O’Neal senior Fulton Smith officially confirmed his commitment to the Wake Forest University Men’s Golf Program for the fall of 2019 with a signing ceremony surrounded by family, coaches and classmates on Wednesday.

Class of 2019 rankings have Smith at #2 for the state and #68 in the country. Fulton started playing golf at an early age and was able to play varsity golf at O’Neal starting in the seventh grade. He has earned all-state honors for three consecutive years. Last year, O’Neal won the NCISAA Championship.  Smith has won numerous high level tournaments, most recently winning Carolina Golf Association’s prestigious Dogwood State Junior Boys’ Championship for two consecutive years.

“We are very excited for Fulton!” exclaims O’Neal Varsity Golf Coach Matt Vick. “He is obviously a great player and more importantly he fills an invaluable leadership role on our team that has contributed to our overall success. We look forward to him developing at Wake and throughout the rest of his career.”

O’Neal Director of Athletics James Franklin recognizes that his achievements are a result of endless hours of commitment. “Fulton epitomizes how all successful student-athletes should approach being top athletes. He is dedicated to the process of developing all the tools necessary to be at the top of his sport. He is dedicated physically, technically and cerebrally and is one of the strongest youth athletes psychologically I have ever known. These tools are very recognizable in his success and will only manifest themselves further as a student-athlete golfer at Wake Forest.”

After considering UNC-Chapel Hill, University of Virginia and Stanford University, Fulton decided on Wake Forest. “I really like the Wake Forest coach Jerry Hoss. He is a large part of my decision,” states Fulton. Though the PGA tour is the ultimate goal, Fulton plans to major in business.

Fulton is the son of Xan and Gena Smith, lives in Pinehurst. Wake Forest golf has a long tradition of success, winning National Championships in 1974, 1975 and 1986. Wake has also won a staggering 18 Atlantic Coast Conference titles. Smith would like to add to those ACC titles stating, “I’d like to be a part of and contribute to an NCAA Championship winning team at Wake Forest.”

The O’Neal School is an independent, college preparatory school for pre-kindergarten age 3 through grade 12.

Feature photo: Fulton Smith signs to Wake Forest University Men’s Golf Program before his coaches, family and classmates. Top Row (L-R): Coaches Brian Anderson, Matt Vick, Chris Poulin and Jeff Haarlow. Seat (L-R) Augusta Smith, Xan Smith, Fulton Smith, Gena Smith.

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