Fleck Adds Lamborne and Upchurch for 2026 men’s Golf Season
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State Men’s Golf Head Coach Mike Fleck has bolstered his roster with the signings of two highly-ranked Indiana high school golfers, Brayden Lamborne and Mattingly Upchurch, both set to join the cardinals for the 2026 season. The additions continue a strong recruiting trend for Fleck, whose team is currently achieving program records with its young talent.
Lamborne, from Evansville, and Upchurch, from Fishers, are both listed in the top 10 of the Indiana Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings. Fleck, beginning his 28th season as head coach, emphasized the commitment to success both players bring. “Brayden and Mattingly both know how to shoot low scores and will join a roster that is committed to continuing our tradition of success,” he said.”We were again able to attract some of the very best players from the state with these two young men joining our family. There’s no doubt whatsoever,they will compete and continue to push that winning mentality and mindset with their teammates and the program.”
Lamborne, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, has earned first-team all-conference honors three consecutive years playing for Castle High School in Evansville. He demonstrated his skill in junior competition by qualifying for the Notah Begay National Championship (71-69), winning the 2025 Golfweek Junior Tour at Purdue with scores of 70-64, and tying for second at the Golfweek Junior event held at Ball state (71-71).He is currently ranked as the third-best player in Indiana’s 2026 class.
“Brayden is one of the best players in our state in this class,” Fleck stated. “He has a proven and accomplished record against some of the best players around, including competing against two of our current Evansville freshmen, Luke Johnston and Brody Sorrell, throughout his high school and junior golf career. Brayden has sharpened his skillset playing high level junior golf and we are excited for him to bring that competitive mindset and talent to Ball State.”
Upchurch joins the Cardinals as the No. 6-ranked player in indiana’s 2026 class. He was a second-team all-state pick last year, following a first-team selection as a sophomore. Playing for Hamilton Southeastern High School, Upchurch has been an all-conference honoree as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, and has earned medalist honors at both sectional and regional competitions. In 2025, he secured three junior golf victories, including the Golfweek Junior Tour at Ball State (67-64), the Indiana Age Group Championship (67-70), and an Indiana Junior Golf Fall Series event in Kokomo (72-70). He also finished fourth at the Hoosier Junior Championship this fall (68-75).
“Mattingly will compete anywhere, anytime and that’s what really attracted us to him and his game,” said Fleck. “He loves the competition and what it creates while establishing himself as one of the top players in the field in almost every tournament he plays. He will fit right in with an ultra-competitive mindset and culture here with our guys and we are looking forward to him joining our squad.”
