Eastern Michigan Athletics
Signing Day: Men’s Golf Signs Five to Program
11/25/2024 2:28:00 PM | Men's Golf
Walker’s first class features highly ranked amateurs and junior college standouts
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Andy Walker, head coach of the Eastern Michigan University men's golf program, announced today, Nov. 25, that three freshmen and two junior transfers have signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to continue their respective academic and athletic career with the Eagles starting with the 2025-26 season. The group brings a wealth of victories and experience at the junior and collegiate levels with both transfers currently among the top two in their respective national rankings.
"This is the most powerful class I've ever recruited at one time," Walke said "All of the players have a couple of things in common: they win golf tournaments and their game travels. This combination of incoming freshman and transfer juniors ensures that this team will be very competitive from Day 1. Our whole staff worked diligently to make sure we had a successful recruiting season. We got the guys we wanted, and I can't wait to see them all in the Green and White!"
The newest Eagles hail from all around the globe with five different nations represented. The class is comprised of two junior transfers in Charlie Box (Leicester, England/Wreake Valley Academy/Hutchinson CC) and Jorge Parada (Hermosillo, Mexico/IMG Academy/South Mountain CC) and freshmen Hugo Duquaine (Chaumont Gistoux, Belgium/CAP International), Joshua Hess (Schattdorf, Switzerland/Montverde Academy), and Robby Turnbull (Auckland, New Zealand/Sewlyn College).
Both junior transfers are already off to strong starts this season and have been dominant in their fall schedules with their respective colleges. Parada, who plays at South Mountain CC in Phoenix, the same school Walker coached from 2013-18, has won three of the four events he has played and has climbed to No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I national rankings. Parada attended IMG Academy in Florida during his prep career and finished among the top 10 in program history with a 70.8 scoring average. A member of the Mexican Junior Olympic Team, he has captured four titles on his home soil, including one national and three regional crowns.
"Jorge is a special player that has already won multiple times this year and, with clubhead speeds cruising between 127-130mph, he possesses a speed that is unteachable," Walker said. "Jorge has an uncanny ability to make a lot of birdies, which was shown by the 62 he shot this year in an event. I can't wait to see what Jorge is going to do at the DI level and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets in contention early in his Eagle career."
Box, who also has won three times this season while playing at Hutchinson CC, stands No. 2 in the latest NJCAA Division II rankings after winning the NJCAA National Preview title. He is currently ranked No. 403 in the latest WAGR.
"Charlie was one of the most recruited transfers in the country and we are very excited that he chose Eastern Michigan," Walker stated. "He became one of the best junior college players in the country last year and not only solidified his stature but took it to another level this year winning twice and compiling a remarkable record of 181-6-5 against the rest of the country. He has also shown that he can compete at the NCAA DI level multiple times and I expect Charlie to lead us to national prominence."
The highest rated player in the class at No. 325 in the WAGR, Turnbull has captured eight tournament titles over the past two seasons with five coming in 2024. The medalist at the Canterbury Stroke Play, New Zealand Stroke Play, South Island U19, NextGen Amateur Tour Royal Wellington, and the Victoria Junior Amateur events, he is one of two incoming Eagles that played in the R&A Boys Amateur Championship in England and finished tied for 33rd, joining Duquaine in that position.
"Robby has had a great past couple of years on a global stage and we are over the top excited that he will be with us in Ypsilanti next fall," Walker said. "I've watched Robby play for a few years now and Coach Ryan Yip worked hard on making sure that Robby was going to land at Eastern. He will bring enthusiasm to this team and an ability to lead by example. His five wins, including a professional victory, in 2024 shows his fierce competitiveness and his toughness will be a catalyst to our season. I look forward to coaching Robby at Eastern."
Along with his strong showing at the R&A Boys Amateur Championship, Duquaine, who is No. 1,035 in the WAGR, has finished in the top 10 seven times already in 2024. The winner of Belgium's National Foursome Tournament and a three-time Belgium Golf League champion, he also won the Grand Prix Wallaert Devilder in France. Additionally, Duquaine has been close to winning more events as he was the runner-up twice and finished third in two other events.
