Dunne, Sullivan Sign with Wolverines During Early NLI Period

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's golf head coach Chris Whitten announced today (Monday, Nov. 13) the signing of Ben Dunne (Cedar Park, Texas) and Patrick Sullivan (Grosse Pointe, Michigan) to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

"We couldn't be more excited to add Ben and Patrick to our team," said Whitten. "They are perfect fits for the way we coach and for the University of Michigan. They will arrive next fall with big expectations, and we're excited to help them every step of the way."

Entering his final season at Cedar Park High School, Dunne ranks No. 55 for the class of 2018 by Golfweek as well as the National Junior Golf Scoreboard (NJGS). Last season, his fourth-place individual finish (70-75/145) helped Cedar Park finish as the runner-up at the Class 5A championship.

Dunne added two top-10 finishes in the summer of 2017, finishing eighth at the AJGA's Bishops Gate Golf Academy Junior (71-73-73/217) and ninth at the LJT Jimmy Demaret Junior Classic (69-71/140). Additionally, he posted strong finishes at the AJGA's Under Armour/Hunter Mahan Championship (25th, 75-77/154), Golfweek International Junior Invitational (30th, 74-75/149) and Western Junior Championship (38th, 72-70-69-77/288).

"Ben really stood out to us early this past summer when he played well in significant junior events consecutive weeks in a row," commented Whitten. "His game is so technically sound already, and that makes him so fun to watch. He comes from a golf-rich state and has high expectations of himself, which is a sign of a great player.

"Ben really connected with our coaching approach, and we're excited to start working with him. He's lucky to get tremendous support from his family at home, and I think he felt comfortable going pretty far away from home for college because of the people he met here who will help him every day."

Ranked No. 75 for the class of 2018 by Golfweek and No. 1 in Michigan's class of 2018 by the NJGS, Sullivan earned Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association (MIGCA) Division I All-State honors last season after helping Grosse Pointe South finish as the Division I runner-up for a second straight season. With his medalist finish at the Region 5 championship, he was instrumental in South's advancement to the finals for the sixth straight year.

"We've known Patrick and his family for a long time, and he continues to surpass everyone's expectations," said Whitten. "He has a very natural game and keeps finding ways to get better. His athleticism and speed make him look like a successful college golfer right now. He understands Michigan, the traditions here and where our team wants to go. Maybe most importantly, he'll be a fantastic, hardworking, motivating teammate. I can't wait for him to get started."

Over the last two summers, Sullivan recorded six top-10 finishes, highlighted by his medalist finish in stroke play qualifiying at the 2017 Michigan Junior State Amateur (66-69/135). He added top-five finishes at the 2017 GAM Junior Invitational (3rd, 72-71/143) and 2017 Golfweek Junior Tour at Keene Run (5th, 75-71/146).

The Wolverines will lose two seniors from this year's roster in All-American Kyle Mueller and Ian Kim.