Luke Ludwig Makes it Official, Signs to Play Golf at SIU-E

(POSING FOR THE SIGNING CEREMONY PHOTO SEATED, LEFT TO RIGHT: JAMIE LUDWIG (mom), LUKE LUDWIG, JEFF LUDWIG (dad); BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ST. ANTHONY ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KEVIN PALMER, TESA LUDWIG (sister), LANE LUDWIG (brother), MACY LUDWIG (sister) AND ST. ANTHONY VARSITY BOYS GOLF COACH PHIL ZACCARI)

It's been quite a year for Luke Ludwig.

First, the opportunity to compete in the US Junior Amateurs this past summer. Then, Ludwig was part of a St. Anthony squad that won the boys Class 1A state golf championship last month.

Ludwig is ready to take the next step, signing Wednesday to play college golf at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Luke, the son of Jeff and Jamie Ludwig of Effingham, said he really enjoyed the Edwardsville campus and the ease of traveling between campus and home, as well as the level of golf he'll get to experience with many choice courses near campus. He plans to pursue an engineering degree while at Edwardsville.

When asked about a PGA career, Ludwig took a first things first attitude, saying he has things to work on before such goals can be considered. He wants to help the SIU-E golf team and, hopefully, compete and win some tournaments. He really enjoyed the Junior Amateur experience. The Web.com Tour is also a possibility, if he can raise the level of his game sufficiently to compete. Mostly, he initially wants to earn his degree and get a job.

Greg Sapp had the opportunity to talk with Luke following the signing ceremony...