The Northern Kentucky University men’s golf team has added more local flair to its roster. Already with three on the roster from the NKY area, the Norse have added Highlands grad Justin Gabbard and St. Henry grad Mason Butler. Both are transfers into the program.
Butler comes in from Thomas More, where he played two seasons. He competed in 19 tournaments for the Saints, finishing in the top 10 four times, and posted a career-best top five finish at the Roger Merb Invitational during the 2021-22 season.
He posted the top score for the Saints four times.
At St. Henry, Butler qualified for the KHSAA state tournament twice. He also helped the Crusaders to a Class A state championship, finishing runner-up as an individual.
Gabbard joins NKU after three seasons at Xavier University. As a Musketeer, Gabbard played in 26 tournaments and finished in the top 20 three times last season, including a season-best 10th place finish at NKU’s home tournament in Batavia, Ohio, The Jewell.
With the Bluebirds, Gabbard won 8th Region Player of the Year in 2018 and 2020, winning the 8th Region Tournament in 2018. During the 2020 season, he finished top five at the KHSAA state tournament and earned First Team All-State honors.
He’ll join another Highlands alum, Luke Muller, who enters his senior season with the Norse. The five NKY golfers on the Norse roster are Butler, Gabbard, Muller, incoming freshman Caleb Eaglin from Newport Central Catholic and senior Evan Stewart, who went to Conner.
Northern Kentucky opens the 2024 fall campaign in West Virginia, as the Norse are set to compete in Marshall’s Joe Feaganes Invitational beginning on Sept. 8.