Baker, Patel comprise Class of 2025 for Tech men's golf

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech men’s golf head coach Brian Sharp announced the signing of Aiden Patel and Ben Baker to the Hokies' Class of 2025 Wednesday. Patel and Baker, both Virginia standouts, will enroll at Tech next summer.

Aiden Patel
6-1
Ashburn, Va.
Rock Ridge High School

High School: Four-year letterwinner at Rock Ridge High School … First-team all-state in 2024 … Captain of the golf team (2022-24) … Individual district champion in 2024 … Individual region champion in 2024 … Medalist in all nine matches as a senior … Broke the nine-hole school record (31) and average (32.4) as a senior … Chose Virginia Tech over Maryland, Navy, Colorado State, Rutgers and Notre Dame.

Junior/Amateur: One AJGA top-five finish and two top-10 finishes in 2024 … Two AJGA top-five finishes and one top-10 finish in 2023 … Ranked No. 167 nationally and No. 4 in Virginia for the class of 2025 by the AJGA.

Personal: Aiden Patel … Son of Manish and Charul Patel … One sister, Ava … President Award (2022-24) … Plans to major in business management.

Sharp on Patel: "The success Aiden has had throughout junior golf should only continue during his years here at Virginia Tech. He has a great presence on the course and all the tools to compete with the best players in the ACC. As he continues to mature, physically and mentally, he will help our team reach a lot of our goals, and I am excited about him coming to Blacksburg."

Ben Baker
5-10
Broadlands, Va.
Briar Woods High School

High School: Four-year letterwinner at Briar Woods High School … Two-time individual Class 5A state champion in 2023 and 2024 ... First-team all-state (2022-23) ... Averaged 33.6 on nine holes and 68.5 on 18 holes … Chose Virginia Tech over George Mason and Navy.

Junior/Amateur: 2024 TYGA Mid Pines Junior champion … Won two AJGA tournaments in 2024 … Fired rounds of 71-69-69 to win the Nemacolin Junior Championship ... Followed that performance one week later with rounds of 72-71-74 to capture the AM Technical Solutions Junior at Southpointe ... Two AJGA top-five finishes in 2024 … Five TJGT top-five finishes from November 2023 to June 2024 … Finished third at 2024 VSGA Junior Stroke Play at 1-under 215 (73-70-72) … Ranked No. 35 nationally and No. 3 in Virginia for the class of 2025 by the AJGA.

Personal: Benjamin Baker … Son of Ted and Min Baker … One brother, Daniel … Plans to major in business.

Sharp on Baker: "Ben is one of the most consistent players I have seen in a long time. I know this sounds a bit strange, but the best compliment I can give him would be to say he is pretty boring on a golf course! He simply understands what works well for his game and does that time and time again, which is why he is such a good player. I have no doubt that he will contribute to the team's success from the first day he arrives on campus."