ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s golf team has added four freshman to the 2018-19 squad including Sam Choi, Roy Choi, Ignacio Arcaya and Jack Anderson, who have all signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.
Both Sam and Roy Choi will graduate from Discovery Christian Academy in Anaheim, Calif. There is no relation between the two. Sam Choi is the third-ranked 2018 graduate in California and is ranked 15th in the nation. He is a two-time runner-up at the IMG Callaway Junior World Golf Championship and is also the youngest champion of the Southern California Amateur Stroke Play in the event’s 118 year history, winning the 2017 edition with a 17-under 271 total in four rounds. Sam Choi was selected as an All-American by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and won the 2015 Junior Americas Cup with a 12-under 204 in three rounds.
“I chose UNM because I believe UNM can mold me into a great golfer,” Sam Choi said. “I am comfortable with the coaches and the practice facilities are above my expectations.”
Roy Choi is also a top-100 graduate nationally, ranking 89th while ranking 10th in the state of California. Roy finished as the runner-up in Southern California PGA Toyota Tour Cup Player of the Year points with three top-10 finishes on the tour in 2017. He also placed 30th in the 2017 IMG Callaway Junior World Championship and finished eighth at the AJGA ClubCorp Mission Hills event.
“UNM is a perfect place to achieve my goals,” Roy Choi said. “I want to be the best golfer and I believe UNM has the perfect combination of coaches and golf courses to help me achieve my goals.”
Arcaya (pictured to the right above) will graduate from Bishop Moore Academy in Orlando, Fla. as the 24th-ranked graduate in the state and 320th nationally. He cited close friend and current Lobo Gustavo Morantes as an influencing factor in choosing UNM. The Venezuelan placed fourth in the 2017 Copa Enrique Santos Cordova in Ecuador and finished 31st at the 2017 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. Arcaya also had two top-20 finishes in AJGA events and two wins in Florida at Ameila National and the HJGT Tournament of Champions in 2017.
“I feel very proud of being on such a prestigious team. It was the first college I visited and I knew right away it was the right place for me,” Arcaya said. “I feel with Coach Millican and Coach Massoletti, I can take my game to the next level while obtaining my college degree.”
Finally, Anderson (pictured to the left above) will graduate from Round Rock High School in Round Rock, Texas ranked 65th in the state and 617th nationally. He won the TX Legends Tour Flodder Financial Shootout and finished 26th at the Texas State Junior Championship in 2016. Anderson also finished fourth at the TX Legends Tour Lanny Wadkins Championship and is a three-time All-District selection for his high school with a senior season stroke average of 69.75.
“I chose UNM because of the high level of competition, great facilities and team atmosphere,” Anderson said.
The Lobos will be back in action at the Arizona Intercollegiate on Monday, January 29, 2018 through Tuesday, January 30. Be sure to follow UNM Men’s Golf on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date throughout the season.