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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In an exciting development for the West Virginia University golf program, head coach Sean Covich proudly announced the signing of talented athletes Brody Burgess, Jack Michael, and Gabe Schmitz, who have committed to national letters-of-intent for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.
“This is a class that coach Koras and I are very excited about bringing in next year,” Covich remarked enthusiastically. “There are certain intangibles we look for in recruiting, and while all three are very different players, we believe they each have what it takes to achieve success as a person, student, and golfer here at WVU.”
Burgess is a promising young golfer hailing from Victor, New York, where he currently attends Victor Central School.
Burgess Bio:
- Named the 2023 Rochester District Golf Association Player of the Year
- Achieved 2023 All Greater Rochester Player of the Year
- Earning recognition as a 2024 First Team All-State selection
- Ranked among the Top Five Best Junior Golfers in New York by Junior Golf Scoreboard
- Ranked inside the Top 200 nationally as a Best Junior Golfer by Junior Golf Scoreboard
- Secured a second-place finish at the AJGA Kenton County Kentucky Open
- Finished as the 2023 Runner-Up at the New York High School State Championship
- Achieved a Top Five (4th place) finish at the 2024 New York High School State Championship
- Qualified for the prestigious 2024 US Junior Amateur Championship
- Shot an impressive 68 to qualify for the 2023 Monroe Men’s Amateur, and continued with a strong final round of 67
- Claimed victory at the 2023 Rochester District Junior Championship
- Triumphed in the Men’s Club Championship at Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Victor, N.Y.
- Also demonstrated his athleticism by playing varsity basketball for Victor High
- Plans to major in business
- Son of Ashley Thayer and Brent Burgess
Covich on Burgess: “We are excited to add Brody to our WVU golf family. Brody is a competitor and an athlete. I love that he is also a high-skilled basketball player who understands ‘team’ and knows how to compete. He’s a big kid who also has a great touch around the greens. I’m excited to see what he can accomplish over his career at WVU.”
Michael calls Huntington, West Virginia, home and is a student at Cabell Midland High School.
Michael Bio:
- Currently the top-ranked junior golfer in West Virginia
- Claimed victory at the 2023 West Virginia Junior Amateur Championship with remarkable rounds of 71-68
- Won the prestigious 2024 WVSSAC Class AAA High School State Individual Medalist title
- Runner up in 2023 and Third Place in 2022 at the same championship
- Excelled by leading Cabell Midland to the 2024 WVSSAC Class AAA High School State Championship
- Helped his team to Runner-Up finishes in 2021 & 2022
- Recognized as a three-time First Team All-State recipient in WVSSAC Class AAA
- A three-time Regional Medalist showcasing his talent on the course
- Achieved qualifications for the West Virginia Men’s Amateur in six consecutive years from 2019 to 2024
- Finished as the runner-up at the West Virginia Junior Match Play Championship in 2023 & 2024
- Qualified for the competitive 2024 North & South Junior held at Pinehurst Resort
- Two-time champion of the Golfweek Junior Tour tournaments
- Secured a Top 5 (Fourth place) finish at the AJGA Bluegrass Junior with rounds of 71-68-71
- Achieved a Top 10 (Ninth place) finish in the First Tee Miami Junior Classic played at The Blue Monster at Doral
- Four-time participant in the Mid-Atlantic Junior Invitational
- Competed in two Carolina’s vs. Virginia’s Junior events and contributed by winning 2 ½ points for Virginia’s team
- Earned a spot on the All-America Rolex Scholastic Junior Honor Roll
- Intending to major in business
- Son of Tiffany and Chris Michael
Covich on Michael: “Jack Michael has a tremendous work ethic, plus he knows how to win. Jack has played a lot of tournament golf and brings a ton of experience to our team. I always love being able to get a West Virginia kid who knows what it takes to be successful here. He won’t be afraid to work hard, and I have no doubt that he will be successful both on and off the golf course at WVU.”
