KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island men's golf head coach Gregg Burke has signed two junior golfers ranked in the top 500 nationally in both major golf ranking systems. Maine native Jack Quinn and New Jersey's Mihir Roperia will both join the Rams in 2026-27.  
 
"This was a recruiting cycle like no other," Burke said. " We earmarked Jack almost two years ago with the idea he might be the only recruit from the 2026 class, but our incredible success the last two years has brought tremendous interest. Throughout the fall as we won more and more, we were getting 25 to 30 emails each week from 2026 kids hoping to be recruited. That's how we found Mihir, who stood out among the many others."

One of the most decorated players in New England, Quinn comes to Rhode Island out of Gardiner Area High School in Maine. Quinn is the 2025 World Series of Junior Golf champion, an event that was won by current Ram Tyler Bruneau in 2024.

In 2024, Quinn was the Maine Junior Player of the Year, the Granite State Junior champion, the Class B team and individual champion and the New England Junior Golf Boys champion. He tied for ninth place at the most recent New England Amateur.

"Jack is the perfect Rhody golfer," Burke said. "He comes from a climate where he doesn't get as many reps as his peers, but he wins. He is a top three member of his class in New England and has the most upside. He is also a player who is a Top 500 player nationally in both major junior golf rankings."

Roperia is the 2025 New Jersey Player of the Year (16-18 years old) after winning four consecutive tournaments - the NJPGA Mountain Classic, the NJPGA Junior PGA Championship, the NJPGA Junior Shootout and the NJPGA Junior Masters.

Roperia has one win, two runner-up finishes and four more top finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments. He has 10 wins, six runner-up finishes and six additional top-5 finishes in NJPGA events. He placed 38th at the Junior PGA Championship and 35th at the Men's Orlando International Amateur.

"Like Jack, Mihir is a top 500 golfer in the ratings services," Burke said. "He has played an extensive national schedule for most of his life and has been successful every step of the way. His finishes in professional tournaments and tournaments with players who have played on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours is impressive.

Quinn and Roperia join one of the top rosters in program history. This fall, Rhode Island won four of the six tournaments it played. Rhody also placed fourth out of 14 schools at the loaded Moraine Intercollegiate, finishing ahead of Power 4 programs Iowa, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State. The Rams are ranked third among all schools in the East north of Virginia.

Looking ahead to next Fall, Rhode Island loses senior captain Aidan O'Donovan, who has been a fixture in the lineup since he arrived on campus. Quinn and Roperia will have a chance to make an impact on a team that will be a veteran-laden squad. Along with O'Donovan, current juniors Tony Liu and Josiah Tong, as well as sophomores Tyler Bruneau and Luke Stennett form the nucleus of a team that is one of the best in the Atlantic 10.

"Three years ago we got Tony and Josiah, then followed it with Luke and Tyler.  We did not take a recruit in the 2025 class as we prepared for the NCAA imposed roster limit.  But adding Jack and Mihir gives us six players who were all ranked among the top 500 in junior rankings."

The Rams also have Seb Carlsonn, Bennett Masterson and Owen Rooney, all of whom have eligibility beyond 2025-26. The roster will be as deep and talented as any URI has put together.

We will also have Seb, Owen and Bennett on next year's roster so we will have depth," Burke said. "We have upgraded the schedule again next year and look forward to seeing who is best prepared to face tournaments on a national level."