College Golf?

[Fake WSimpson]

Any of you guys play or have played college golf? Where? What did it take to get there? Your handicap? Tournaments you played in?

[BuckeyeNut]

I played at Wake Forest....maybe you have heard of me.  I am better known here as Fake WSimpson

[Fake WSimpson]

  BuckeyeNut said:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNut

I played at Wake Forest....maybe you have heard of me.  I am better known here as Fake WSimpson

simmer down there cowboy

[xmanhockey7]

I never have or probably ever will. I got a couple offers to play community college golf and I was shooting usually mid 70s in high school tournaments when I had a couple coaches getting a hold of me. I think they got a hold of a lot of players at my ability though. College I go to now you have to be able to shoot around par consistently to make the team. I'm definitely not that good.

[ryebread442]

I played for three years at Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a Division III program (conference: Capital Athletic Conference), but there are some pretty good players. Usually, I was just one of the utility guys that went to minor tournaments or filled in with guys who couldn't make it due to class. We usually played a bunch of southern Pennsylvania courses like Hershey C.C., Links at Gettysburg, etc...

The program was in its infancy when I was a freshman so I walked on and had the chance to play right from the start. I was slowly phased out when better players started showing up. You could find a range of scores at a D III tournament. One time, I think someone shot in the 140s while the winner shot -2. Junior year, my rounds were 90, 98, 124 (never play competitively the week after you just finished physical therapy), and 89. I was never in contention, but it was always a lot of fun. Short hitters beware, though. There were times when I couldn't reach par-4s in two because of my 205-215 drive.

[Fake WSimpson]

  ryebread442 said:

I played for three years at Stevenson University in Baltimore, Maryland. It's a Division III program (conference: Capital Athletic Conference), but there are some pretty good players. Usually, I was just one of the utility guys that went to minor tournaments or filled in with guys who couldn't make it due to class. We usually played a bunch of southern Pennsylvania courses like Hershey C.C., Links at Gettysburg, etc...

The program was in its infancy when I was a freshman so I walked on and had the chance to play right from the start. I was slowly phased out when better players started showing up. You could find a range of scores at a D III tournament. One time, I think someone shot in the 140s while the winner shot -2. Junior year, my rounds were 90, 98, 124 (never play competitively the week after you just finished physical therapy), and 89. I was never in contention, but it was always a lot of fun. Short hitters beware, though. There were times when I couldn't reach par-4s in two because of my 205-215 drive.

thanks for the info. I'm currently a sophomore in high school. who regularly shoots around even par. I am playing in some summer tournaments but is kin of curious how I would get some attention. Do I send a letter to colleges? Do they come talk to me? etc.

[skates]

I played 3 years at a small school in CT. Started as just something to do and then junior and senior took it pretty seriously. I am a competitive person by nature so after the first year of just losing it kind of drove me to get better. I scores ranged from 75-85ish nothing spectacular but on a good day I could be close to the top of the leader board. Biggest gap I saw was in a conference championship one kid shot 68 at blackstone national and a kid from a school with only 4 golfers on the whole team shot like 130 i believe, pretty crazy

[ryebread442]

I know coaches actively recruit (my coach stalked out the Maryland State Championships), but it never hurts to give coaches a call or filling out an academic interest form. Since you are still a sophomore, my advice is to keep doing what you are doing now (since you can shoot around even par, you are obviously doing a good number of things right). If your grades are good and your game follows, there's no doubt that a team will pick you up. Also, remember that you'll have to work twice as hard when it comes to schoolwork. Depending on your choice of major, it can be pretty demanding. I don't mean to scare you, but it's something to file away for the future. If you have a good head on your shoulders, you'll do fine. Also, enjoy high-school while it lasts. I graduate from college in 2 weeks, but it feels like I walked across the stage for high-school just yesterday.

[xmanhockey7]

  Fake WSimpson said:

Originally Posted by Fake WSimpson

thanks for the info. I'm currently a sophomore in high school. who regularly shoots around even par. I am playing in some summer tournaments but is kin of curious how I would get some attention. Do I send a letter to colleges? Do they come talk to me? etc.

Play in American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments. Finish in the top ten and you'll get recognition.

[clubchamp]

I played at a D2 college and I never played in any AJGA tourneys but I made it to states 2 years in a row. Almost all of the division 2 state schools would pick up players from the state tourney and I had a T6 finish my senior year. However I was never at a scratch in high school so playing in AJGA will get into the spot light a lot more than relying on local or high school golf.

[Doctorfro]

College golf is available to any player who has talent and is willing to put the time in.  Of course the level of your prep success will lead you to which division you can/will play in.  It looks glamorous but to play on the D-1 level you have got to live and breathe golf year round (and have a certain amount of God given talent). It's a huge commitment and once you get there it doesn't get any easier.  I tell anyone who is considering playing any sport on the D-1 level to really think about the time you have to put in.  You basically have academics and your sport.....nothing else.  For many, they miss out on much of the college experience because of their sport.  I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, I just think young people need to have their eyes wide open before they put that kind of effort into something that may not be all it's cracked up to be.  But for those who want to go in that direction, I wish the best of luck.  Local junior circuits and AJGA success will help you achieve your goal.  You also have to sell yourself to the schools by making contacts.  And keep those grades up!!