William Jessup University men's golf coach Matthew Stewart announced his first signing of the 2012 recruiting season in Elk River, Minnesota native Hayden Emerson.

After three successful seasons at Elk River High School, Emerson finished his high school career at Lincoln High School. While playing for the Zebras, Emerson was named team captain and most valuable player in his senior season. Emerson took second place at the Pioneer Valley League Invitational and then he advanced to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Golf Tournament where came up two strokes short of advancing to the CIF Northern California Championships with a round of 76. Emerson also set a new Lincoln High School record by shooting a 33 (-3) at Cherry Island Golf Course in Sacramento, California.

During his time in Minnesota, Emerson played in the Minnesota Junior PGA where he won a tournament at the Riverwood National Golf Club in Otsego, Minnesota with a round of 73. As a junior at Elk River High School, he qualified for the Minnesota State High School League state tournament, where he shot a 74.

Coach Stewart said, "I am very excited to work with Hayden. With Hayden's success on and off the course, he will be a great fit in our program and campus community." Emerson said, "Going to a Christ-centered school has always been important to me. I love golf and the atmosphere at William Jessup. I look forward to growing on the course, in the classroom and life through my time as a Warrior."