Michigan Adds Ghelfi, Snyder During Early Signing Period
11/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 17, 2015
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's golf head coach Jan Dowling announced today (Tuesday, Nov. 17) the signings of Hannah Ghelfi and Alisa Snyder to National Letters of Intent for the 2016-17 season.
"We are thrilled to announce the signing of both Alisa and Hannah," said Dowling. "As our program continues to grow, they have committed to our desire for continual improvement. Both have the character and passion for the game of golf to contribute in a big way."
A Falmouth, Massachusetts, native, Ghelfi spent two years at Falmouth High School before transferring to Lawrence Academy. She highlighted her 2015 season by capturing the Pippy O'Connor Independent School Girls Classic (75) to claim the New England Prep School individual championship. She followed later in the week with a 71 (-1) to earn the individual title at the ISL's Boys/Girls Coed Kingman Tournament. Ghelfi's one-under-par championship score helped Lawrence Academy to a third-place tie, eight strokes off the lead.
Outside her prep season in 2015, she finished seventh at the Northern Junior Championship (71-79/150) and AJGA Killington Junior Championship (77-76-76/229) and was fourth in her sectional qualifier for the Junior PGA Championship. She add three top-10 finishes in 2015 U.S. Challenge events.
In 2014, Ghelfi qualified for the U.S. Junior Girls Championship and the Callaway Junior World Championship and claimed medalist honors at the 2014 U.S. Challenge Cup at the Granite State Junior Championship. That same year, she was a member of the Cape Cod Storm girls hockey team that won both the 2014 state and national championships.
"Hannah is an outstanding all-around athlete that has recently dedicated herself to competitive golf year round," said Dowling. "She is continually gaining experience as she transitions to collegiate golf. But, you can't be fooled; she has also qualified and competed in two major national junior tournaments, which is a feather in her cap.
"With her team experience as a hockey player, athletic background and surrounding herself with experienced collegiate golfers 12 months a year, I see Hannah contributing and excelling at Michigan rather quickly. We are so excited for Hannah to join our program and help us reach new heights."
Phoenix native Snyder has been instrumental in Xavier Prep's domination in Arizona girls golf. She was part of three consecutive Division I state championship teams, winning the individual state title in 2015 with a seven-under 137 (68-69). She was third in 2014 (68-75/143, -1) and 12th in 2013 (76-75/151). Xavier Prep, which has won 33 total state titles, won the team championship by 45 shots in 2015, 35 in 2014, and 23 in 2013 with Snyder's help. She was named the 2015 Girls Golfer of the Year and first team All-Arizona by azcentral.com.
"Alisa has a long history of proving she can fire rounds in the 60s, which is an incredible asset as she transitions into her collegiate career," said Dowling. "Additionally, throughout this past year she has learned to capitalize on her opportunities to close out tournaments. She's won a lot of events and is gaining experience on the national level, both of which are invaluable. Alisa is going to make a mark on our program, and we are thrilled to have her join our team."
In the summer of 2015, Snyder had top-five finishes in her five Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) events, including medalist honors at the Thompson Invitational (69-68/137) and Thunderbird Invitational (74-65/139). She was the runner-up at the Thunderbird Junior Classic (72-71/143). She also won four Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) events with her latest at the FCWT Classic at Arizona State.
After finishing third (72-75/147) at her sectional qualifier, Snyder advanced to play in the 2015 Junior PGA Championship, tying for 21st (72-77-76-78). She also represented the state of Arizona in the 2015 Girls Junior Americas Cup.
Michigan loses just one senior, Catherine Peters, to graduation.
Communications Contact: Tom Wywrot
Players Mentioned
