8 replies to this topic

[meeks7]

Coming out of high school I had offers to play at a few D1 schools and smaller schools but got burnt out on playing and wanted a break.  I have kept playing for fun and still have a 2 handicap.  I went to the coach of the school I am attending and ask if there would be walk on try outs and he ask me where I was from, Im from a different state than the school, and he said no I don't like out of state players...if you can qualify for the US Open or another BIG tournament like that then we can talk.  I had missed moving on in US Open qualifying by 2 shots and was only able to play little local tournaments due to having to work all summer.  

I was wondering if anyone would know if there is a way to play in a college tournament as an individual without a team.  I am wanting to show I can play so I can go somewhere and play next year.  

Thanks

[mnplayer]

Well if you get dismissed because you're out of state then quite frankly I wouldn't really want to play for that coach. And I don't believe you can play in any college events without being on a team.

[GatorNate11]

I would first ask your school's AD about the policy if you really want to play for that team. You may still get no, sorry. But you also may get an AD to change a coach's mind, you never know. However, if you're not all that about playing for this school (and I wouldn't be with the way the guy acted) I would check into a transfer.

[Llortamaisey]

Some coaches like local players because it helps get booster money. There's nothing wrong with that.

If you want to play on the team, try to qualify for a nationwide tournament or another mini-tour with a strong field. There are plenty of those tournaments around and you can play as an amateur.

If you can beat guys who play for a living, you should be able to beat kids fresh out of their parents country club playing on a collegiate team.

[TigerStrong]

Can you best the players on the college team?  Honest answer please.

[Thrillhouse]

I can shed a little light on this for you meeks. First of all judging by the response this coach is at a D1 school and probably a pretty competitive one correct? Years ago the big programs like Texas or Arizona State had walk on tournaments, 150 kids who were enrolled at the school who played on their high school team would show up and shoot 82-79 and the whole thing was just a giant waste of time, hardly ever did someone make a team from one of these qualifiers, and it usually left a pretty poor taste in the mouths of a handful of kids who shot 73-73 and figured that should get them a walk on spot. Because coaches were not getting players out of this and it was causing other problems they got rid of it and being a "walk on" player took on a new meaning. All the bigger programs have walk on kids hanging around. How it works these days is that these kids were noticed by the coach and he thought that they may become decent players but they were not good enough coming out of high school to be offered a scholarship. Sometimes they wind up making travel teams and play their way into scholarships, and sometimes they hang around the team for four years and never get good enough to play in anything other than their home schools tournament as an individual once a year. The point is that these kids are noticed by the coaches and the coaches want them on the team. The reason why your coach told you what he did is because he has a group of kids he likes and he doesnt have room for another hopeful hanging around, especially a hopeful that he doesnt know and for all he knows could be a not so great kid who will be bad for the team dynamic (just an example). The US open or US amateur line is one that they all give because if a kid is good enough to be competitive at that level then he can help any team.

You cannot play in a college tournament if you are not on a team, thats just how it works. What you can do if you want to go somewhere else and play is contact the coaches who recruited you, tell them you needed a break from golf for a while but you want to get back into it and you are looking for an opportunity. You probably wont be able to get a scholarship (i would almost guarantee they wont give you one right away because they will be concerned that you might get back into it briefly and decide that you made the wrong decision and dont want to be on the team). it is not at all unlikely that one of them will be more than happy to take a flier on you. Other than that play in the amateur events you can in the summer and keep at it.

[meeks7]

Thanks for the response guys, To TigerStrong yes I can.  I work for the athletic department and my boss took my out one day to play knowing the team would be out there playing and we walked the course just like they did and played two groups behind them.  He is friends with the volunteer assist. and ask what the scores were and I would have been 3rd on the team.  And yes this is a D1 school but they aren't really a top school we are a Mid Major school.  They haven't went or sent anyone into the post season in I think 6 years.  Did get some light today though the coach announced he will be retiring at the end of the year.  Hoping the new coach will have try outs.  Thanks again for the responses guys I will have to post what ends up happening may just transfer and show I can play.

[TigerStrong]

Just show up at practice everyday...Rudy Rudy Rudy Rudy

Hope it works out for you next season. Play good this summer and it can all workout for you.

Edited by TigerStrong, 26 December 2011 - 10:58 PM.

[Br1an02;]

You said your school has a volunteer assistant? Do you know exactly what he does?