Hughes joins EMU as a transfer from Grand Canyon University. At GCU, Hughes was a vital member of the school’s club team, contributing to back-to-back National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Team National Championships at the Dancing Rabbit Golf Club in Philadelphia, Miss. in Fall 2023, and Winstar Golf Club in Thackerville, Okla. in Spring 2024. Individually, Hughes achieved impressive finishes, tying for fourth place at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in Spring 2023 and securing a tie for second at Winstar Golf Club in Spring 2024.

During his high school years at Summit High School, Hughes demonstrated remarkable talent and consistency. As a senior, he helped the team notch nine wins and one third-place finish, contributing to a record-breaking team score of 16-under at the OSAA 6A State Championship. Hughes’s high school career was decorated with accolades, including being named Team MVP as a freshman, leading his team to the 2022 OSAA 6A State Golf Team Championship, and achieving top individual finishes in state championships from 2019 to 2022. His junior golf career was equally impressive, with titles such as the 2020 Oregon Junior Stroke Play Champion and the 2020 Central Oregon Junior Champion, along with a notable appearance at the 2021 IMG Junior World.

“I’m very excited to add Lucas to our roster,” said Walker. “He’s played golf at a very high level his whole career and now it’s time to step up to the biggest stage in college golf and show everyone what he’s got.  Sometimes you just need an opportunity and with the support of Eastern Michigan and GameAbove we are grateful to be able to provide this opportunity to Lucas and his family. I cannot wait to get him to Ypsi.”

He joins Timothy Chan (Hong Kong, China/New Mexico Junior College/VCU), Pietro Fenoglio (Torino, Italy/Liceo Amerigo Vespucci/TCU), Rory McDonald O’Brien (Shrewsbury, England/Shrewsbury School/South Carolina Aiken), Daniel Robles Delval (Albacete, Spain/Escuela Nacional Blume/Rogers State), and Bavake Sihota (Caledon, Ontario/Independent Learning Center/Michigan) who previously announced their commitment to EMU.