Nov. 16, 2012
Vanderbilt head men’s golf coach Scott Limbaugh has announced the signing of Michael Decker, Zach Herr, and Matthias Schwab to National Letters of Intent, and all three will be eligible to compete for the Commodores in the fall of 2013.
“We are very excited with the high caliber of student-athletes we were able to attract with this signing class,” said Limbaugh. “I believe these young men sensed the momentum our program has gained, the tremendous support we receive from our administration and the fact that our program is on the move. Our signees are really excited about the opportunity to attend such a great academic institution and represent Vanderbilt University on the golf course. We recruited these young men because we feel they can be successful here. I want us to have the type of program that helps them become successful in life because they were part of this program.”
Decker, from Pebble Beach, Calif., has had a stellar high school career at The Stevenson School, finishing in a tie for first at the California State High School Sectional Championship in his junior season and first in his sophomore campaign. In 2012, he finished in a tie for 16th at the 2012 State High School Championship, in 2011, Decker finished in a tie for fifth at the state championship, and in 2010 as a freshman, he finished in a tie for 11th. In the junior circuit, Decker qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2011 and 2012.
“First of all, Michael is a really good student that will have the opportunity to accomplish great things at Vanderbilt,” said Limbaugh. “He’s a very athletic young man who understands the game of golf and has done some really good things as a player.”
Herr, from New Hope, Pa., is ranked 19th in the country according to the Golfweek/Titleist Rankings and 35th per Junior Golf Scoreboard, and seventh in both rankings for the class of 2013. His junior resume is very impressive – he advanced to the 2010 U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying, and in 2011, to the round of 16 in the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur. He has won two AJGA Opens and had two runner-up finishes, and holds 14 AJGA Top 10 finishes. He is a three-time runner-up at the Pennsylvania Golf Association Junior Boys’ Championship, a four-time PIAA Medalist and All-State Selection, and a two-time District 1 Champion (2010 & 2011).
“We feel that Zach Herr is an outstanding player,” said Limbaugh. “He’s also a great young man with great leadership qualities. Zach is a very accomplished player that is very hungry to work hard and be part of this program.”
Schwab comes to Vanderbilt from Rohmoos, Austria, where he has established himself as one of the world’s best amateur players. Schwab is ranked sixth in the world in the latest World Amateur Golf Rankings, and the second-highest ranked European on the list. He finished sixth at the 2012 European Amateur, and made it to the quarterfinals of the 2012 British Boys Amateur. He also made it to the finals of the 2012 British Amateur, and was one putt away from qualifying for the 2013 Masters, while also finishing in a tie for second at the 2012 Austrian Amateur. Schwab competed internationally this fall at the Junior Ryder Cup, where he went 2-0-1 in his matches against the best junior players in the United States. He has also made the cut in two European Tour events, the 2010 and the 2011 Austrian Open, and finished tied for 32nd and 45th, respectively.
“Matt is one of the most focused young men that I have ever been around,” said Limbaugh. “He is a really hard worker and a great competitor. Matt works really hard in the classroom and will certainly be a great representative of this university. He’s currently the sixth ranked amateur in the world and lost on the final hole of the British Amateur or he would be playing in the Masters this year. “
