Thomas Walsh Set to Join Cavalier Golf Program
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Nov. 14, 2014 Charlottesville, Va. – Thomas Walsh, one of the nation’s top junior golfers, has signed a National Letter of Intent and will compete for the Cavaliers this fall. A native of High Point, N.C., Walsh is the top-ranked junior in the state of North Carolina.
Golfweek lists Walsh the No. 23 player in this year’s collegiate signing class. He is ranked No. 31 nationally among juniors by Golfweek and is listed No. 43 by Junior Golf Scoreboard.
“I am thrilled to announce the signing of Thomas Walsh,” said Virginia coach Bowen Sargent. “Thomas has worked diligently over the last year to reach the top the North Carolina rankings. For him to have the confidence in the University of Virginia, for both his academic and athletic goals, speaks volumes about our program.
“North Carolina is traditionally one of the strongest states in the country for junior golf. We have been fortunate to have recent graduates from there including Will Collins, Ben Kohles and Bruce Woodall. With his confidence, skill and work ethic, I would expect Thomas to have the type of collegiate career all three of those players enjoyed at UVa. He is a tremendous addition to our program.”
Walsh has assembled an impressive resume during his five years of competing on the American Junior Golf Association tour. He has five top-five finishes and eight top-10 outings He took medalist honors at the IZOD AJGA Championship in August in Kannapolis, N.C.
Walsh placed seventh at the 2012 Jones Cup Junior and won the Carolinas Golf Association’s 2013 Jimmy Anderson Championship. He played on USGA-China Junior Ryder Cup team in 2012 at Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco and Corde de Valle. He qualified for the inaugural 2015 USGA Four-ball in San Francisco. Walsh has been a member of the 2014 Carolinas Amateur Team against Virginias Amateur team in Captain’s Putter Cup.
In 2012, he was honored by the AJGA with its Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award, bestowed each year to one junior golfer who displays exemplary sportsmanship and integrity in the game of golf. In 2012, as a high school sophomore, he helped to found the Dormie Cup, a Ryder Cup-style fundraising tournament held at his home course, the Dormie Club in West End, N.C.
In just three years, the Dormie Cup has raised nearly $100,000 for charities including the AJGA ACE Grant, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer and Wounded Warriors.
Walsh has had an equally impressive high school career at Westchester Country Day. He has received all-state honors four times and won the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 2A state championship in 2014 after being the runner-up in 2011 and 2013. He helped his team win four state titles (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014) during his prep career.