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The post Golf Recruiting Center Members appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

The college recruiting process can be quite intimidating for most high school athletes and their parents. There are many reasons why certain players get recruited to play college athletics, while others do not. Every year, hundreds of high school athletes fall through the cracks of college recruiting simply because they do not fully understand the college recruiting process.

In addition, most high school counselors do not possess the knowledge or experience in intercollegiate athletics to properly advise student-athletes on how to achieve their dream of receiving an athletic scholarship to play at the college level. There are a limited number of high schools that have an appropriate program to successfully prepare student-athletes for the college recruiting process.

Our research has shown that:

• 80% of college student-athletes attend schools outside of the NCAA Division I. This means that there are over 1,600 schools that offer athletic scholarships!
• The average college team’s recruiting budget is $500. With such limited funds available, it is impossible for coaches to see all potential high school athletes that could be recruited for their programs. That is why a proactive approach is required to be seen by college coaches.

For these reasons I developed this step-by-step guide, which contains an easy 10-step process to make it as simple as possible for you to obtain the college scholarship of your dreams and to GET RECRUITED NOW!

Golf Recruiting Guide Download PDF

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Choosing where to go to college is one of the most important decisions of your life.  Hopefully you have an idea of where you want to be the next four years and where you are a good fit, not just athletically, but academically and socially.  At this point in the semester you are probably waiting to hear back from admissions at the schools you applied to, but it never hurts to continue researching your options in case you need a backup plan.

First, remember that the admissions process can take a long time.  So do not panic if you are still waiting for an answer.  It is not the end of the world if you do not get accepted at your top school.  There are many great universities out there that will provide a quality education and a chance at earning a scholarship.

Go outside your comfort zone if you have to and expand your search.  It may be a scary thought to imagine going to school a thousand miles from home but it could also be a great experience.  Limiting your search area will limit your chances of finding the school that fits you best.

Keep studying and working on your grades.  If you can still retake tests to try for higher scores, you should take advantage of those opportunities.  Check the deadlines for submitting applications and taking or retaking the SAT.  If you really want to get ahead, start looking at potential majors or classes you want to take in the fall.

Go above and beyond with extracurricular activities.  Admissions staff are impressed with individuals who are able to maintain good grades but are also involved in other activities such as student government, volunteerism, community service, and of course athletics.

Most of all stay positive and enjoy your graduation and summer activities.  Relax knowing that your hard work as a student and a teammate over the past few years is going to pay off.  These are exciting times in your life.  Graduation is referred to as commencement because it is not an ending, but the beginning of the next chapter.

The post Finding the Right College appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

One of the more unique aspects about the game of golf is the importance of etiquette. Golf is a distinguished game, and players should treat it that way by learning its intricacies. Junior golfers can learn at an early age so that it becomes habit before playing in college or on the tour. For the casual player, such as myself, knowing golf etiquette shows a respect for the game when you play among more talented players. In other words, if you whiff on a drive but resist the urge to scream and throw your driver in a lake, no one will laugh at you and will appreciate that you didn’t lose your temper.

There are hundreds of examples of good golf etiquette that you can learn through reading or just by watching and listening to your golf coaches and teammates. Here is a top ten list to get started on mastering your sportsmanship, in no particular order:

1. Arrive early and prepared for your tee time.
2. Be aware of your pace and avoid slow play.
3. Manage your temper and keep your cool after bad shots.
4. Fix or repair your divots, ball marks, and bunker footprints
5. Never hit when a player in front of you is within range.
6. Do not step on a fellow players putting line.
7. Stay quiet while other players are hitting.
8. Know when it is your turn to hit.
9. Wear proper golf course attire.
10. Pay attention to the rules.

This may be kid stuff for most golfers but you can still set an example for junior golfers who are just getting started by teaching them these basic points of etiquette.