Schmitz, a rising star from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, currently attends Hilton Head Christian Academy.
- Finished as Runner-Up in the 2024 South Carolina High School State Championship with impressive rounds of 72-72
- Secured Runner-Up honors in the 2023 South Carolina High School State Championship with rounds of 70-67
- Achieved Runner-Up status in the 2023 South Carolina Junior Golf Match Play Championship
- Secured a top-five finish in the 2024 AJGA Bermuda Junior Championship with consistent rounds of 72-72-74 at Port Royal Golf Course in Bermuda
- Finished sixth in the 2024 AJGA Nemacolin Junior with rounds of 69-73-71
- Noteworthy Top 10 finish in the 2023 Carolina’s Junior Championship with rounds of 70-71-72
- Helped lead Hilton Head Christian Academy’s golf team to victory in the 2023 South Carolina State Championship
- Selected to compete in the 41st Carolina’s / Virginia’s Team Matches
- Two-time Men’s Club Champion at Berkeley Hall in 2021 and 2022
- Plans to major in business
- Son of Wendy McCuiston and Brian Schmitz
Covich on Schmitz: “Gabe is a very accomplished player from South Carolina who will bring a lot of talent to our team. He has competed against great junior golfers being from the Hilton Head Island area. Gabe is a very consistent player who will only get better at the NCAA Division I level. There’s a lot to like about his game, and we are excited to add him to an already talented incoming class.”
**Interview with WVU Golf Coach Sean Covich on the New Signings for the 2025-26 Season**
**Editor:** Coach Covich, thank you for joining us today. You’ve just announced some exciting signings for the WVU golf program. Can you tell us more about the new recruits?
**Sean Covich:** Absolutely, I’m thrilled to share that we’ve signed Brody Burgess, Jack Michael, and Gabe Schmitz. Each of them brings something unique to our program. We’re very excited about the talent and character they will add to our team.
**Editor:** Let’s talk about Brody Burgess first. What stood out to you about his skills on the golf course?
**Sean Covich:** Brody is a competitor through and through. He’s not just an impressive golfer, being named the 2023 Rochester District Golf Association Player of the Year and ranking among the top juniors in New York. His basketball background also adds to his athleticism and team spirit. He has a wonderful touch around the greens, and I can’t wait to see how that translates into his college career.
**Editor:** And Jack Michael, hailing from West Virginia, has some impressive accomplishments as well. How do you see him fitting into the team?
**Sean Covich:** Jack’s a remarkable athlete, and being the top-ranked junior golfer in West Virginia speaks volumes. His experience with tournament play is invaluable; he knows how to compete at high levels, which is something we prioritize. Jack’s work ethic is impressive, and with his local knowledge, he’s sure to integrate well with the team and contribute to our success.
**Editor:** You mentioned each recruit has different qualities. What can you tell us about Gabe Schmitz?
**Sean Covich:** Gabe is another exceptional talent. Though I focused more on Burgess and Michael, I can tell you that he’s shown consistent improvement and has a bright future. We are confident that he’ll bring energy and skills that will complement our other players.
**Editor:** You’ve highlighted the importance of character and intangibles in recruiting. What do you look for beyond just athletic ability?
**Sean Covich:** That’s a great question. We want players who are not only talented but are also good students, teammates, and individuals. Traits like resilience, teamwork, and sportsmanship are essential. These players have to adapt to college life, which is challenging, and having strong character helps them thrive both academically and athletically.
**Editor:** What message would you like to send to the WVU golf community with these new signings?
**Sean Covich:** I’m excited about the future of our program. Not only are we bringing in incredibly skilled golfers, but we are also adding individuals who are committed to growing as students and teammates. We believe this class will make a significant impact, and I’m eager to see what they will accomplish at WVU.
**Editor:** Thank you, Coach Covich. We look forward to seeing how these new athletes will elevate the WVU golf program in the coming years!
