team on and off the course. Lake's good golf will continue into this year and we want his year here at EKU to be a special one for him."
 
Jordan won the Hoosier Heartland Challenge with rounds of 69, 74 and 72. He also won the Vincennes University Fall Invitational with a two-round total of 143 and the Vincennes University Spring Invitational with a two-round total of 149. He took fifth place at the Garn Championship at Keene Trace Golf Course in Nicholasville, Kentucky, recording a two-round total of 157.
 
Jordan earned all-conference honors this past season after finishing fourth at the MWAC Championship at Champaign Country Club. He carded rounds of 74 and 76 to earn the honor.
 
In high school, Jordan was runner-up at sectionals as a junior and senior. He was a three-time all all-conference and all-county golfer. He notably won the 2018 Zionsville Invitational at Trophy Club with a round of 69.
 
"Matt joins us from Vincennes Community College in Vincennes, Indiana," Whitson added. "His first couple of years of college golf were very impressive. Coach Sallee and I have enjoyed talking to Matt this summer and getting to know him. We are excited for him to come to EKU and start battling for a spot right away."