First-Ever College Golf Combines

Yesterday may have been a historic day for golf. The first-ever College Golf Combine took place at Tradition National Golf Course in Hardeeville, SC, just outside of Hilton Head Island.

With 100 girl and boy junior golfers participating in the two-day event and 40-plus coaches from Division I, II, III and NAIA scouting potential talent for their programs, the combine represents an additional tool available to both player and coach alike.

Combine organizers developed a series of skills assessments which allowed recruits to hit every shot in their bag under pressure, plus they get out on the course for 18 competitive holes of golf.

As I watched junior players hit bunker shots trying to have them finish within certain distance circles and pitch shots to landing targets on the green, it struck me what a great tool the combine is for players to get a true sense for where their game really is. It exposes the areas they really need to work on if their game's are going to improve.

Most kids, and really all players for that matter, want to practice what they are already good at. If they hit the driver well, then they can't wait to pull that headcover off and pound tee shots to the delight of their friends. Or maybe it's mastery with the flop shot, so again 50 flops later they're still working on a part of their game where they already possess a lot of skill.

Now, through the evaluation that the combine provides, players can really see how they perform and take that understanding to a smarter approach to practice. Parents can encourage their child to work hard at getting those numbers up and they can turn the assessments into new games at their home club. And coaches can look more clearly at areas of attention for their recruits. Pretty cool stuff, no matter how you look at it.

In talking with parents yesterday, what became apparent is the fact that there are a number of talented girls and boys that come from small high school programs. They also don't have the opportunity to compete in many significant junior events. This is a great way for kids that wouldn't normally be seen by coaches to get out in front of them and perform. It also gives parents that might not be so familiar with golf a chance to gain a better perspective on what is really happening in the junior game.

I'm sure several of this year's participants will end up with college scholarships that they wouldn't have received otherwise. That's exciting and potentially life-changing for those involved.

While I don't think the College Golf Combines will replace how coaches have historically gone about their recruiting, I do feel it's a legitimate way to supplement coaches recruiting efforts. As for the junior players, they still need to perform to create interest. Just showing up is not enough.

That's my view on the game.

Mark Gonsalves
CEO
Hank Haney IJGA