April 30, 2002

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Kansas State men's golf team has signed Ben Kern to a national letter of inent for the 2002-03 season, head coach Tim Norris announced Tuesday. Kern will enter K-State as freshman next year, after graduating from Palo Verde High School in Tucson, Ariz. in June.

Kern is the 2001 Arizona State 4A High School Champion, and has participated in the state tournament all four years of his high school career. He claimed the Tucson City Junior Championship in 2001. Kern's father, Jeff, is a professional golfer and swing instructor, and won the Tucson city men's amateur nine times in the late 70's and early 80's.

"Ben is a seasoned player who has the capability to make an impact as a freshman." Norris said. "He has great fundamentals and the ability to shoot low scores. Ben has improved each year as a player and I see that continuing as he gets the chance to play and practice at Colbert Hills every day."