Franklin, Tenn., golfer Gavin Shellnut, the grandson of Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame member Wayne Shellnut, recently signed to play golf for the Universtiy of Tennessee Martin.

Shellnut, whose brother Tyler currently plays golf for UT Martin, is a two-sport athlete at Battle Ground Academy in Frankin, Tenn. He also plays basketball.

“Gavin has played golf since junior high and has played on several junior tours with quality finishes for the past four years,” UT Martin coach Jerry Carpenter said.

Shellnut is a two-time all-state golfer. He finished fifth in the state as a junior and third this past fall as a senior. He tied for first place in the regional tournament as a freshman and has been a member of the BGA varsity since he was an eighth grader.

As a junior Shellnut helped the Wildcats finished second in the state tournament.

“Gavin is extremely long off the tee and that makes for a shorter shot into the green,” Carpenter said. “His golf skills will improve when all his time is committed to golf. He has a great attitude, a strong work ethic and will be a perfect fit for our program.”

This past spring Carpenter and the Skyhawks finished fifth in the OVC Tournament.

“These two players possess the skills and work ethic to help elevate our program to the next level of the OVC,” Carpenter said.