walking on to a college golf team?

[Harmonious]

  newtogolf said:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

If he still doesn't even let you try out then you might consider going over his head to the Athletic Director of the school.  If it gets to that point, you better be as good as you claim cause you're only going to get one shot.

You aren't serious, are you?  Going over the coach's head to the athletic director of a Division 1 university because he didn't get invited to try out? This isn't Little League.

[newtogolf]

If the coach isn't even willing to give him a chance to try out the coach doesn't sound very competent.  If he presents letters from H.S. coaches, proof our tournament victory, etc and the coach still won't even let him try out then yes I'd go over his head versus doing nothing and accepting the coaches decision.  Every team allows walk ons to try out, doesn't mean they make it but they are given the opportunity.

Your mentality, where a college coach is considered sacred, is what got Penn State into trouble.

  Harmonious said:

Originally Posted by Harmonious

You aren't serious, are you?  Going over the coach's head to the athletic director of a Division 1 university because he didn't get invited to try out? This isn't Little League.

[David in FL]

  newtogolf said:

If the coach isn't even willing to give him a chance to try out the coach doesn't sound very competent.  If he presents letters from H.S. coaches, proof our tournament victory, etc and the coach still won't even let him try out then yes I'd go over his head versus doing nothing and accepting the coaches decision.  Every team allows walk ons to try out, doesn't mean they make it but they are given the opportunity.  Your mentality, where a college coach is considered sacred, is what got Penn State into trouble.

No athletic director is going to overrule a head coach over something as minor as who is allowed to try out as a walk on candidate. No way....

[LovinItAll]

  newtogolf said:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

If the coach isn't even willing to give him a chance to try out the coach doesn't sound very competent.  If he presents letters from H.S. coaches, proof our tournament victory, etc and the coach still won't even let him try out then yes I'd go over his head versus doing nothing and accepting the coaches decision.  Every team allows walk ons to try out, doesn't mean they make it but they are given the opportunity.

Your mentality, where a college coach is considered sacred, is what got Penn State into trouble.

You have no real basis to say that the coach 'doesn't sound very competent'. We've heard one side of the story. I wish the OP the very best, and I hope he manages to land a spot on the team, but it sounds like the coach told him exactly what to do if he wants to be considered for the team. Now the kid needs to do those things and work on his game.

Unless the young man is a very close relative (as in son/grandson, and that's a stretch), an A.D. isn't going to get involved, especially with the golf team.

[newtogolf]

You're right in that we're only hearing one side of the story.  A coaches job IMO is to field the best team possible regardless of the sport.  The coach therefore should at least take a look at this kid before dismissing him and giving him a list of tasks to complete for him to gain consideration.

What's the harm in letting the kid join in for a round of golf with the team to see how he does?  If I read this correctly, he's asking for a spot on the team, not a scholarship.

  LovinItAll said:

Originally Posted by LovinItAll

You have no real basis to say that the coach 'doesn't sound very competent'. We've heard one side of the story. I wish the OP the very best, and I hope he manages to land a spot on the team, but it sounds like the coach told him exactly what to do if he wants to be considered for the team. Now the kid needs to do those things and work on his game.

Unless the young man is a very close relative (as in son/grandson, and that's a stretch), an A.D. isn't going to get involved, especially with the golf team.

[TourSpoon]

  Harmonious said:

You aren't serious, are you?  Going over the coach's head to the athletic director of a Division 1 university because he didn't get invited to try out? This isn't Little League.

I have to agree with this.

[Harmonious]

  newtogolf said:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

You're right in that we're only hearing one side of the story.  A coaches job IMO is to field the best team possible regardless of the sport.  The coach therefore should at least take a look at this kid before dismissing him and giving him a list of tasks to complete for him to gain consideration.

What's the harm in letting the kid join in for a round of golf with the team to see how he does?  If I read this correctly, he's asking for a spot on the team, not a scholarship.

Are you at all familiar with major college interscholastic athletic programs?  They don't hold open tryouts for anyone who wants to try out.  They recruit top high school and other amateur athletes.  In golf, they follow the major amateur tournaments and high school state tournaments.  They know who has Division 1 game, and who doesn't. Did you read the high school bios of the three freshmen from last year's Purdue team?  State high school tournament winners, nationally ranked junior players, all-state players. The coach reviewed the OP's qualifications and gave him advice as to how to proceed if he continued interest.  He obviously felt the OP couldn't help his program this year. Quite frankly, he can't afford to give up a spot on his golf team for a "potentially" good player when he already has good players.