The post Golf Etiquette 101 appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

One of the best ways to obtain an athletic scholarship is to get noticed. This can be a challenge when one considers the vast number of junior golfers pursuing this exact goal. There are ways to stand out though, and ways to maximize your exposure to college coaches. Promoting yourself is something you can do on your own, and a great way to get noticed.

First and foremost, practice your game. Make sure you are building your work ethic each day and improving your game both mentally and physically.A great way to practice is to compete as much as you can. You can compete on the junior tour and in invitational tournaments with the goal of earning a ranking and building your golf resume. College coaches view these rankings during the recruiting process.

While you keep track of your tournament finishes and rankings, record a recruiting video to send out to college coaches. Coaches receive a lot of contacts and requests from recruits so make sure you are sending your information to colleges that you have a strong interest in attending and that you feel are a good athletic, academic, and social fit. Once you are comfortable with your top college choices, you can really begin to focus on capturing the attention of those coaches. Schedule campus visits and keep in touch with the coaches who have made contact.

Last but not least, sell yourself. In addition to marketing your skills on the course, highlight other attributes about yourself such as confidence or ability to focus under pressure. If those aren’t your best traits then highlight something else about your character. Maybe it’s your leadership skills or work ethic that set you apart from others. Identify your strengths and use them to sell yourself as a top recruit!

The post Maximizing Your Exposure to College Coaches appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

The holidays have long passed and it’s already almost time for midterms. It probably feels like you just had a final. I know the feeling. It has been years since I had a midterm or final exam to worry about, but sometimes it feels like it was last week. My life revolves around the academic calendar, and if you are a student-athlete, you know all too well how difficult it is to balance the academic calendar with athletics. Everything gets busy right before the winter break then all of sudden, the semester is over. It is easy to become lazy over the break and also difficult to stay on a proper workout schedule, especially if you are away from your team or coaches. Returning to school and finishing the year with a strong spring semester might require you to refocus mentally and physically.

Spring semester is the perfect time to build positive momentum for the upcoming year, and of course, follow through on your new year’s resolutions and goals. Consider where you want to be this summer or at this time next year and figure out how to make progress towards that goal each week or even each day. If you are a senior in high school, fill out your FAFSA on time, register and take the SAT, and contact coaches and schools you are interested in attending. These tasks, among many others, will be part of your recruiting process anyway so you might as well make them a priority. If you are a freshman in college, be proactive and check your GPA and progress towards degree with your advisor. If you haven’t already chosen a major, take the steps to zero in on what you want to study.

You will start to see how important time management is for a student-athlete. Arriving early allows you to rest and prepare mentally before class, practice, or competition. If there is absolutely no way you can arrive early, set aside some time at another point in your day to get organized, gather your thoughts, or maybe just meditate. That way even when you are rushed, you will always be ready.

Remember to give yourself some credit for making it to the spring semester. Some students do not return to school after their first semester, which could be due to a number of reasons, but poor academics or misconduct issues are often the case for non-retention. So there is reason to be positive and optimistic for the spring semester, even if it is still brutally cold outside. You made it through your first semester of college!

The post Spring Mid-Semester Reminders appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

• SAF has partnered with junior golf organizations to offer exposure opportunities that are cost effective. Most junior golfers do not receive the proper exposure to get recruited for college golf because of the lack of financial recruiting resources and small institutions.
• College Coaches are in attendance to evaluate junior golfers during the “combine” portion in full swing, short game and putting. The second part of the showcase is tournament play, which offers the players an opportunity to gain valuable tournament experience, while college coaches observe them under pressure situations.

Past Events:

2012 Winter Golf Showcase – 60 junior golfers in attendance

2013 Summer Golf Showcase – 6 College Coaches in Attendance

2013 “A Day with the PGA Tour Pro’s – PGA Tour Winner Charlie Beljan was generous to donate 30 tickets to junior golfers and their parents to experience the PGA Tour Shell Houston Open.

