Wolverines Ink Pumford, Rankin in Early Signing Period
11/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's golf coach Andrew Sapp announced today (Wednesday, Nov. 17) the signing of Bill Rankin (Traverse City, Mich./Central HS) and Nick Pumford (St. Charles, Mich./St. Charles Community HS) to National Letters of Intent for the 2005-06 academic year.
"Bill and Nick were both Michigan Super Team members and will come to the University of Michigan with a lot of golf experience," said Sapp. "Both are extremely hard workers with a lot of desire, and should come in next fall and compete for the starting lineup. They will be great complements to our returning players and we are excited to have them join the Maize and Blue."
Rankin, a 2004 Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Golf Super Team selection, was a four-year letterwinner at Traverse City Central (2001-05). A four-time Regional Dream Team selection (2001-04), he earned MIGCA All-State team honors in 2003 and honorable mention honors in 2002. A two-time medalist runner-up at his conference tournament, he was a four-time all-conference selection. As a senior he had 11 top five and 14 top 10 finishes in 16 total tournaments. In 2002 he was selected as the Northern Michigan Junior Tour Player of the Year and earned Junior Tour All-American honors in 2003. Rankin has been a three-year National Honor Society member and received the 2004 Trojan Golf Scholar Award.
"Bill is a Michigan legacy," said Sapp. "His parents went to Michigan and his sister is currently a junior, so he bleeds Maize and Blue. He has a lot of talent, and has had some high finishes in junior golf tournaments. Bill helps give us some depth and additional competition for the next four years."
Pumford, a 2004 State of Michigan Mr. Golf candidate, was a four-time letterwinner at St. Charles Community High School. The three-time Division III All-State member finished in the top five in the Michigan state finals three years in a row, tallying a medalist runner-up finish in 2004 and a pair of fourth place finished in the 2002 and 2003. He was a 2004 Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Golf Super Team selection. During his four year career he collected 11 titles in 30 high school competitions. Pumford is a member of the National Honor Society and was a four-year honor roll student.
"Nick had a very good fall high school season finishing second at the state finals," said Sapp. "He also took his golf to the next level this past summer by qualifying for and making it to match play at the Michigan State Amateur Championship. He is an extremely hard worker who will just get better every year."
The Maize and Blue only lose one senior from the 2004-05 team. Fifth-year senior Rob Tighe (Traverse City, Mich./West HS) will exhaust his eligibility after the completion of the spring season.
Bill Rankin
Righthanded, Traverse City, Mich. (Traverse City Central HS)
2004 Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Golf (MIGCA) Super Team
2003 MIGCA Division I All State Team
2002 MIGCA Division I Honorable Mention
Four-time Regional Dream Team selection (2001, '02, '03, '04)
Four-time All Conference (2001, '02, '03, '04)
Runner-up at Conference tournament (2002 and 2003)
Third at Conference tournament (2004)
Fourth at Conference tournament (2001)
Four-year varsity golf letterwinner (2001-04)
As a senior finished in the top 10 in 14 of 16 tournaments, with 11 top five finishes.
2004 co-captain
2004 Low Scoring Average Award
2004 Most Consistent Golfer Award
2004 Low Putt Average Award
2004 Trojan Golf Scholar Award
2004 medalist at Traverse City Invitational
2004 medalist at the Westfield Junior PGA State Championship
2004 medalist runner-up at Buick Junior Open
2004 medalist runner-up at U.S Junior Amateur Qualifier
2004 medalist runner-up at Hudson Junior Invitational
2003 medalist runner-up Big "I" statewide tournament
2003 Junior Tour All-American
2002 Northern Michigan Junior Tour Player of the Year
2002 medalist at Sault St. Marie Invitational
Traverse City Central H.S. Academic Award (2003 and 2004)
Three-year National Honor Society member
Three-year Goodwill Volunteer
Worked with Project Hero and D.A.R.E.
Nick Pumford
Righthanded, St. Charles, Mich. (St. Charles Community HS)
2004 State of Michigan Mr. Golf candidate
2004 Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Golf (MIGCA) Super Team
Three-time Division III All-State (2002, '03, '04)
Four-year varsity golf letterwinner (2001-04)
Three-time team MVP (2002, '03, '04)
As a senior (2004): averages, summer (74.60), High School (73.20)
Five-time medalist and two-time medalist runner-up
Medalist runner-up at Division III regional
Medalist runner-up at Michigan Division III state finals
Nine top five finishes in nine tournaments
Competed on the American Junior Golf Association Tour
Michigan Amateur Championship, advance to match-play
As a junior (2003): averages, summer (74.22), High School (72.40)
Five-time medalist with one medalist runner-up finish
Eight top five finishes in eight tournaments
Competed on the Power Built Junior Tour
Medalist runner-up at Michigan Junior Amateur qualifier, 16th at Finals
As a sophomore (2002): averages, summer (74.00), High School (75.50)
Seven top 10 finishes in seven tournaments
Medalist at Tri-Valley Conference Match
Fourth at Michigan Division III state finals
Competed on the Power Built Tour
Five top 5 finishes in five tournaments
As a freshman (2001): averages, summer (80.78), High School (81.00)
Four top 10 finishes in six tournaments
Competed on the Power Built Junior Tour
Three top 10 finishes in three tournaments
2001 medalist at the Michigan Junior Open
National Honor Society
Four-year Honor Roll Student
St. Charles Community H.S. High Honors
Optimist Club Honors
Volunteer at Adult Foster Care Home and Dr. Seuss Reading Program
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
