Bears Bring In Two Transfers Ahead Of Fall Season
8/13/2025 3:31:00 PM | Men's Golf
MACON – Head coach Jason Payne announced the signing of two new transfers to the Mercer men's golf team ahead of the upcoming season, Albin Ekvall and Josemaria Gutierrez.
Ekvall joins the Bears as a junior from Barry (DII) after cementing his name in the Buccaneers' record books. As a true freshman, Ekvall became the fifth player in the program's history to be named the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year in the 2023-24 campaign that also earned him All-SSC Third Team honors.
"He reminds me a lot of (former Mercer standout) Tobias Jonsson," Payne said. "He's the reigning Freshman of the Year for the Sunshine State Conference and he has a lot of international experience that will translate to success here."
The Vasatorps, Sweden, native finished second individually in the 2024 SSC Championship to help propel Barry to its third straight conference championship. Ekvall's 10-under round is the fifth-lowest score in SSC Championship history. In the same tournament, Ekvall shot the third-lowest score in a single round in SSC Championship history after shooting a 7-under 65.
Gutierrez comes to Mercer as a senior after stints with Barton (DII) and Missouri Baptist (NAIA). As a Bulldog, Gutierrez qualified for the 2024 U.S. Amateur, was named a 2024-25 Golf Coaches Association of America NCAA All-American Scholar and became the Conference Carolinas Golfer of the Week for his performance in the ECU Ironwood Intercollegiate.
"Josemaria is already coming in with a great amount of college experience under his belt," Payne said. "He is one of the top amateurs in Mexico and we are excited to bring someone who has such high international experience to our roster this upcoming year."
The Mexico City, Mexico, native helped guide Barton to a 14th place finish in the 2025 NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional Championship. During his time at MBU, Gutierrez contributed to the Spartans second-place finish at the AMC Championship and saw MBU's first win in two years at the 2023 Blue Mountain Golf Classic.
Ekvall joins the Bears as a junior from Barry (DII) after cementing his name in the Buccaneers' record books. As a true freshman, Ekvall became the fifth player in the program's history to be named the Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year in the 2023-24 campaign that also earned him All-SSC Third Team honors.
"He reminds me a lot of (former Mercer standout) Tobias Jonsson," Payne said. "He's the reigning Freshman of the Year for the Sunshine State Conference and he has a lot of international experience that will translate to success here."
The Vasatorps, Sweden, native finished second individually in the 2024 SSC Championship to help propel Barry to its third straight conference championship. Ekvall's 10-under round is the fifth-lowest score in SSC Championship history. In the same tournament, Ekvall shot the third-lowest score in a single round in SSC Championship history after shooting a 7-under 65.
Gutierrez comes to Mercer as a senior after stints with Barton (DII) and Missouri Baptist (NAIA). As a Bulldog, Gutierrez qualified for the 2024 U.S. Amateur, was named a 2024-25 Golf Coaches Association of America NCAA All-American Scholar and became the Conference Carolinas Golfer of the Week for his performance in the ECU Ironwood Intercollegiate.
"Josemaria is already coming in with a great amount of college experience under his belt," Payne said. "He is one of the top amateurs in Mexico and we are excited to bring someone who has such high international experience to our roster this upcoming year."
The Mexico City, Mexico, native helped guide Barton to a 14th place finish in the 2025 NCAA DII South/Southeast Regional Championship. During his time at MBU, Gutierrez contributed to the Spartans second-place finish at the AMC Championship and saw MBU's first win in two years at the 2023 Blue Mountain Golf Classic.
Players Mentioned
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