Rebels ink Pa. prep standout

Adam Candee

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 | 9:54 a.m.

The kid from bucolic eastern Pennsylvania needed just two trips to the desert to find the right college.

Jarred Texter, the sixth-ranked junior player in the country, verbally committed to join the UNLV golf team for the 2004-05 season. A 17-year-old from Millersville, Pa., Texter visited the UNLV campus last weekend and reaffirmed a commitment he first made to the Rebels in May.

"I just think it's a great program all around -- coaches, players, the support they have around them," Texter said.

Texter first encountered UNLV coach Dwaine Knight at the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2000. Besides the temperate climate and team camaraderie, Knight, the longtime Rebels coach, was a big reason why Texter selected UNLV.

"Coach is just an outstanding man," Texter said. "It's going to be a great four years."

Knight cannot comment on specific recruits until they sign letters of intent. The signing period begins in November.

Texter selected UNLV over Georgia Tech and Arizona. After growing up in the harsh Northeast winters, Texter decided early in his recruiting process to limit his choices to schools in the South and Southwest.

Texter dreams of ascending to the PGA Tour and there is some impressive precedent from his area. U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk is a native of Lancaster, Pa., about 10 minutes from Texter's home.

It is another famous player whom Texter credits for much of his interest in golf, which he has played since he was 10.

"I fell in love with the game pretty quick," Texter said. "Tiger had a big impact on me."

Recruits Sam Hunt and Andy Leadbetter join the Rebels this season. Hunt, a New Zealander, won a traveling spot in qualifying this week. Leadbetter is the son of renowned golf instructor David Leadbetter.

Returning four starters from the squad that placed 13th at last year's NCAA championships, UNLV begins the season ranked No. 8 in the nation by Golfweek. The Rebels open Friday at the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate in Albuquerque.