Nov. 11, 2011

NORMAL, Ill. –The Illinois State men’s golf team added two new members for the 2012-13 season, after Tyler Gentilella and Tyler Pope-Ferguson signed National Letters of Intent this week.

Head men’s golf coach Ray Kralis is excited about the potential his new players will bring to the team.

“Both were recruited to be impact players,” said Kralis. “We currently have five upperclassmen, so in my mind 2012 is a key recruiting class. Both these guys love this opportunity and will certainly embrace the challenge in front of them. They both have a tremendous resume in terms of winning.”

Gentilella, a native of Parkland, Fla., played at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He recently finished in a tie for 10th place at FHSAA’s 2011 2A State Finals, carding a 10-over-par 154 at the tournament. Gentilella’s resume also includes four top-20 finishes on the 2011 American Junior Golf Association Tour, highlighted by a fourth place finish at the AJGA Junior at Savannah Quarters. Gentilella also made the cut in the 2010 Dixie Amateur, a competitive tournament that routinely features a strong field. Golfweek currently ranks Gentilella as the No. 98 signing for the 2012 recruiting class.

“Among the 2012 class, Gentilella is ranked inside the top-100 nationally by Golfweek, and that speaks to the caliber of player we have coming to Illinois State,” said Kralis. “It’s an excellent tournament resume, as he’s used to mixing it up against strong competition. He’s comfortable in any setting, and he’s got a calm confidence. That’s an important skill as we continue to move this program forward, and I’m confident that Tyler will help lead the charge.”

Pope-Ferguson is a 2011 graduate of St. Thomas of Villanova Sectional School, where he was named athlete of the year in 2010. The Amherstburg, Ontario, native recorded first place finishes at the 2011 WECSSAA Conference Championship, the 2010 and 2011 Ontario Junior Championship Regional Golf Qualifier, the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Canadian Optimist Regional Qualifier and the 2011 Roseland Invitational. A finalist in the 2010 Michigan State Junior Championship, he finished in second following a playoff. Pope-Ferguson has also posted the lowest round score in Jameson Golf Tour history, by shooting a 66.

“Pope-Ferguson is a proven winner on the golf course, someone who has been able to post low numbers in tough conditions,” said Kralis. “As someone with a hockey background, he understands toughness and how to be a scorer. You like that kind of makeup in a competitor, so I’m real excited to have Tyler aboard.”

Kralis anticipates that his new signees will be key components of the team immediately.

“We’ve got two guys who can challenge right away,” said Kralis. “We look for contributions right from the beginning from them, and will look for them to have a significant impact on the program throughout their time here.”

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