Men’s Golf Signs Bondesson, Safa to 2022 Recruiting Class
12/3/2021 2:20:00 PM | Men's Golf
The Tigers welcome Alfons Bondesson and Antonio Safa to the lineup next fall
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri men's golf team officially signed Alfons Bondesson (Gothenburg, Sweden) and Antonio Safa (Torreón, Mexico) to the 2022 recruiting class as recently announced by co-head coaches Mark Leroux and Mark Hankins. The international pair carry with them strong, fresh talent, adding depth to the current lineup.
Alfons Bondesson | Gothenburg, Sweden | Katrinelundsgymnasiet
Traveling across the Atlantic, Alfons Bondesson brings with him a robust prep career resume with ample amount of recent success after inking his National Letter of Intent to become a Tiger next Fall.
A standout in his home country, Bondesson is the 10th best amateur in all of Sweden as well as first in the U18 age group and third in the U21 range. Going beyond the borders, he is ranked No. 511 in the world according to World Amateur Golf Rankings. His talent was no doubt put on display in June when he clinched the 2021 Swedish Junior Championship (U21) title after carding three of four rounds of par or better to finish 5-under-par. His victory marked his second win of the year in addition to six Top-3, eight Top-5 and 11 Top-10 finishes within the span of just 16 tournaments. He has boasted a 71.8 scoring average this past year, anchored by shooting 18 of 47 rounds under-par.
In addition to being on the Swedish National Team, Bondesson also competes on the European boys team. Earlier this year in July, his team placed as a bronze medalist at the European Boys Team Championship. The team factor is an aspect Bondesson enjoys and is looking forward to at Mizzou as Sweden doesn't have athletic school teams, leaving more of a focus on individual club competition.
Coach Hankins on Alfons: "Alfons is a top junior player in Sweden and Europe. He is a good athlete that is dedicated to becoming the best and playing professional golf in his future. We are excited to have his competitive nature and talents here at Mizzou next year."
"I'm looking forward to competing as a team because we don't really have that in Sweden. I believe it's a big advantage to have a small team with really good players who will become my teammates and sparring partners. It's going to be a huge difference and a lot of fun to go and play all of the tournaments with them," said Bondesson.
Bondesson chose Mizzou over the University of North Texas, the University of Utah and the University of Wisconsin due to a combination of academic and athletic opportunities provided by campus facilities and being a part of the Southeastern Conference.
"I believe [Mizzou] is a place where I can take my golf to the next level and get ready for the PGA tour. By being a part of the SEC and having such a strong schedule, we'll play against some of the best colleges and players in the world. Both coach Leroux and coach Hankins are really motivated, and with their team, we will be very competitive," said Bondesson.
Antonio Safa | Torreón, Mexico | Colegio Americano de Torreón
Antonio Safa recently signed on the dotted line of his National Letter of Intent to come play men's golf for Mizzou next fall.
A member of the Mexican Junior National team for the past year and a half, Safa has competed and achieved success in a variety of elite events. He is ranked the No. 2 Junior golfer in Mexico, securing six Top-10 finishes just within the past year. Safa's career-best performance came in October of 2020 at the Copa Zona Norte, a Mexican national event, where claimed the individual title. He shot a 13-under 203 (66-72-65) to safely clinch the win with a four-stroke lead.
Just in the last three months, Safa has competed both in the United States and in Mexico and has posted three consecutive Top-10 finishes to boost his U.S. national junior ranking to 252 in the country based on Junior Golf Scoreboard. In September at the XI Copa Zona Centro, he carded a 4-under 212 (71-72-69), placing third overall. Safa then went on to fire a 9-under 207 (70-71-66) in this year's Copa Zona Norte event in October to finish in seventh place. Most recently he placed second in the Copa Valle de Mexico tournament at the beginning of November.
Coach Hankins on Antonio Safa: "Antonio has been a top prospect based on his talent for the past few years. We have recently seen great strides in his physical stature, consistency and tournament results which is exciting and projects well for his future success here at Mizzou. He is very well-traveled, experienced in international competition and we look forward to his continued progress."
He has enjoyed representing his country and competing around the world but looks forward to the intense competition that Mizzou has to offer being in the SEC.
"With the SEC being the best golf conference in the country, I'm really excited about playing against all of the other universities that play at such a high level. [With Mizzou] being such a good team, I know coach Leroux and Hankins will ask me to always give my 100 percent which will just push me to reach my goals," said Safa.
The desire to improve is nothing new to Safa as this past year has been a strict development focus for him after he was forced to adapt his golf game to match his newfound height.
"I had to develop my golf game more this past year in different ways because I grew over five inches. It was a bit difficult at times, but I managed to adapt and play really well recently. It was a major focus on development for me this past year and I look to continue it moving forward," said Safa.