"I have had the pleasure of watching Hugo rise into a great player on the international scene this past year," Walker stated. "Hugo has won multiple times this year and is climbing the WAGR rankings quickly. There's a lot of impressive aspects to Hugo's game, but his ability to make putts is what I'm most excited to see in competition. I'm very excited Hugo is coming to Eastern Michigan; he's been on my radar for a long time."
Hess, a member of the Swiss National Boys Team that finished fifth at the 2024 European Boys Team Championship, currently attends Montverde Academy in Florida where he has played well. Most recently, he captured the title at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship after earning medalist honors at the IJGT WAGR #1 Championship. A winner of six events in the past two years, Hess started his winning ways with titles at the U16 Swiss National Championship and the RB German Junior Championship in 2023.
"Joshua is a very mature incoming freshman and one of the most process-minded players I've ever recruited," Walker said. "We clicked immediately on speaking about the mental and emotional connection to each golf shot. When you watch Joshua hit a golf shot, it just sounds different. He has a great trio of speed, control, and touch and he showed that two weeks ago winning a large national event, by a big margin, that will be televised on Golf Channel in a couple of weeks. Joshua rounds out a great recruiting class that has a lot of game and are young men of high character."
The current Eagles will return to action in 2025 when they open their spring slate at the Gator Invitational, Feb. 15-16. The two-day event will be hosted by the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla.
"This is the most powerful class I've ever recruited at one time," Walke said "All of the players have a couple of things in common: they win golf tournaments and their game travels. This combination of incoming freshman and transfer juniors ensures that this team will be very competitive from Day 1. Our whole staff worked diligently to make sure we had a successful recruiting season. We got the guys we wanted, and I can't wait to see them all in the Green and White!"
The newest Eagles hail from all around the globe with five different nations represented. The class is comprised of two junior transfers in Charlie Box (Leicester, England/Wreake Valley Academy/Hutchinson CC) and Jorge Parada (Hermosillo, Mexico/IMG Academy/South Mountain CC) and freshmen Hugo Duquaine (Chaumont Gistoux, Belgium/CAP International), Joshua Hess (Schattdorf, Switzerland/Montverde Academy), and Robby Turnbull (Auckland, New Zealand/Sewlyn College).
Both junior transfers are already off to strong starts this season and have been dominant in their fall schedules with their respective colleges. Parada, who plays at South Mountain CC in Phoenix, the same school Walker coached from 2013-18, has won three of the four events he has played and has climbed to No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I national rankings. Parada attended IMG Academy in Florida during his prep career and finished among the top 10 in program history with a 70.8 scoring average. A member of the Mexican Junior Olympic Team, he has captured four titles on his home soil, including one national and three regional crowns.
"Jorge is a special player that has already won multiple times this year and, with clubhead speeds cruising between 127-130mph, he possesses a speed that is unteachable," Walker said. "Jorge has an uncanny ability to make a lot of birdies, which was shown by the 62 he shot this year in an event. I can't wait to see what Jorge is going to do at the DI level and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets in contention early in his Eagle career."
Box, who also has won three times this season while playing at Hutchinson CC, stands No. 2 in the latest NJCAA Division II rankings after winning the NJCAA National Preview title. He is currently ranked No. 403 in the latest WAGR.
"Charlie was one of the most recruited transfers in the country and we are very excited that he chose Eastern Michigan," Walker stated. "He became one of the best junior college players in the country last year and not only solidified his stature but took it to another level this year winning twice and compiling a remarkable record of 181-6-5 against the rest of the country. He has also shown that he can compete at the NCAA DI level multiple times and I expect Charlie to lead us to national prominence."
The highest rated player in the class at No. 325 in the WAGR, Turnbull has captured eight tournament titles over the past two seasons with five coming in 2024. The medalist at the Canterbury Stroke Play, New Zealand Stroke Play, South Island U19, NextGen Amateur Tour Royal Wellington, and the Victoria Junior Amateur events, he is one of two incoming Eagles that played in the R&A Boys Amateur Championship in England and finished tied for 33rd, joining Duquaine in that position.
