LAKE CHARLES – Coming off its first Southland Conference championship in 36 years and first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals, McNeese men's golf head coach Austin Burk continues to build a program that has improved leaps and bounds during his four seasons at the helm, and on Wednesday, announced the signing of European standout Daniel O'Loughlin of Nottingham, Great Britain, for the 2016-17 season.
 
O'Loughlin, who has represented England at the U16 and U18 levels, recently placed ninth at the 72-hole Peter McEvoy Trophy tournament against a strong European field. There he shot rounds of 70, 73, 71 and 70 to finish with a 284.
 
In 2015 he finished first at the Henderson and Carlisle U21 county competition. He also helped the Nott's U18 team to a win at the East Midland Regional Final, and because of that play, he's been asked to Captain for the Nott's U18 team this summer.
 
He set a new course record with rounds of 74 and 68 when winning the Ruddington Grange Club Championship and also took home a first place trophy at the Junior Club Championship.
 
Throughout his youth career O'Loughlin finished second at the Faldo Series, fourth at the Midland Youths, seventh at the McGregor, eighth at the North of England, and 14^th at the Irish Boys Championships.
 
"We're excited to add Daniel to the team for next fall," said Burk. "With the signing of Tom Atkins a few months ago, both will be nice additions as freshmen. Each has found success at the national level and are excited to come to McNeese and continue to progress."
 
The Cowboys signed Atkins, a native of Poole, England, back in November. He's had a stellar youth career that has seen him reach as high as a No. 2 national ranking last fall.