Charlottesville, Va. – Virginia men’s golf coach Bowen Sargent announced today the signing of a two-man recruiting class of top junior golfers who will join the Cavalier program next fall. The class includes Pietro Bovari from Milano, Italy and Liam Powderly of Cockeysville, Md.
 
“Historically, we have not signed many international players but Pietro was the perfect fit for our program as he was interested in playing college golf in the United States at an esteemed academic institution,” Sargent said. “Over the past couple of years, Pietro’s enjoyed an amazing campaign in Europe as a member of the Italian National Team. Pietro is proud to be the reigning Italian National match play champion and we are honored that he has faith in our program to help advance his game over the next four years. 
 
“Liam is a little closer to Charlottesville as he hails from Cockeysville, MD. Interestingly, Liam is one of the best high school lacrosse players in the country. Fortunately for us, Liam chose to focus on golf over the next four years. Liam is a tough competitor and it shows in his game as he’s been very successful at junior golf. As Liam’s focus becomes solely on golf I think his game will only blossom.”
 
Currently the second-highest ranked Italian player in the U18 division of the European Golf Rankings, Bovari has been a member of the Italian Golf Team since 2015, playing for coach Alberto Binaghi. With the Italian Team, he won the 2018 French International Boys Championship’s Nations Cup, the 2017 Italian International Championship’s Nations Cup and the 2015 Belgian International Team Championship.
 
In back-to-back events last summer, he claimed the championships at the Italian Boys U18 National Championship and the Italian Amateur Match Play.
 
Bovari placed 18th at the Junior PLAYERS Championship held at TPC Sawgrass in September. He has played in several professional tournaments in Italy, including a 39th-place performance at the Abruzzo Open.
 
In 2013, he was the Italian National Champion in the U12 division. His father, Antonello, is a golf teaching professional and the current president of PGA of Italy.
 
The 2017 Maryland State Golf Association’s Junior Amateur champion, Powderly tied for 12th at the 2017 Jones Cup Junior Invitational and was 13th at the 2017 Western Junior Championship. He was third at the 2018 AJGA Championship presented by Start Francis and 38th at the KJ Choi Foundation Junior Championship.
 
In October, Powderly led the Maryland team in scoring at the Mid-Atlantic Junior Boys’ Invitational.
 
Powderly is an outstanding lacrosse player for McDonogh School and was ranked the No. 10 player in the nation for the class of 2019 by RecruitingRundown.com and No. 32 by Inside Lacrosse. As an attackman, he helped McDonogh to a 13-5 record last season and the semifinals of the 2018 MIAA state championships. As a junior his team reached the state championship game.
 
“In all, we are encouraged by the athleticism and experience in the ’19 class,” Sargent said. “Both Pietro and Liam have played team sports and are accustomed to competing under intense pressure, the qualities both bring to our program will bode well for our team as we attempt to win an ACC Championship and a National Championship. Our staff looks forward to working with Liam and Pietro starting next fall to achieve their athletic and academic dreams.”