Kansas State University Athletics
Wildcats Ink Three Newcomers
Nov 17, 2004 | Men's Golf
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Three top recruits have signed their National Letter of Intent to join the Kansas State men’s golf team for the 2005-06 season as announced by head coach Tim Norris, Wednesday. “All three players bring a strong work ethic and passion for the game and that’s what we are looking for,” Norris stated. “They all have strong fundamentals to build on so I feel their best golf is still in front of them.”
Joe Kinney, a senior from Antioch Community High School and Lake Villa, Ill., has signed on with the Wildcats. Kinney was selected as an All-American on the 2004 Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) in 2004. Last year, Kinney was tabbed as an all-state performer, as he finished fourth at the Illinois Class AA State Championships. Kinney is a four-time all-conference selection and a three-time team captain and MVP. Kinney qualified and competed in the exclusive 2004 Western Amateur. He also finished ninth at the AJGA Windy City Junior held June 14-17, 2004.
“Joe is a really fiery competitor,” Norris said. “He played some really good golf this summer and he has really strong fundamentals. When he gets in here, and uses the facilities, he’s going to do quite well.”
Jay Kramer, a junior college transfer from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan. also signed with the Wildcats. Originally from Lenexa, Kan., and Shawnee Mission West High School, Kramer tied for 22nd at the 2004 Junior College Nationals as a freshman. This past fall Kramer earned victories at the Angel Fire Invitational and the Dodge City Designated. In high school, Kramer was a four-year letterman and was named to the First Team All-Sun Country by the Johnson County Sun.
“Jay is a player that continues to keep improving,” Norris remarked. “He has really good fundamentals. I think he could win a look-a-like contest with Mike Weir, as they are both left-handed. Jay is really a player who is beginning to come into his own and I see him getting better and better each and every day.”
Robert Streb, a senior from Edmond North High School in Edmond, Okla., also inked with K-State. Streb was an AJGA honorable mention All-American in 2004 and is currently ranked No. 1 in Oklahoma and No. 33 nationally by Golfweek/Sagarin. He won the 2004 AJGA Championship at Oak Tree Country Club by five strokes after carding a 70-72-71213. Streb qualified and tied for 23rd out of 156 players (76-73149) at the U.S. Junior held at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. He also tied for 33rd out of 175 golfers at the 2004 FCWT National Championship. He also placed 25th out of 82 at the 2004 AJGA HP Boys Invitational. As a junior, Streb had two victories, five top-five finishes and nine top 10s in 11 high school tournaments.
“Robert had a very strong summer,” Norris said. “I think the best thing about Robert’s game is that it is very simple and I think that’s going to serve him quite well. It not only has served him well at the junior level, but it will continue to serve him well at the collegiate level.”
“With the facilities at Colbert Hills and the competitive environment on our team, they all felt like Kansas State would be a place to play at the highest level of collegiate golf as well as prepare them for golf at the professional level upon graduation,” Norris said.
Kansas State Men’s Golf Signees
Joe Kinney, 5-9, Lake Villa, Ill. (Antioch Community HS)
Jay Kramer, 5-10, Lenexa, Kan. (Johnson County CC/Shawnee Mission West HS)
Robert Streb, 5-10, Edmond, Okla. (Edmond North HS)