[LovinItAll]

  Harmonious said:

Are you at all familiar with major college interscholastic athletic programs?  They don't hold open tryouts for anyone who wants to try out.  They recruit top high school and other amateur athletes.  In golf, they follow the major amateur tournaments and high school state tournaments.  They know who has Division 1 game, and who doesn't. Did you read the high school bios of the three freshmen from last year's Purdue team?  State high school tournament winners, nationally ranked junior players, all-state players. The coach reviewed the OP's qualifications and gave him advice as to how to proceed if he continued interest.  He obviously felt the OP couldn't help his program this year. Quite frankly, he can't afford to give up a spot on his golf team for a "potentially" good player when he already has good players.

All of this is 100% true, plus I guarantee you that, based on the OPs post about his previous interaction with the coach, the coach at least knows who the kid in and has determined that the OP is not in a position to help the team at this point. They coach may be trying to motivate the young man, or there may be other issues. Whatever it is, though, no D1 golf program is going to allow whoever wants to go out and play a round with the squad. That's just not how it works.

Just as in the classroom in college, all the 'entitlement' bullshit is over. It's either put up or shut up.

EDIT: I'm not even sure what the OP is asking at this point. The coach told the OP what he needed to do (which events to enter), so that should've been the end of the story. Enter the events, see how he fares...or not. It seems pretty clear.

If the OP isn't satisfied with that, he can pursue a spot at another school.

[BuckeyeNut]

This thread made me think about Spaulding (in the background) ......LOL

.........double farts!

[Golfincollege]

Walking on a college team is really tough unless you are playing pretty good. I would have to agree with all of the other comments saying that if you are a 20 handicap, there is probably no chance of walking on to the team, especially D1. As some of the other folks had mentioned, there are more recreational club teams at colleges these days.

Being a varsity player for 2 years of school and not playing on the varsity for 2 year, I can say college is a lot more fun if you are not playing a collegiate sport. The time and effort of a varsity team is huge. Stick to the club team and get out there to play more and have more fun.

[Unforgiven93]

First, I would like to apologize to the OP for kind of hijacking his thread, sorry.  Haha, I just saw this thread right after I got shot down, so I had to say something.

  Harmonious said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harmonious

He obviously felt he couldn't help his program this year. Quite frankly, he can't afford to give up a spot on his golf team for a "potentially" good player when he already has good players.

Exactly.  He is a big 10 coach, he doesn't have to get someone with potential to be good, he can already get the best.

  Harmonious said:

Originally Posted by Harmonious

To Unforgiven93:  I am assuming you are going to attend Purdue, right?  If so, here are the high school bios of the 3 freshmen from last year's team:

Player 1: "Was named team MVP and led Duluth in scoring in each of his four high school seasons ... Named a Gwinnett County Super Six athlete in 2011 ... Won two SJGT tournaments and finished in the top five in pair of AJGA events ... Eared a final Golfweek junior ranking of No. 44."

Player 2: "A three-time all-state selection in golf and a one-time honoree in tennis ... Owns an Indiana boys junior championship ... Runner-up in both the 2008 and 2009 regional tournaments ... Won sectional golf championships in 2008 and 2011 ... A two-time qualifier for the state high school tournament ... Also won the 2011 regional championship in tennis."

Player 3:  "A two-time all-state selection in golf ... Led Davison to a runner-up finish at the 2011 state tournament ... Set program records for low career average and low tournament score ... Also earned all-state honors and was named area player of the year in football in 2009."

As you can see from the bios above, these are the type of players that receive invites to Division 1 golf teams, and are the level of golfers that the golf coach is looking for. He probably considered your body of work, so to speak, and decided that you did not have enough to offer his program to give you a tryout. Until or unless you can prove your mettle in higher levels of competition, it's doubtful you will get any interest from the big schools.

In short, no one DESERVES a shot to make the team.

Yes, Purdue.

I can say stuff about my high school career like that also, but you're right.  In all honesty I'm probably just completely wrong about how many shots the courses they play would add to my average.  I have to at least be close though.  I can't see averaging over 80 on the hardest courses I've ever played, and their worst player averages ~77.

Beachcomber,

You're right, Purdue is a great education, specifically for engineering.  I don't know if he took the difficulty into consideration or not, but I doubt it.  There is at least one engineer on the team that I know of.  I think what I just said to the last person is the sad truth, I must just not be good enough. There is no way if he thought I could make his team better that he wouldn't even let me try.  I will still keep practicing and play in those tournaments though, just in case.  I would still love to be on the team someday.

[LovinItAll]

  Unforgiven93 said:

Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

First, I would like to apologize to the OP for kind of hijacking his thread, sorry.  Haha, I just saw this thread right after I got shot down, so I had to say something.

Exactly.  He is a big 10 coach, he doesn't have to get someone with potential to be good, he can already get the best.

Yes, Purdue.

I can say stuff about my high school career like that also, but you're right.  In all honesty I'm probably just completely wrong about how many shots the courses they play would add to my average.  I have to at least be close though.  I can't see averaging over 80 on the hardest courses I've ever played, and their worst player averages ~77.

