Alabama Men’s Golf Inks Pair of Standouts to National Letters of Intent

A pair of standout prep golfers have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their career at The University of Alabama, men’s head coach Jay Seawell announced on Wednesday. Prescott Butler and Frankie Capan are both ranked among the top prep players in the nation and will join the Crimson Tide for the 2018-19 season.

“Signing day is always exciting because it’s when young players make their decision to be part of your program,” Seawell said. “The foundation of our program has always been players wanting to be part of Alabama golf and coaches wanting them to be part of Alabama golf.  Once again, I believe we have added two quality young men with the talent to help us win championships.  I look forward to the day when Frankie and Prescott make their mark at the University of Alabama.”

Capan, a native of North Oaks, Minn., is ranked as the No. 41 overall boys amateur golfer and No. 10 in the class of 2018 by Golfweek.com. Capan, who was selected to the U.S. Junior Golf World Cup team this past summer, was named a 2016 American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Rolex Honorable Mention All-American. He won several events, highlighted by capturing the 2017 U.S. Junior World Cup, as well as the 2017 AJGA PING Heather Farr Classic and the 2016 AJGA Puerto Rico Junior Open. Capan, who teamed with Ben Wong to win the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball last year, was named the 2016 Minnesota Golf Association Junior Player of the Year after leading Northwest Christian High School to the 2017 state title. Capan also claimed the individual state title with a 36-hole total of 10-under par 134 (62-72).

“Frankie has been one of the most pleasant recruiting times I have had,” Seawell said. “Getting to know him and his family has been an incredible experience. Frankie has proven he is a great golf talent, but I am equally excited about the leadership he will bring to our program.”

Butler is ranked No. 9 in the nation by the AJGA and was tabbed a 2017 Rolex Junior All-American. A native of Old Westbury, N.Y., Butler currently attends The Pine School in Jupiter, Fla., where he was named a finalist for the Florida Treasure Coast Boys Golfer of the Year in 2016. Butler claimed medalist honors at the 2017 AJGA Dominican Junior Open with a 54-hole total of 208 (68-66-74). He also had top-five finishes at the Southern Junior Championship and the Polo Golf Junior Classic, and was a member of the 2017 Wyndham Cup East Team and 2017 Junior Presidents Cup U.S. Team.

“Prescott’s recruiting process was shorter than usual for us,” Seawell said. “His development over the past year has made him one of the top players in junior golf. We are excited to have a talented golfer like him as a part of our program. Also he is a great student that will part of our Honors College.”