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Men's Golf Juliana Lara, Arizona Communications

Arizona Men's Golf Adds Three on Signing Day

TUCSON, Ariz. – As the 2017 calendar year winds down, the Arizona Men's Golf team is welcoming three new Wildcats as part of the 2017-18 recruiting class. A trio of fresh faces, Santeri Lehesmaa, Joe Parrini and Jake Random will join the program as freshmen next season from Finland, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
 
"This recruiting class is very exciting for our program," commented head coach Jim Anderson. "Our team is in a great position now and we now have key members to continue improving in the future.  I see all of these guys contributing to the positive culture we currently have on our team.  Their golf talents also collectively translate immediately as we will have a need for their contributions."

Lehesmaa will make the international move from Espoo, Finland to Tucson with quite a résumé. He is currently ranked third in the Finish Under-21 rankings, fourth in Finish Amatuer Ranking, and 145th in World Amateur Rankings. Lehesmaa has competed and placed in several high-level Finnish and European amateur events. 

Parrini, a York, Pennsylvania native, had an impressive high school career, as the only three- time PIAA District 3 Champion, the same district where Arizona golf alumni, Jim Furyk played his high school golf. He is ranked as the No. 1 golfer in the state of Pennsylvania and No. 34 golfer in the class of 2018 (Junior Golf Scoreboard).
 
Radom comes from Wildcat tradition as both of his parents are Arizona alumni. His father, Mark Radom, played golf for the Wildcats from 1985 to 1987. Hailing from Royal Oak, Mich., Radom is two-time high school all-state honorable mention, with eight high school tournament victories. 
 
"We are excited to have Santeri, Jake, and Joe be apart of the Wildcat future!" said assistant head coach Chris Nallen. "All three of them are going to have a positive impact on a team that is currently on the rise. They are going to fit right into our culture and bring a very competitive atmosphere to the group. I know all three will do some great things as Arizona Wildcats"
 
Here is a more detailed look at the three signees:
 
Santeri Lehesmaa  
On becoming a Wildcat: "I chose Arizona simply because, all things considered, it's one of the best golf schools in the country… I decided to come play for coach Anderson because it was easy to trust him from the very beginning… Being a wildcat golfer is a huge honor and I'm going to wear the jersey with dignity."
 
Achievements:
  • Doral Publix Junior Classic Champion 2016
  • Estonian Amateur Open Champion 2017
  • 14 Top-15 finishes from International Tournaments
  • Seven Finnish championship medals
  • Four Top-10 finishes on the Finnish Professional Tour 
  • European Boys Team Championship sixth place 2016
  • European Amateur Team Championship first place 2017 (division 2)
 
Anderson on Lehesmaa: "Santeri brings an experience level we haven't seen for several years.  He has played in top-level international events and has a tool set that will benefit him well in the college game.  He has incredible length off the tee and brings an energy and team attitude that we look for in recruiting."
 
 
Joe Parrini
 



On becoming a Wildcat: "I chose The U of A because of the excellent coaching staff and golf tradition, the ideal environment to continue developing my golf game, and the excellent academic atmosphere… Becoming a Wildcat golfer is a great honor and something I'm very excited about! I'm most excited to start working hard with my new teammates, and contributing to winning championships."
 
Achievements
  • 2017 USGA US Open 
  • Local Qualifier Co-Medalist - shot 69; competed in Sectional Qualifier at Woodmont CC
  • 2017 Junior PGA Championship 
  • Local Qualifier Medalist - shot 69
  • Section Qualifier Medalist - shot personal best 65 in final round
  • 42nd Junior Boys Championship - made cut and finished 23rd of 141
  • AJGA Tournaments- Three top-ten finishes
  • Set the Pennsylvania high school scoring record in 2016 and then tied it in 2017 (8-under for two rounds)
  • Youngest ever Men's club champion at Country Club of York (won on 15th birthday)
  • Appeared in Sports Illustrated (November 3, 2014) with sister Lauren as the only Brother and Sister to win the PIAA District 3 Championships on the same day
 
Anderson on Parrini: "Joe is a great student of the game and fierce competitor.  He works on his game year round and has made many sacrifices to get to the levels he has.  We are very high on the potential he brings and his tool set off the tee is impressive."
 
 
Jake Radom
 


On becoming a Wildcat: "Becoming a Wildcat means a lot for many reasons. One being that both of my parents went there and my dad also played golf for the team! I love the fact that I have the opportunity to follow my dad's footsteps and see how far golf can take me… I am most excited about is being surrounded by a group of guys who have the same aspirations and dreams that I do. I can't wait to have a "family" of golfers pushing each other to be the best player they can be while having a great time doing it."
 
 
Achievements
  • Detroit Golf Club's Renee Rose Callaway Junior golf Sportsmanship Award in 2013
  • Two-time Optimist junior golf tournament Winner
  • Three-time MVP for Berkley high school's golf team
  • GAM Sectional Qualifier Medalist
  • Three-time club champion at Detroit Golf Club  
  • AJGA tournaments- two top-ten finishes
  • Medalist for the Michigan Am Qualifier
  • Winner at the FCWT Event at ASU Karsten
 
Anderson on Radom:  "Jake has incredible grit and imagination when he plays.  He has established himself as a top player in a cold weather state and his game will continue developing as he opens up a longer golf season as a member of our team." 
 
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