Beachcomber,

You're right, Purdue is a great education, specifically for engineering.  I don't know if he took the difficulty into consideration or not, but I doubt it.  There is at least one engineer on the team that I know of.  I think what I just said to the last person is the sad truth, I must just not be good enough. There is no way if he thought I could make his team better that he wouldn't even let me try.  I will still keep practicing and play in those tournaments though, just in case.  I would still love to be on the team someday.

Just to be clear, I don't think anyone here thinks you can't play. A .2 is a good player. As has been said, since you weren't recruited out of high school by this college, the coach has given you his recommendations for his consideration - play in the events he gave you, and if you don't make it this year, keep grinding away and try to make it next year. I won't go into the gory details, but I was discouraged by my coach from trying to make our highschool baseball team as a sophomore, but I started as a senior and had a great year. Perseverance can pay off.

Their best player averages 77? Wonder what his index is. Anyway, keep at it, and best of luck to you.

[Unforgiven93]

Well I appreciate that, I have no doubt that I could play at some point during my 4 years if I keep practicing, I'm just starting to doubt that I'm good enough right now, because I think being a D1 coach for 30 years would make him a very good judge of who is good enough and who isn't.  And apparently he is pretty confident I'm not good enough

Their WORST player averages 77.  The best is something like 72.8 this year, then the rest are 74-77.

[Valleygolfer]

  Unforgiven93 said:

Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

Well I appreciate that, I have no doubt that I could play at some point during my 4 years if I keep practicing, I'm just starting to doubt that I'm good enough right now, because I think being a D1 coach for 30 years would make him a very good judge of who is good enough and who isn't.  And apparently he is pretty confident I'm not good enough

Their WORST player averages 77.  The best is something like 72.8 this year, then the rest are 74-77.

Even the seasoned observer can be wrong. Take jimbos thread on the 300+ drives A few of the peeps on here dismissed his possibility to do what he stated by viewing his swing. Abide your time and play the tournaments he told you and stay persistent. Give him periodic updates on your improvements to show you are working on it. If he knows your work ethic it might make him more receptive.

[newtogolf]

Haven't been to college for quite some time (1988) but at that time our division 1 basketball, golf and baseball time had open tryouts for walk ons.  I have no idea how many, if any, made the team, but they were given the opportunity to impress the coach and try.  If things have changed today, then I'll stand corrected.

  Harmonious said:

Originally Posted by Harmonious

Are you at all familiar with major college interscholastic athletic programs?  They don't hold open tryouts for anyone who wants to try out.  They recruit top high school and other amateur athletes.  In golf, they follow the major amateur tournaments and high school state tournaments.  They know who has Division 1 game, and who doesn't. Did you read the high school bios of the three freshmen from last year's Purdue team?  State high school tournament winners, nationally ranked junior players, all-state players. The coach reviewed the OP's qualifications and gave him advice as to how to proceed if he continued interest.  He obviously felt the OP couldn't help his program this year. Quite frankly, he can't afford to give up a spot on his golf team for a "potentially" good player when he already has good players.

[Unforgiven93]

  Valleygolfer said:

Originally Posted by Valleygolfer

Even the seasoned observer can be wrong. Take jimbos thread on the 300+ drives A few of the peeps on here dismissed his possibility to do what he stated by viewing his swing. Abide your time and play the tournaments he told you and stay persistent. Give him periodic updates on your improvements to show you are working on it. If he knows your work ethic it might make him more receptive.

Will do.  Hopefully it works out in the end.  I just wish I was better.   I don't see any reason why I can't play with the best, other than I don't have the practice that they have.  I am so competitive, I hate it when anyone is better than me at anything... I need to let that drive me.

[daSeth]

I am going to speak from the heart here a bit...

It was my dream to play a D1 volleyball, ever since I was 14.  It consumed me.  In my freshman year in college, I failed walking on at a really good D1 school.  I really wasn't close both the physical sense and in terms of skills.  I worked really hard the remainder of my freshmen year.  The coach was pretty cool and let me spend as much time as I could playing with the red-shirts he was ignoring.  Sometimes the alumni would come out and play with the red shirts.  I ran across some pretty good players.  I also found other games wherever I could.  My sophomore year, I transferred to a JC and had really a pretty good year.  I got a lot better.  So much better that I got invited to walk on to a D1 team.  The program at the second school was not considered very good at the time.  My chances were decent not only at making the team but getting some playing time.  Unfortunately, I ran into some physical problems (I only really understood them 15 years later...).  I wasn't getting it done, and they cut me after four months in the program, the final round of cuts.  I was absolutely gutted.  I pretty much checked out of life.  It took me almost a year to get going again.  It was as if who I was, was suddenly gone, an identity crisis of personal proportions.  Toughest time of my life.  Without the support of family and friends, I can't tell you where I would be today.

