MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin men's golf head coach
Michael Wilson announced on Wednesday that four new golfers — Charles Erlandson, William Harned, Drew Sacia and Jason Shwartz — have signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Wisconsin. The talented student-athletes will join the Badgers roster beginning with the 2024-25 season.
"We are extremely excited about this class. We are bringing in four quality golfers, but also four high character individuals as well," said Wilson. "This was the first class that we have truly been able to evaluate at the level that we want to as a program.
"These guys will replace a senior class that has had a lot of success on an individual and team level. We believe that they will be able to continue the success that we have had on the course and in the classroom. Since day one it has been important to me to evaluate our in-state talent and land the top players when applicable. I am really excited that we have been able to sign two players from our state. This class will have guys that will come in hungry and ready to play right of way. I think a lot can be said about our program that on a national level we were able to go into the Southeast and get two of the top players in the country. The future is bright for Wisconsin Badgers men's golf."
Charlie Erlandson
Madison, Wis.
Madison Memorial High School
Coach: Matt Hartman
Wilson on Charlie Erlandson: "Charlie is the first Wisconsin junior golfer that I watched play when I took the position at UW. He was leading the American Junior Golf Association event at Merrill Hills in July of 2021 after the first round. Although he did not win that event, he was on our radar. Charlie grew up wanting to be a Badger and although he was limited in his golf career, because of football duties I believe he will be a huge impact for us on the golf course. His athletic ability and leadership will be new for our program and I look forward to seeing him progress now that he will be able to play golf year-round. This will be the first time in my career that a freshman will be the longest hitter on our team, so that's exciting to think about."
- 2023 Wisconsin First Team All-State
- Big 8 Conference Player of the Year (2X – 2022 & 2023)
- 2023 Mike Schnarr Boys Championship
- Qualified for 2023 U.S. Junior Am
- 2023 Wisconsin State Golf Association (WSGA) State Junior (T-2nd)
- 2022 Wisconsin Third Team All-State
- Wisconsin Academic All-State (2X – 2022 & 2023)
- 2022 Big 8 Conference Football Quarterback of the Year
- 2022 Madison City Back of the Year (Football)
- Captain, Football Team at Madison Memorial
- Holds Memorial school record for passing touchdowns in a season (28) and total touchdowns (33)
- Played basketball as a freshman
William Harned
Nashotah, Wis.
Brunswick School (Greenwich, Conn.)
Coach: Chris Forester
Wilson on William Harned: "We have logged quite a few hours watching William play junior golf dating back to 2021 and each time I walk away more impressed. To sign a Wisconsin Junior Player of the Year is a big deal for our program. As I have said in the past, we want to keep the homegrown talent in our state at home. William won the State Junior 2 years ago and has shifted his emphasis to more of an amateur schedule. I feel he is one of the best Junior golfers to come out of this state in quite some time and am more than thrilled that he chose Wisconsin. As a staff we have high expectations for William to come in and compete right away with the best players in the country."
- 2023 Team Champions Western New Englands
- 2023 Wisconsin State Junior (T-4th)
- 2023 U.S. Junior Amateur
- 2023 Wisconsin State Amateur (20th)
- 2022 Wisconsin State Junior Champion
- 2022 WPGA Junior Player of the Year
- 2022 Individual Champion Western New Englands
- 2022 Wisconsin State Amateur (T-15th)
- Mike Schnarr Boys Championship (4th)
- Wisconsin Cup Team (2X – 2022 & 2023)
- High Honors Student (10th grade)
- Honors Student (Grade 9 & 11)
Drew Sacia
Milton, Ga.
Milton High School
Coaches: Tom Dell and Shawn Koch
Wilson on Drew Sacia: "Drew comes from a very athletic background. Although Drew as only been playing competitive golf for four years, we feel like his improvement in the last two years has been remarkable. He is very strong and has amazing touch around the greens.
"I look forward to watching Drew compete for a starting spot early in his career. Drew has a great deal of upside and it will be exciting to watch him develop."
- 2023 Georgia State Champion
- 2023 Georgia First Team All-State (7A – largest class size in state)
- 2023 Georgia State Individual (6th), low final round score
- 2023 PGA National High School Invitational (2nd)
- 2023 Wolverine Invitational (6th)
- 2023 Atlanta Athletic Club invitational (2nd)
- 2022 Future Masters (18th)
- 2022 Micheal Breed Invitational (3rd)
- 2021 SJGT Tournament of Champions and Place
- 2021 SJGT Atlanta National Classic overall champion
- 2021 Coal Mountain Classic (Georgia) (1st, first-ever H.S. tournament)
- Four-year letterwinner in boy's golf
- National Honors Society (2021-2023)
- 2023 Milton H.S. Academic Athlete Award
- Cousin Ryan Connelly is an alumnus of Wisconsin football (2015-18) and now plays for New Orleans Saints in NFL
- Cousin Anders Lee is an alumnus of Notre Dame men's hockey (2010-13) and now plays for New York Islanders in NHL
Jason Shwartz
Wellington, Fla.
American Heritage High School
Coaches: Jason Baile and Libby Smith
Wilson on Jason Shwartz: "Jason is probably the highest ranked player to sign with Wisconsin. To land a player of his caliber is a huge sign for our program. Jason has received a lot of awards and accolades, but what's exciting about him as a player is he is just getting started. To be great you can never be satisfied and from all the conversations I have had with Jason — even after shooting a 67 — he's not satisfied.
"Not only is Jason ranked in the Top 40 (32nd by Junior Golf Scoreboard) in the country, he's also a brilliant student. He was recently named to the AJGA Rolex Scholastic Junior All-American team. I think it's important to have someone as competitive as Jason joining our program. His drive will help push his teammates and I look forward to watching him compete in the Big 10 over the next four years."
- AJGA Uniqlo/Adam Scott Junior Championship Champion
- AJGA Arnold Palmer Invitational Junior (T-3rd)
- 2022 Florida State High School Championship (5th)
- 2022 Sun Sentinal Palm Beach High School First-Team
- 2022 Florida Amateur
- 2021 Florida State High School Championship (4th)
- 2021 USGA Junior Amateur
- 2021 Sun Sentinal Palm Beach Player High School Player of The Year
- 2021 Palm Beach Post High School First-Team
- 51st Southern Junior Championship (T-6th)
- Played in the Western Junior Championship, Mayakoba Invitational, Jack Burke Jr. Invitational, The Junior PLAYERS Championship Presented by Rolex
- AJGA Tournament of Champions
- Played lacrosse (6th-9th grade)
- National Honor Society (11th and 12th grade)
- Headmaster's List (10th and 11th grade)
- Ranked 32nd by Junior Golf Scoreboard