"Robby has had a great past couple of years on a global stage and we are over the top excited that he will be with us in Ypsilanti next fall," Walker said. "I've watched Robby play for a few years now and Coach Ryan Yip worked hard on making sure that Robby was going to land at Eastern. He will bring enthusiasm to this team and an ability to lead by example. His five wins, including a professional victory, in 2024 shows his fierce competitiveness and his toughness will be a catalyst to our season. I look forward to coaching Robby at Eastern."
Along with his strong showing at the R&A Boys Amateur Championship, Duquaine, who is No. 1,035 in the WAGR, has finished in the top 10 seven times already in 2024. The winner of Belgium's National Foursome Tournament and a three-time Belgium Golf League champion, he also won the Grand Prix Wallaert Devilder in France. Additionally, Duquaine has been close to winning more events as he was the runner-up twice and finished third in two other events.
"I have had the pleasure of watching Hugo rise into a great player on the international scene this past year," Walker stated. "Hugo has won multiple times this year and is climbing the WAGR rankings quickly. There's a lot of impressive aspects to Hugo's game, but his ability to make putts is what I'm most excited to see in competition. I'm very excited Hugo is coming to Eastern Michigan; he's been on my radar for a long time."
Hess, a member of the Swiss National Boys Team that finished fifth at the 2024 European Boys Team Championship, currently attends Montverde Academy in Florida where he has played well. Most recently, he captured the title at the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship after earning medalist honors at the IJGT WAGR #1 Championship. A winner of six events in the past two years, Hess started his winning ways with titles at the U16 Swiss National Championship and the RB German Junior Championship in 2023.
"Joshua is a very mature incoming freshman and one of the most process-minded players I've ever recruited," Walker said. "We clicked immediately on speaking about the mental and emotional connection to each golf shot. When you watch Joshua hit a golf shot, it just sounds different. He has a great trio of speed, control, and touch and he showed that two weeks ago winning a large national event, by a big margin, that will be televised on Golf Channel in a couple of weeks. Joshua rounds out a great recruiting class that has a lot of game and are young men of high character."
The current Eagles will return to action in 2025 when they open their spring slate at the Gator Invitational, Feb. 15-16. The two-day event will be hosted by the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla.
2025-26 Eastern Michigan Men's Golf Signing Class
Name • Height • Eligibility Year in 2025-26 • Hometown (High School/Last School)
Charlie Box • 6-0 • Junior • Leicester, England (Wreake Valley Academy/Hutchinson CC)
Hugo Duquaine • 6-2 • Freshman • Chaumont Gistoux, Belgium (CAP International)
Joshua Hess • 5-9 • Freshman • Schattdorf, Switzerland (Montverde Academy)
Jorge Parada • 6-3 • Junior • Hermosillo, Mexico (IMG Academy/South Mountain CC)
Robby Turnbull • 6-4 • Freshman • Auckland, New Zealand (Selwyn College)
2025-26 Signee Biographies
Charlie Box
6-0 • Junior
Leicester, England (Wreake Valley Academy/Hutchinson CC)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles in August 2025 and compete in the 2025-26 season... HUTCHINSON CC: 2024-25: Currently attends Hutchinson Community College and is ranked No. 2 in the latest NJCAA national rankings while ranking No. 1 in his region... Ranked No. 403 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, he has played five events for Hutch this season, winning twice and finishing in the top 10 four times total... Opened the year with the win at The Sam Proal event and recently added medalist honors at the NJCAA National Preview where his Blue Dragons team won the title by 20 strokes... Added runner-up honors at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate as well... 2023-24: Capped the season by placing ninth at the English Men's Amateur Championship after placing 39th in the English U25 Championship... Finished the year ranked No. 10 nationally in the NJCAA rankings after placing sixth at the national tournament... Named an NJCAA All-American... Won the Jayhawk No. 2 Tournament... HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Wreake Valley Academy in Leicester, England... PERSONAL: Full Name: Charlie William Box… Son of Ali and Helen Box… Has one sister, Grace… General Studies major.