2014 Winter Golf Showcase – 12 College Coaches in Attendance

2015 College Golf Day – South Texas Junior Golfers had opportunity to attend seminar with NCAA College Golf Coaches, which provided educational information regarding student athlete education expectations, player development and college golf recruiting process. The final portion of College Golf Day was spent at the University of Houston Practice Center, with UH Director of Golf Jonathan Dismuke performing a Trackman demonstration for all players in attendance

The post SAF Junior Golf Events appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

It is easy to get overwhelmed when preparing for college, especially if you are a student-athlete trying to earn an athletic scholarship. The transition can be difficult, confusing, and stressful. Below are some helpful words of advice to help you navigate the process.

1. Do your research. The information is out there, you just have to find it. This will help you trim your list of colleges down to just a couple, making your final decision less difficult.
2. Involve your family, teachers, or counselors. Ask those around you that have your best interests at heart for help or advice. It never hurts to have extra resources.
3. Develop a routine. This is especially critical for student-athletes because once in college, your life will become a routine of training, studying, going to class, practice and competition. It is better to get into that mindset now, rather than going into your freshman year unprepared.
4. Stay on schedule. Give yourself adequate time to prepare for everything. Remember important dates for applications, tests, or official visits and arrange these on your schedule in the most manageable way possible.
5. Relax and enjoy it. Don’t lose sight of the big picture. After all, you are deciding where you want to spend the next four or five years of your life. You should be able to enjoy this experience while being focused at the same time.

If you follow these steps you will find yourself in a desirable position going into college. As a student-athlete, you will also have to continue training and competing while you prepare for college. Your work ethic and dedication have to be above the norm. There will be times when you question yourself but remember that the extra hard work is what earns you the scholarship!

The post College Golf Prep 101 appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

The Student Athlete Foundation has set new and exciting goals for the 2016 year!

One of the main initiatives is to expand our reach to support junior golf in the state of Oklahoma. Mark Berkowick is donating his time to help raise funds to financial assist junior golfers that are going to be playing college golf.

Brown O’Haver, Adjusters for the Insured has helped The Student Athlete Foundation get our feet off the ground in the great state of Oklahoma! Thanks to Mr. John Whitson and Mark Berkowick, SAF has now started a scholarship fund for a local Oklahoma junior golfer with the passion and desire to play college golf.

Please support this local Moore business if you ever need their assistance!

Thanks Brown O’Haver, Adjusters for the Insured!

The post Oklahoma Junior Golf Sponsorships appeared first on JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

• The NCAA is made up of over 1,200 colleges and universities, with 126,000 student-athletes receiving scholarship money each year.
• NCAA colleges and universities offer over $1 billion in scholarships each year.
• Schools that fall within Divisions I and II offer both full and partial athletic scholarships, depending on the sport. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships and tend to be the more selective academic institutions.
• Full scholarships (full-rides) are offered for football and both men’s and women’s basketball.
• Partial scholarships are provided for other sports, which are considered “head count” sports. For example, a men’s golf team may have the equivalent of 4.5 scholarships to divide amongst all the players on the team. The head coach has the authority to divide these as he sees fit, providing either full or partial scholarships.

NCAA Division 1 main points:

• 5 scholarships per men’s golf team each academic year
• Players that land on a NCAA D-1 golf roster, tend to be the best players in their region or states
• Example schools:
  • Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Florida, Georgia Tech, Houston Baptist

NCAA Division 2 main points:

• 5 scholarships per men’s golf team each academic year
• Some D-2 programs are not fully funded, which leads to less scholarships for the team
• D-2 players are typically the top players on their respective high school golf teams
• Example schools:
  • Edwards University, Chico St. University (CA), Midwestern St.

