Clark Palmer was recruited by some of the best collegiate golf teams in the country, but the way it all unfolded, it seemed as if he was recruiting them.

Palmer visited six schools and regularly fired off e-mails and phone calls to coaches. At the urging of his father, Fred, he would loft questions toward each school's players, trying to extract information about the program.

"He did probably 98 percent of the work," Fred Palmer said.

Said Richmond Academy coach Gene Crislip, "He's like that ... he's a leader."

Palmer on Thursday made official what he decided more than six months ago: to accept a scholarship to play golf at North Carolina. He signed a binding letter of intent in front of his friends and family in one corner of the school's library, glimmering with light blue decorations for the occasion.

Palmer chose North Carolina over Ala-bama, Auburn, Georgia, Duke and South Carolina. The opportunity to play in the team's top five as a freshman was a strong factor in choosing the Tar Heels over early leader Alabama, he said.

Palmer's father (Class of 1978) and brother Wallace (Class of 2008) also attended North Carolina.

Palmer decided to attend North Carolina in April. Once he made the decision, he said he didn't think much about his future plans, beyond the obvious challenges unfolding in front of him. Like that day in May, when he shot 71 and helped Richmond Academy win the Class AAAA state title at Bartram Trail.

"That's not like me," he said. "I was pretty much set once I decided (on North Carolina)."

Palmer, the No. 1 golfer on that reigning state title team, can now look forward to his final season at Richmond Academy, which could include his third state title.

The Musketeers will compete in a region that will include three of the top teams in the state when you also factor in Westside and Lakeside.

"It's going to be very competitive," Palmer said.

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.