Hugo Duquaine
6-2 • Freshman
Chaumont Gistoux, Belgium (CAP International)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles in August 2025 and compete in the 2025-26 season... HIGH SCHOOL: Attends CAP International in Belgium... Captured the title of the Belgium Golf League three times... Also has won Belgium's National Foursome tournament... Has been ranked as highly at 1,035 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings... Since the start of 2024, he has competed in 16 events and posted seven finishes in the top 10, including winning the Grand Prix Wallaert Devilder in France... Added runner-up finishes at the Rigenee Junior Open and Belgium Junior Open while placing third at the Junior Open Wallonie and Gregory Havre Junior Championships in Belgium... Took part in the Royal & Ancient Boys Amateur Championship in England and finished 33rd overall, tying with incoming EMU signee Robby Turnbull... PERSONAL: Full Name: Hugo Frederic Duquaine… Son of Oliver Duquaine and Virginie Francq… Has two siblings, including brother Mathis Duquaine and sister Elina Dubois… Business major.
Joshua Hess
5-9 • Freshman
Schattdorf, Switzerland (Montverde Academy)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles in August 2025 and compete in the 2025-26 season... HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Montverde Academy in Florida... Is a member of the Swiss National Team and helped his team to a fifth-place finish at the 2024 European Boys Team Championship in Switzerland and Austria... Ranked as high as 1,041st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, as of his signing, he has won the past two tournaments he played, including the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship and the IJGT WAGR #1 Championship... Has posted eight top 10 finishes in 2024, including adding wins in Italy at the Il Copa Sureste and at the Swiss Golf Junior Tour Event U18... Won the Optimist Tournament of Champions to qualify for the Orange Bowl Championship... Placed 13th at the Swiss Golf Open Championships and was 60th in the Memorial Olivier Barras professional event... Added victories in 2023 at the U16 Swiss National Championship and the RB German Junior Championship... PERSONAL: Full Name: Joshua Bernhard Hess… Son of Hugo and Corine Hess… International Business major.
Jorge Parada
6-3 • Junior
Hermosillo, Mexico (IMG Academy/South Mountain CC)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles in August 2025 and compete in the 2025-26 season... SOUTH MOUNTAIN: 2024-25: Currently attends and competes for South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., the school in which current EMU head coach Andy Walker led from 2013-18... At the time of signing with the Eagles, Parada is ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA D2 and has won three of the four tournaments he has played... Captured medalist honors at the ENMU-Ruidoso High Country Shootout with an 18-under score to open the year before winning the Paradise Valley CC Fall Invitational at 7-under... Added the Mesa CC Thunderbird Fall Classic to his wins with a 9-under score... ARIZONA STATE: 2023-24: Attended Arizona State University before transferring to South Mountain... Did not play for the Sun Devils... HIGH SCHOOL: Attended IMG Academy in Florida... Finished his career with a 70.8 scoring average, which ranked among the top 10 at IMG... Captured one Mexican National and three Mexican Regional crowns... Represented Sonora in the Mexican Junior Olympics... PERSONAL: Full Name: Jorge Parada Wiley… Son of Jorge Luis Parada and Patricia Wiley… Has two sisters, Ivanna and Christiane Parada… Business major.
Robby Turnbull
6-4 • Freshman
Auckland, New Zealand (Selwyn College)
EMU: 2025-26: Has signed an Athletic Financial Aid Agreement to join the Eagles in August 2025 and compete in the 2025-26 season... HIGH SCHOOL: Attends Selwyn College... Is a three-sport athlete, playing football (soccer), basketball, and golf... As of signing, ranks No. 325 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking... Has played 20 tournaments in 2024 and finished in the top 10 15 times, including five wins and two second-place showings... Captured medalist honors at the Canterbury Stroke Play, New Zealand Stroke Play, South Island U19, NextGen Amateur Tour Royal Wellington, and Victoria Junior Amateur events... Placed second at the New Zealand Amateur Championship... Competed in the R&A Boys Amateur Championship and finished 33rd with incoming EMU signee Hugo Duquaine... Added nine more top 10 finishes in 2023 with victories at the Adidas Golf Junior 6s Tour stops at Moonah Links and Royal Wellington along with the Canterbury Matchplay event... PERSONAL: Full Name: Robby Turnbull… Son of Troy Turnbull and Heather Hornby… Has two sisters, Samantha Davies and Megan Davies… Undecided on a major.
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