Barlow Announces Three Early National Letter of Intent Signees
11/11/2020 6:52:00 PM | Men's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan men's golf coach Zach Barlow announced Wednesday (Nov. 11), the signings of Hunter Thomson (Calgary, Alberta), Bavake Sihota (Caledon, Ontario) and Yuqi Liu (Beijing, China) -- to National Letters of Intent for the 2021-22 season.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Thomson -- who is ranked as the No. 1 junior in Canada and No. 9 overall for the Class of 2021 on the Junior Golf Scoreboard -- has shined throughout his junior amateur career in Canada, while attending West Island College. Finishing among the top three in four of his five 2020 events, he posted individual wins at the Alberta Junior Boys Championship (66-66-69/201) and at the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) Ford Series PGA of Alberta Junior Championship (74-67-65/206). He was the runner-up at the Alberta Amateur Championship (71-69-69/209) and advanced to the semifinal of the Alberta Match Play Championship. Thompson also had a third-place finish at the MJT Junior Series at Paradise Canyon (76 70/146).
In 2019, he had five top-10 finishes in seven events, highlighted with a runner-up trophy at the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Junior at Knollwood (73-68-70/211), a third-place showing at The First Tee of Greater Baltimore Junior Championship (72-72-72/216) and an eighth-place finish at the AJGA Lake Las Vegas Junior (72-76-66/214).
A native of Caledon, Ontario, Sihota has balanced his junior amateur play while prepping at the Independent Learning Center (ILC). Primarily playing his junior golf in Canada and on the Canadian Junior Golf Association circuit, he highlighted his 2020 finishing 15th at the Florida Azalea Amateur (71-72-71/214). He posted 10 top-15 finishes during 2019, showcased by a 10-shot win at the Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) Mizuno National Championship (67-74-73-72/286).
Additionally, he posted a fourth-place finish at the Ontario Junior Boys Championship (75-74-68-69/286), a sixth-place showing at the Optimist International Junior Worlds at Blue Monster (68-73-72-79/292) and a ninth-place finish at the Bubba Conlee National Junior (71-68-71/210). He highlighted his 2018 season winning the CJGA Eastern Canadian Junior Championship (74-66-70/210)
Originally from Beijing, China, Liu has grown up in Canada and attends Westmount Collegiate College (Thornhill, Ontario). In his 2020 season, Liu had three third-place finishes -- at the New Year's Invitational (75-66-72/213) in Florida, the Golf Ontario Junior Boys Championship (68-71-69-81/289) and at the Toronto Players Professional Tour (71-69/140) stop on Aug. 24-25. He added an 11th-place finish in the Aug. 28th TPT Tour stop (71) and a 12th-place showing at the TPT July 15-16 stop (71-69/140).
In 2019, he posted a third-place finish at the Future Links Ontario Championship (72-73-76/221), a sixth-place showing at the Junior Golf Hub Championship (73-74-72/219) and closed 11th at the AJGA's Randy Wise Junior Open (70-76-71/217). He had four top-eight finishes in seven events during his 2018 season, including winning the Future Links Fall Series (68-72-68/208).
The Wolverines will see three golfers depart after this season -- fifth-year senior Brent Ito, who returned for an extra year after COVID-19 canceled the 2019-20 season, and seniors Charlie Pilon and Henry Spring.
Barlow on Class of 2021 Signees
On overall class
"We could not be more excited about the Class of 2021. Coach (Matt) Hoffman and I wanted to bring in high-character and competitive players for this class, who value education as well as athletics. We feel strongly we have been able to do that. Hunter (Thomson), Bavake (Sihota) and Yuqi (Liu) have talent, great work ethic and a drive which will fit perfectly within our team culture, the U-M campus and even beyond. These three will only help us in our goals to win tournaments, championships and strive to be one of the top collegiate golf programs."
On Hunter Thomson
"Hunter has established himself as one of the top players in junior golf, and his record speaks for itself. What's even more exciting is his drive to compete and win at the collegiate level. His competitiveness in everything he does -- on and off the golf course -- is so contagious. We are looking forward to getting him on campus next fall and really making an impact."
On Bavake Sihota
"Bavake brings a wealth of experience on both the junior and amateur golf scene. He is such and down-to-earth person that he really will be a quality fit for us. His work ethic and refuse-to-lose attitude was something that stood out to us in our evaluation process. This bodes well for his future."
On Yuqi Liu
"Yuqi has put together a very impressive golf resume -- here and internationally. He, too, has enjoyed much success at both the junior and amateur circuits and that experience allows him to really help our depth and competitiveness. To say Yuqi is very talented would be an understatement. His ceiling is so high, and we truly believe the sky is the limit."
Class of 2021 Signee Quotes
Hunter Thomson
"I'm beyond excited to be a part of this team at the University of Michigan. I'd like to thank Coach (Zach) Barlow and (Matt) Hoffman for giving me this amazing opportunity to help me advance in my journey. I believe that I have unlimited potential both academically and athletically. Michigan provides me with the best resources in the country to unlock my true self. Additionally, the Big Ten will provide me with exceptional competition to help grow further."
Bavake Sihota
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to play for such a prestigious school like the University of Michigan. I'm looking forward to beginning the next phase of my life as a Wolverine. Coach (Zach) Barlow and Coach (Matt) Hoffman have played at the highest stage, and I'm excited to learn from such experienced players and win some championships with them!"
Yuqi Liu
"I'm so excited to join the University of Michigan. It's the perfect place for me to thrive academically and on the golf course. I cannot wait to work with coach (Zach) Barlow and the rest of the team. We are going to put in the work hard and bring some trophies back to campus."