I don't know anyone who wanted it more.  I worked harder than 98% of the guys in D1 programs.  Maybe, I could have worked smarter.  But honestly, I just did not have the combination of physical ability and skill to make it.  But (and huge but) I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did everything that I could and that I gave it my all.  I don't have any Uncle Rico moments... ha, ha!

Based on my experience, I'd advise you to stay in the D1 program you are already in.  I gave a lot to be where you are right now only to fail.  There is a notion that the grass is greener on the other side.  I'd advise you to be content where you are, get a great education, and set a foundation where you can afford to play golf for the rest of your working life.

If you do decide to go for it...

Worst case scenario, you'll get a lot better at a game you can enjoy for a really long time.  It certainly sounds like you have the physical ability.  It just seems to me though that you need more time.  Golf is a game of moderate physical ability and a ridiculous, ridiculous, amount of skill.  Frankly, it takes a lot of time to develop those skills, more time, I think, than you have to jump into the D1 level next year.  If it is your dream and it's what you really want, I'd advise to take a year off of school, consider it a red-shirt.  Put in eight to ten hours a day, every day.  Get a good swing coach and a membership at a club. Work on your swing until you are hitting fairways and greens, consistently, round after round after round .  Work on the short game so you can recover when you don't hit greens.  Play in as many tournaments as you can to get playing experience.  Get into a JC program the following year, see what you can get going.  Take it from there.

I will relate one example (hopefully this will give you some hope).  When I was at the JC, there was a dude (great guy, BTW), basketball player, that had played only two years of volleyball at a  high school not known for volleyball.  At tryouts, he was pretty bad.  It was obvious that he hadn't played much.  I didn't think the coaches would keep him.  Here is the kicker, physically, he was a monster, 6-6/6-7, jumped out of the gym, could dunk a basketball pretty much however he wanted, etc...  I am guessing he could touch north of 11'8", probably more like 12' later on.  The coaches kept him on the team as a red shirt and paid very little attention to him.  That got to him.  He spent the summer and fall doing nothing but playing, playing, playing, training, training, training.  By the spring of his sophomore (red-shirt freshmen) year he dominated California JC volleyball.  Hands down, the best player.  He followed up the next year with much more of the same, went on the play D1 and earned all-American honors.  He even had a stint playing professionally in Europe.

Granted, golf is a different game.  The physical advantage that my buddy had in volleyball doesn't apply hardly at all in golf.  But, you will never know unless you try.  The great thing about life is that you write the script.  If it is truly your dream, go for it.  Just have the sense to come up with a realistic strategy to get there and be honest with yourself and where you are right now, and how quickly you can get to where you want to be.  Use your eligibility wisely.  Get as much support from family as you can.  If you have the talent and you are willing to work, you never know.  Work hard, but first and foremost work smart .  Time is your biggest enemy, you don't have any to waste.

[Fore Left]

  x129 said:

Originally Posted by x129

He either has to decide he is going to spend 4+ hours a day every day for the next year or he has to decide not to.

You're talking about the person who started this thread,  as a 20+ HC?   He'd have to do a lot more than that.....   The kid from Purdue would need to put 4+ hours in a day for the next year just to try to walk-on as a sophomore,  and he's already scratch!

  Unforgiven93 said:

Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

The problem with the tour I played on was that they only do one day events.  I did play in several other tournaments that are two day events, like the Indiana Section Junior PGA etc, and still did well. In his email he told me to play in the State Am, State Open, US Am qualifier, US Open Qualifier, or the US Public Links Qualifier.  Apparently the tour I played on wasn't very well respected to him.

Perhaps he's trying to keep you interested,  and at the same time encourage you to post scores in larger tournaments on courses he's more familiar with etc....     Either way,  I don't think it sounds like him closing the door on you,  it sounds like he's leading you down a path....

Besides,  as a .2 or whatever you are now...  getting shot down by a collegiate golf coach would cause you to "give up" on it?  What does that mean?   Why wouldn't you want to continue to work on your game regardless of any potential D1 future play?        Also,  you might practice and work year-over-year and maybe walk on in your final year....  you just never know,  it depends on how hard you work.   You seem convinced that you'll be "one of the best on the team"  by your senior year....  but going from 0 to +2 for instance,  is a huge leap....  it's not like going from an 8 to a 6....   Confidence is good,  but you can't see the future,  and neither can the coach,  and his job depends on him making calculated decisions.

  Unforgiven93 said:

Originally Posted by Unforgiven93

I just wish I was better.

We all do!    And I would venture to say that the vast majority wish they were AS good as you are right now!