LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV men's golf program has received signed commitments from Phillip Kench, Hogan Park and Billy Smith, head coach Jean-Paul Hebert announced Thursday. The trio will join the Rebel program in fall 2023.
"We proudly welcome our 2023 signing class," said Hebert. "These guys have a love for the game of golf. They love to work and they all have a chance to really thrive here in Las Vegas."
Kench, from Del Mar, California, is coming to Las Vegas out of Torrey Pines High School in San Diego. As a junior in 2022, he captured the CIF San Diego Section individual title and went on to help guide the Falcons to a second-place finish at the CIF Southern California State Championship. Among his other top finishes, he placed second at the Thunderbird Invitational, ninth at the AJGA West Junior Championship and qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship with a top-5 finish at the qualifying tournament.
"Phillip hails from San Diego - the same hometown as a few Rebel greats. He brings along a wealth of tournament experience and a passion for competitive golf. He will be a great ambassador for the Rebels," said Hebert.
Park signs with the Rebels from Eastvale, California. Most recently, he made it to match play at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in July. Additionally, Park has been crowned champion twice at AJGA-sponsored events, including the 2022 AJGA CORE Pacific Advisors Open in May and the 2020 AJGA Alison Lee Championship. He also won the IMG Academy Junior World Championships Boys 13-14 Tournament in 2019, tying the tournament-best score (-12) among all age groups.
"Hogan possesses the kind of talent and dedication it takes to be great at this level. We're excited about the impact that he will have on this team," Hebert said.
Smith, who is from Whitefish, Montana, will be graduating from Whitefish High School. He comes from a family of student-athletes, as his brother Morgan played basketball at SMU and his brother Sammy played on the men's golf team at University of Texas. During his time at WHS, Smith helped guide the Bulldogs to a team state title as a sophomore in 2020 and a runner-up finish at the state championship as a junior in 2021. In AJGA events this year, he took fifth at the AJGA Preview at Shirkey in April, while tying for 18th at the Mizuno Junior at Big Sky in August and the CORE Pacific Advisors Open.
"Billy is already a proud Rebel. His work ethic, dedication and leadership will all contribute to the success he and the team will have." Hebert said.
