STANFORD, Calif. – The Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf Conrad Ray announced the addition of three student-athletes who signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday to join the Cardinal Golf program. Jake Beber-Frankel, Michael Thorbjornsen and Karl Vilips will join the program in the fall of 2020.
"This is a big day for the Stanford Men's Golf program," Ray said of his signing class. "We have worked diligently to put together this recruiting class that is arguably the best combined class in the history of the program. To have three players all ranked in the top-10 in the national rankings, and along with that all of the experience they bring, is very exciting. The neat thing about this group is that they are all good friends and are approaching Stanford not as the end goal but rather a springboard in achieving their bigger goals down the road in all that golf and life throw their way. We are grateful that this group has bought into the belief that world-class athletics and academics are not mutually exclusive."
Conrad Ray on Beber-Frankel:
"We can't wait for Jake Beber-Frankel to be part of our squad. Jake, ranked No. 12 according to Junior Golf Scoreboard, has had an awesome junior golf career both in Florida and at the national level. His physical upside, speed, and panache are hard to come by and we can't wait to see what the next four years hold for Jake at Stanford. He will be a leader for us and is very talented in the classroom as well. Jake Beber-Frankel is a huge addition to the program."
• Ranked No. 12 by Junior Golf Scoreboard and No. 23 in the AJGA Rankings
• Two-time Junior All-American who played in three AJGA Invitationals with a third-place finish at the Thunderbird International Junior
• Played for his high school golf team from seventh grade on, qualifying for the state championship as an individual or team all six seasons
• First Team All-Dade Country (2015-19) and Miami-Dade County Golfer of the Year in 2017 and 2018, with 2019 yet to be announced
• Son of David Frankel and Jennifer Beber … has one sister, Phoebe Beber-Frankel
Conrad Ray on Thorbjornsen:
"As the 2018 U.S. Junior Champion, multiple Junior President Cup squad member, and 2019 U.S. Open participant, Michael brings to The Farm an experience level that is hard to beat. He has tremendous touch for a player that drives it a country mile. Michael's ranking of No. 8 according to JGSB is just one feather in his cap amongst many and yet doesn't account for his U.S. Open play where he made the cut with the top pros in the world at Pebble Beach this past summer. Michael has room to grow and will hopefully only get better as time goes on at Stanford."
• Ranked No. 28 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, No. 8 by Junior Golf Scoreboard and No. 29 in the AJGA Rankings
• Two-time national junior golf champion and two-time Wyndham Cup East Team member
• Played in the U.S. Amateur Championship and U.S. Open and was selected to the United State Junior Presidents Cup team in Australia
• Served as AJGA Player Representative to the Board of Directors
• Son of Thorbjorn and Sandra Chiang Thorbjornsen … has three siblings – Victoria Lotus, Michelle Caprise and Teresa Corniche … mother played golf at Ursuline College
Conrad Ray on Vilips:
"We are excited to welcome Karl Vilips, the No. 1-ranked junior in the country, to the Stanford family. Karl has been the top prospect in the country for multiple years and his record speaks for itself. His international background and achievement at every level around the globe will match up well with what we are building and what we are all about at Stanford Golf. It is great to see a player of his caliber appreciate the importance and advantage of getting a world-class degree and surrounding himself with talented people both on and off the course in his teammates and fellow classmates. Karl is mature beyond his years and should make an immediate impact with his leadership, skill set, and desire to win."
• Ranked No. 34 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, No. 1 by Junior Golf Scoreboard and No. 2 in the AJGA Rankings
• Four-time Junior All-American, including first team each of the last three seasons
• Six career national junior golf wins, four-time Wyndham Cup team member and two-time selection to Junior Presidents Cup International team, which will play in his home country of Australia in December
• Collected five top-four national junior golf finishes in 2019 and never finished outside the top 10 in AJGA play
• Son of Paul Vilips and Wulan Meilanie … was born in Jakarta, Indonesia