Bulldog Golf Story #9 in 2010: The Signing of Nick Reach, Sam and Sepp Straka

The #9 event in Bulldog Golf for 2010 was the signing of the freshman class who will step foot on campus in Athens this fall.  The class consists of Nick Reach from Moscow, PA and twin brothers, Sam and Sepp Straka from Valdosta, GA.
Reach attends Montverde Academy in Howey-in-the-Hills, FL after transferring from Scranton Prep so he could  focus on his golf while attending the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy.  

Nick Reach of Moscow, PA

During his junior career, Reach recorded nine top-20 finishes in American Junior Golf Association events, including four top-6 efforts. Reach was a semi finalist at the 2009 U.S. Junior Championship.  He also earned Rolex Junior All-America honors and was a member of the 2010 Canon Cup Team, joining former Bulldogs Ryuji Imada, Erik Compton, Bubba Watson, Ryan Hybl, Christo Greyling, Michael Green, Brendon Todd, Brian Harman, and Chris Kirk as past participants of a Cannon Cup Team.  In 2008, Reach became the fourth-youngest participant (16 years, three months, nine days) in a Nationwide Tour event. He has competed in the Northeast Pennsylvania Classic in Scranton twice.
"Nick is a talented young man, and we are excited about having him join the program," Haack said. "He's a great prospect with solid golf skills. We feel like he will be able to come in and compete right away for playing time. He will be a great addition to our program both academically and athletically."


The Straka brothers, Sam and Sepp, have never been far apart and that will continue to be true during their college years as Bulldogs.  The Lowndes High standouts have signed National Letters of Intent and will attend UGA together.  The two brothers are among the top junior golfers in the country and have played tournaments all over the U.S. as well as Austria. Both brothers are members of the Austrian national golf team.  Their father is from Austria and their mother is from Moultrie. They lived in Austria until they were 14, when they moved to Valdosta.

Sepp and Sam signing their NLI's at Lowndes High

Sam won the United States Junior Amateur Qualifier in Kennesaw by four shots this past summer, and tied for 17th at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has earned five victories on the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, including the 2008 Tournament of Champions.

Sam Straka

Sepp has won the Austrian Junior Championship each of the past two years. He also has one victory on the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour, and has 10 top-5 finishes in addition to a runner-up finish at the prestigious Donald Ross Junior.

Sepp Straka

“We are excited about having Sam and Sepp join our program,” said Haack.  “They are excellent young prospects. They have a lot of potential, and I think they will have the opportunity to come in and play right away.”