BY JOHN D. HOMAN
Logan Media Services

CARTERVILLE – The John A. Logan College men’s golf team recently landed an elite prospect with the announced signing of John Wirth III of Waterloo.

Wirth is a three-year state qualifier in Class 2A, and this past fall, captured the sectional championship in Carbondale with a 68. He also placed second in the prestigious 22-team Quincy Invitational with an even-par 71. He averaged a mid-70s score for 18 holes over both his junior and senior seasons.

“John is such a strong player. We didn’t think he would be available to us, but we’re glad to have him,” said Volunteers head coach Tom Ferris, whose men’s program has won the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national championship two of the last four years.

“I think it helped that Steve Souchek (sophomore on the Logan team) is from that area, having played for Waterloo Gibault. Anytime you have someone who has played here with us have only good things to say about our program it has to help with our recruitment of a player like John.”

Ferris said he expects Wirth to push returning lettermen for a starting position next year.

“I think he is more than capable of that. We’re very elated to be getting a player of John’s caliber. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s from the region.”

Wirth said he is pleased with his choice to come to Logan.

“It’s real exciting to be coming here,” he said. “I’ve had the chance to speak to some people like Steve who have played here and have some really good things to say about the program. He told me how nice the Kokopelli course is in Marion. I can’t wait to play.”

Wirth described himself as a consistent scorer.

“I’m a hard worker who is always trying to play to the best of my abilities,” he said. “I feel I excel at my short game because I work on it so much. What I could stand to improve upon is keeping the ball in the fairway more consistently with my tee shots. And that’s what I’ll be focusing on this spring and summer.”