May 22, 2008
RUSTON - Louisiana Tech head golf coach Jean Hall announced Wednesday that he has signed Jonathan Bale to a national letter of intent to play for the Bulldogs.
Bale will come to Tech from Porthcawl, Wales where he ranks as one of the top amateur golfers in the entire country.
"Jonathan brings a wealth of international experience to our team," Hall said. "He plays at one of the top golf courses in Wales in Royal Porthcawl, and has competed at a very high level in his country. He has shown a lot of maturity and mental toughness, and I believe he will be able to contribute to our team next year."
The 6-foot-1-inch Bale attended Bridgend College, which is the United Kingdom's version of high school, and was named the 2007 Student of the Year.
During his amateur playing days in Wales, Bale has made a name for himself capturing numerous individual titles including the 2007 Glamorgan Baffie, the 2006 and 2007 City and County of Swansea Championships (becoming first player to ever repeat as champion), and the 2006 Golf Illustrated Cup.
He is currently ranked as the eighth best amateur Golf Union of Wales Order of Merit.
Bale, who came on his official visit to Tech in February and who plans to major in business management, said he chose Louisiana Tech for a number of reasons.
"Squire Creek is a great facility," Bale said. "It's first class. I also know that (Louisiana Tech) is a respected academic institution.
"Coach Hall is a very nice man, and has really looked after me during the recruiting process living so far away. I'm also looking forward to working with Jeff Parks."
Bale joins Parkway High School's Cody Santone as the Bulldogs incoming freshmen next year.
Jonathan Bale 6-1, 155 Porthcawl, Wales, United Kingdom
College (High School): Attended Bridgend College ... Won Student of the Year in 2007 ... Individual Golf Accomplishments (2008): Qualified for the finals of the Nick Faldo Series this August ... Member of the Glamorgan Elite Team ... Ranked as the 8th best amateur in the Golf Union of Wales Order of Merit ... Had two top 10 finishes in R&A World Golf Amateur ranking events ... (2007): Won the Glamorganshire Baffie ... Won the City and County of Swansea Championships, becoming the first player to ever repeat as champion ... Finished seventh at the West of England Open Strokeplay Championship ... Finished third at the Welsh Amateur Championship ... Finished third at the Welsh Golf Union of Order Merit competition ... (2006): Won the City and County of Swansea Championship ... Won the Golf Illustrated Cup ... Finished fifth at the West of England Open Strokeplay Championship ... (2005): Won the Glamorgan Junior County Strokeplay Championship ... Finished second in the Glamorgan Youths (under 21s) County Championships ... Personal: Son of Martyn and Christine Bale ... Has one brother, James ... Born Dec. 13, 1987 in Newport, Wales.