NCAA Division 3 main points:

• Do not offer athletic scholarships
• Average to above average high school golfer
• Tend to be smaller, private schools
• Example schools:
  • Trinity College, Texas Lutheran University, UT Dallas

National Associate of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

• The NAIA includes approximately 300 member institutions, with 90% of those offering athletic scholarships, with the average amount being approximately $7,000 per year.
• The NAIA has two divisions, with the top level talent comparable to the NCAA Division II.
• The recruiting rules are not as strict as in the NCAA. For example coaches can start contacting student-athletes in the 9^th
• Academic requirements for NAIA schools also tend to be more lenient than for NCAA schools. High School students must have 2 out of 3 of the following:

1. Minimum scores of 18 on the ACT, or 860 on the SAT (math and   reading)
2. Top 50% of class ranking
3. GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (determined by HS)

• While official recruiting trips are limited to five in NCAA, there is no such restriction in the NAIA.
• Finally, “amateur” rules do not apply, as the NAIA allows you to have received a minimal amount of compensation in your athletic career, whereas NCAA is much stricter.

NAIA main points:

• Top NAIA golf programs can rival the best in NCAA D-1 because the academic requirements are lower at the NAIA level to be eligible
• Great option for foreign players
• Roughly 300 schools
• Example Schools:
  • Texas Wesleyan University
  • Our Lady of the Lake University
  • Thomas University

For further information on the NCAA and NAIA, you may reference the following websites:

http://www.sportsatcollege.com/index.php/2010/12/17/difference-between-ncaa-and-naia/

http://exactsports.com/blog/ncaa-and-naia-scholarships-know-the-difference/2011/02/05/

2.2. The Impact of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Title IX of the federal government’s Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits gender discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance (reference: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=93).

Title IX essentially requires an equal number of athletic scholarships be offered to both men and women athletes. The impact has been an obvious increase in athletic scholarships for women, while creating an “imbalance” in scholarships for men’s sports.

Because on the men’s side, football receives 85 full scholarships and there are no women’s football teams, other women’s sports need to be credited with 85 scholarships to be fair. This has the effect of reducing scholarships available or other men’s sports, with the exception of men’s basketball. For example, a men’s baseball team is able to only give 11.7 scholarships per year, while they have a roster of 35 players on average, compared to a women’s softball team that is able to offer 12 scholarships for typically 17 players.

However, it is interesting to note that after passage of Title IX, graduation rates for women increased with more receiving bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in 2008 than any previous year.

2.3. Junior College, Home-Schooled, and International Student Athletes

• Junior College Student-Athletes – If your dream is to play at an NCAA Division I school, but you do not yet possess the physical tools, you should consider spending a couple years at a junior college. It is much easier to transfer from a 2-year school than from a 4-year school. For example, you do not need a written release from your junior college to transfer, while transferring from one 4-year NCAA or NAIA school requires such a release. Also, in some instances, junior college teams are more competitive than some NCAA and NAIA teams.

Information for Junior College transfers is contained in Appendix 3, as well as the following website: (http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2009/07/28/junior-college-transfer-rules/)

• Home-Schooled Student-Athletes – Since opening GPG, we have consulted with numerous parents who think that their child has no chance to play at the college level because he or she did not attend a traditional high school. However, there are clubs and organizations that field teams of only home-schooled high school student-athletes. Sometimes these even compete against local high schools. The point is that by competing with these clubs or organizations, a home-schooled athlete can also develop the talent and credentials to compete at the college level.

The main thing that you have to be weary of as a home scholar is the accreditation of your home school courses. Please refer to the following website to make sure you are on the right academic course in your home-school practices:

http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/pdf/Home_School_Information.pdf

• International Student-Athletes – The biggest thing that holds international recruits back from playing at the top NCAA level is a prior professional athletic career. Most young individuals growing up overseas receive compensation for their athletic abilities, which, in turn negates their amateur status.

However, as noted above, since the NAIA is more lenient on amateurism rules than the NCAA, many talented foreign athletes have the potential to continue on their athletic careers at an NAIA school. Please refer to the following website for more information: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/02e806804e0b8acd9d08fd1ad6fc8b25/International_Student_FAQ.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&WO GOLFHEID=02e806804e0b8acd9d08fd1ad6fc8b25

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