USA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE

ADVICE FROM A MAN WHO KNOWS THE INS AND OUTS OF STUDENT GOLF

WHY STUDENT-ATHLETES IN UK
ARE LOSING OUT IN USA COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RACE

By GAVIN DEAR

gavin@golfscholars

There are two types of student-university commitment allowed by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association): GAVIN DEAR

1) This is a written commitment sometimes called the NLI (National Letter of Intent) which is a contract stating that the student will attend a specific university. This commitment can only be made between specific dates and within a year of starting university.

2) This is a ‘verbal’ commitment which is unofficial but rarely broken. The ‘verbal’ commitment can be given by a potential student-athlete to a coach at any time. Within golf it is known that verbal commitments are being given by 14 and 15 year olds.

This method of recruiting is a risk for the coaches yet many will opt to try and attract the best 14/15 year olds, hoping that they continue their development into the best 17/18 year olds.

In the ultra competitive world of college golf, coaches have to take risks to recruit the best talent.

Why do international golfers lose out?

American high school students are conditioned to think about their college education from a young age.

In contrast, most international students don’t consider further education until they are 17 which by this time a large number of scholarships have gone.

American students have more knowledge of the recruiting process and a greater understanding of the need to be proactive and contact coaches.

It should be noted that college coaches are unlikely to take a ‘risk’ by entering into a ‘verbal’ commitment with very young international golfers as they simply will not know enough about them. However, coaches will track these players and contact them at 16 and 17.

How can international players reverse the trend?

The recruitment process will involve both the young golfer and his or her parents. They need to understand the recruiting process and access information/advice which will improve this understanding.

There is a lot of basic important information that must be acquired for example: the requirement to make sure the young golfer takes the correct subjects in high school to guarantee NCAA eligibility.

There is also a need to be proactive regarding contacting coaches and building relationships. This shows your child is interested in playing college golf and also the coach’s program.

The NCAA rules stipulate that a coach can not initiate contact with young high school students. However, they can reply to contact.

Many families do not know this and therefore wait for coaches to contact them instead of being proactive.

Cost is always a factor and the recruiting process will cost money and time for example there are academic tests and eligibility centre fees.

It is important to understand that starting early gives the young golfer the best opportunity to gain the best scholarship or at least an informed choice about further education options.

Golf Scholars (www.golfscholars.com) provides a platform which helps guide the young golfer through the recruiting process.

The website provides members with a personalised profile, library of information, university search and compare facility, a secure messaging system, a golf statistics program and full email support all for £95.

POSTSCRIPT FROM GAVIN DEAR

Liam Barn and I have been delighted by the response that Golf Scholars has received, especially from our members who are enjoying using the website.

For all young golfers and parents who are interested in learning more about Golf Scholars, if you email me at gavin@golfscholars I would happy to discuss how Golf Scholars works.

This is very short notice but I have been contacted by a DivIsion 1 Girls' Coach who has a scholarship for another girl starting in September. At this late stage the girl would have to have a SAT test. If anyone is interested please contact me at gavin@golfscholars.com.