Knoxville Boys Golfers Evan Smith and Carson Uitermarkt made it official on Tuesday as they both signed with Northwestern College in Orange City to continue their golf careers after they complete their senior seasons this spring for the Panthers. Both Smith and Uitermarkt played instrumental roles in the Panthers runner-up finish at the class 3A State Meet last spring and both told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was the small town feel of Northwestern that drew them to become Raiders starting next fall.

Evan: “The feeling of the entire town, the campus, it just felt like home. Meeting the guys and the coach was awesome and there weren’t any cons to that place and I’m ready to call it home for the next 4 years.”

Carson: “Coming from Knoxville, a small town and going to a town like Orange City, it just feels like home, and I played golf with the guys and it didn’t feel like I was playing with college guys. Evan and I are ready to head up there next fall and start playing.”

Both are currently undecided on a major, but they have an interest in getting into coaching after their college careers have finished. Northwestern is an NAIA school and a member of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.