Recruiting is an essential part of any college program, and the ISU men’s golf team has gotten off to a strong start.

In November, coach Andrew Tank announced that the Cyclones had signed two standouts in Collin Foster and Scott Fernandez. Now in February, the Cyclones have inked another big-time golfer from New Zealand in Duncan Croudis.

“Scott and Duncan have achieved a lot of the international level,” Tank said, “and Collin has accomplished a lot in Iowa as well.”

Foster had an outstanding high school career at Waukee, finishing third in the state meet as a junior, and then finished his career up by winning the 2010 4A state individual title. Foster also was named to the All-Tournament team and 1st team All-State as a senior.

Fernandez played his golf out of Granada, Spain, and is the No. 2 ranked under-18 golfer in Spain. Fernandez follows sophomore Borja Virto from Spain to Iowa State. He has been a member of the Spanish National Team since 2007.

Croudis had a strong prep career, and is arguably the best under-18 years old golfer in New Zealand. Throughout the last three years of his career, Croudis was undefeated. He also was the medalist at the New Zealand Under-19 Championship, and finished 12th at the 2009 Baddely World Junior Championships in China.

Iowa State will be losing three seniors after this year and will return four golfers that have seen playing time. The incoming recruits will be competing with the younger golfers, including Iowa High School standouts Blake Waller out of Dowling and Andrew Peter from Decorah. Also competing will be Minnesota native Josh Bruder.

“I think all three of these guys coming in have a chance to immediately challenge the older guys and compete in their first year,” Tank said,” so it’ll be fun to see how it all plays out.”