Hilton Head Christian golfers Lehman, Bartolomucci sign with colleges
Given the history of the past three years, this day could have seemed like a prophecy fulfilled for Hilton Head Christian Academy's Matt Lehman and RJ Bartolomucci.
The golfers signed letters of intent to continue their careers in college, continuing a short-lived but impressive tradition in the Eagles' golf program.
Lehman will play for Furman, while Bartolomucci will tee it up for High Point.
Lehman said he talked to a handful of schools and his brother, J.D. Lehman, a junior on Louisville's golf team, before making a decision.
I loved the coaches," Lehman said. "I thought I could give myself a lot of opportunity at Furman, both athletically and academically. I loved Greenville.
"It just seemed like the best fit for me."
Lehman said he'll study business.
"After visiting (High Point), it was really hard to say no," Bartolomucci said. "I love the coach, and everyone around there was great. And I really loved the campus."
The Eagles have won three straight SCISAA Class 2-A state championships. And from those teams, almost all of the program's starters have gone on to play college golf.
Lehman's brother J.D. was on the first of the three championship teams. He encouraged his brother to make his own choice about colleges, Matt Lehman said.
"It came down to Furman and Louisville for me ... ," Matt Lehman said. "(J.D. said) 'do it for the right reasons. Make the decision for what you want, not because I'm here at Louisville.' He was very helpful in all of this."
Bryson Nimmer and Jonathan Phillips were on all three championship teams and are freshmen at Clemson and Charleston Southern, respectively. Trace Crowe, on two title teams at HHCA, is a freshman at Auburn.
"To win three state championships is pretty special," Matt Lehman said. "RJ and I are really hoping to win this year and make it all four years."
"We've had quite a run," Bartolomucci said. "We're going to try to do that one more time."
Matt Lehman
Hilton Head Christian Academy, golf
College: Furman
Noteworthy: Member of three straight SCISAA Class 2-A state championship teams. Second in 2015 SCGA Junior Match Play Championship at Dataw Island. All-State, IPBG All-Area in 2014.
Quote: "I've got to test my game a little bit against better competition. So this summer I'll start to play more amateur stuff, playing against college players. ... If I continue to stay on track, I think I can go to Furman and play right away."
RJ Bartolomucci
Hilton Head Christian Academy, golf
College: High Point
Noteworthy: Member of three straight SCISAA Class 2-A state championship teams. IPBG All-Area in 2014
Quote: "Once summer comes, I plan on busting my butt to get where I need to be."
This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 1:03 AM with the headline "Hilton Head Christian golfers Lehman, Bartolomucci sign with colleges."