College

[Scott0305]

My name is Scott. I'm about a 2 handicap and play as often as I can. I say that because I've been in the airforce for 4 years since I graduated highschool and have 2 years left on my enlistment. I plan to get out after that and go to school using my GI Bill. I've been looking into play college golf but there's not a lot of information about people in my situation. Basically I've gathered this: I'm eligible to play, I don't really need a scholarship(GI Bill for that) but that I don't have any kind of resume for my playing ability. I've worked hard at my game to get to a 2 handicap, and I think I can play with anyone competitively, and if I had access and the time that some kids have I know I would improve greatly. I guess my question is how do I get noticed and would any schools actually want me on their team. Any advice or info is welcome. Thanks,Scott 

[SavvySwede]

Pick your school based on what you need academically. If you're good enough for the team at that school then so be it.

[iacas]

2 hours ago, SavvySwede said:

Pick your school based on what you need academically. If you're good enough for the team at that school then so be it.

Seconded.

[gregsandiego]

2 hours ago, SavvySwede said:

Pick your school based on what you need academically. If you're good enough for the team at that school then so be it.

Disagree. 

There must be hundreds of choices for any given degree. If you enjoy golf and find a school that's a good fit for both your academic and golf goals - target that one. I don't see why academic comes first. It's a tie.

 

[SavvySwede]

Just now, gregsandiego said:

Disagree. 

There must be hundreds of choices for any given degree. If you enjoy golf and find a school that's a good fit for both your academic and golf goals - target that one. I don't see why academic comes first. It's a tie.

 

Because that's the main point of going to college?

[iacas]

College is about education. Not golf.

A 2 with no prior history is not going to a top tier D1 school.

[gregsandiego]

Just now, SavvySwede said:

Because that's the main point of going to college?

Agreed. It's just that you can satisfy both. 

Let's say you want an engineering degree. How many colleges you think can supply that? Just here in CA  a dozen? UCLA, USC, CalPoly,  all the other UC's, SDSU, etc.

Pick one with the best opportunity for golf.

 

 

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

College is about education. Not golf.

A 2 with no prior history is not going to a top tier D1 school.

Not with that attitude! LOL

 

[Scott0305]

My needs academically are fairly flexible.  I'm a good golfer and I'd like the chance to compete. I'm going to do play, I know that. I'm just looking for information about what kinds of tournaments I can play now to get the attention of coaches around the country

[iacas]

4 minutes ago, Scott0305 said:

My needs academically are fairly flexible.  I'm a good golfer and I'd like the chance to compete. I'm going to do play, I know that. I'm just looking for information about what kinds of tournaments I can play now to get the attention of coaches around the country

There are not really many. You're too old for the AJGA.

[Tod]

Use the College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/ ) that was released last September as part of your search strategy. Also use tools like Payscale.com, Money Magazine's college rankings, and Washington Monthly's college rankings (friends of mine are closely involved in the last two). Also, many states have higher education agencies with websites dedicated to data on colleges and outcomes.

The VA also has a site for veteran-friendly college searches.

As others have said, find a college where you can get the major you want and play golf. Understand that as an older, more experienced student, some colleges might be too traditional to fit in. The again, you might find such places to be excellent opportunities for leadership. 

What you want most is a college with the major you want where the graduates get jobs, preferably decently paying jobs, and you can graduate on time - within four years.

[Scott0305]

I'll have my AA by the time my enlistment is done. I'm young I'm single and I'm not worried about fitting in a college environment. All of those concerns I'd have to deal with at any college regardless if I played golf. Also my major is business so if a school doesn't offer that it's probably not a real school. I want to play golf. I've worked hard to get my game where it is. I think I've earned the right to try. I'm just trying to figure out which avenues I take to get broaden my options when it comes time to pick a school

[Tod]

There is no right to try, only opportunities that you can create for yourself. Be aware that transferring in with an AA may present other challenges and you may still have more than two years of work to do. All that said, starting the process now is what you need to do. Identify a handful schools and make some contacts with the coaches...no reason to wait on that.

[Scott0305]

Thank you

[Gunther]

5 minutes ago, Tod said:

There is no right to try, only opportunities that you can create for yourself. Be aware that transferring in with an AA may present other challenges and you may still have more than two years of work to do. All that said, starting the process now is what you need to do. Identify a handful schools and make some contacts with the coaches...no reason to wait on that.

This.  Listen, you've already accomplished a ton with your 4 years of service and 2 more years ahead of you.  Keep pressing your golf.  

Tons of recruitment websites out there where you can post vids and results.  I've found that it's important to actually reach out to coaches yourself, via email (gotta include video tho).  It's not easy as a 2 but I have no doubt you will make a college team.  It's really about volume, the more coaches you contact, the better the odds.