Glendon Poe | The Valdosta Daily TimesLowndes golfer Parker Rowe, front, center, poses for a photo surrounded by family, coach Tommy Watson, principal LeAnne McCall and athletic director Randy McPherson during a signing ceremony at Crimson Coliseum on Friday morning.

VALDOSTA — Playing golf at Valdosta’s Kinderlou Forest Golf Club got Parker Rowe familiar with the Valdosta State golf team. He got familiar with VSU coach Jared Purvis and the players.

So when it came to making his collegiate decision, the Lowndes senior didn’t have to make an official visit.

He just signed his name.

Rowe was joined by family and friends as he signed with the Blazers at Crimson Coliseum on Friday morning.

“I know most of my teammates at VSU and (Purvis) came on strong to me, so I kind of felt right in place there,” said Rowe, who plans to major in business and marketing.

Rowe said years at Lowndes have taught him how to manage his time wisely, make the right choices life and keep focus on the future.

“It’s really important to show me how far I’ve come and it just inspires me to keep working hard and keep chasing my dreams,” Rowe said.

Lowndes golf coach Tommy Watson said Rowe became the first Lowndes boy golfer to sign collegiately since 2011, which was the year the program won its last state championship.

“I take a lot of pride in treating these kids just like they’re my children,” Watson said. “Parker’s an outstanding young man and I couldn’t be more happy for him to be able to continue his education and to get to play golf.

“I have a little boy who hangs around the golf team a lot and my little boy looks up to Parker. Parker is probably his favorite player out of all the guys, and Parker just does a good job taking up time with him.

“It’s just good to see hard work pay off.”