December 2011
36 posts
Follow Up to Previous Rules Question........
This question was asked me a little while ago and I said I would get with Compliance and get back on it:
Hi coach, Im from Latin America, I am 16 years old and already graduated from high school. How much time can I take off until I go to college?
Here is the answer I recieved from our Compliance Department:
the delayed graduation rule is triggered by actual graduation or the date his class...
1 tag
thnaks for the family adventure blog - quite a...
It’s a big world, despite what Walt Disney says. So much to see and do. Need more time and money! Thanks for the comment. Spending 17 straight days as a family was priceless and I’d recommend Thailand to anyone.
Ask me anything
1 tag
How much leeway is given to a foreign recruit when...
I think coaches would definitely consider all those things when watching people play in new areas and conditions. Coaches are not only watching for good scores, but for people they think will shoot a lot of scores in the future. I always remind myself and my assistant coaches that we must always try to see recruits through our “two-years-from-now-glasses.” This is not easy, but that...
1 tag
I did not see any posts on the family adventure -...
I didn’t post much anywhere on the family adventure, but if you are really interested here is the trip blog: www.thurmondthailand.wordpress.com. I still have one wrap up post that isn’t up. It was an amazing trip for the family.
Ask me anything
1 tag
You have mentioned quite a few times you like to...
I think most of the coaches of the top programs will always watch players before they offer any sort of scholarship. I just can’t imagine anyone having a successful program if they are willing to offer scholarships without seeing someone play. Maybe in a rare case with a recruit that is overseas a player may get an offer without being seen.
I’m answering from my program’s...
1 tag
Any question that a recruit asked you that really...
I wish I had a great answer to this, but I just don’t. I don’t remember any great question that stood out. Mostly I just remember how I felt with certain recruits.
Ask me anything
1 tag
If you are to start recruting a player, do they...
No. Once I’ve been recruiting them I try to make sure to remind them to register.
Ask me anything
1 tag
Do you use polo rankings a lot?
No. I don’t really use any rankings very much.
Ask me anything
1 tag
The post "I'm a 2012 that started looking for a...
Great point. There are still many opportunities out there for a 2012. Thanks!
Ask me anything
1 tag
How much power do you have with regards to...
Every school is different. Most coaches have a little bit of leeway with admissions. Outstanding ability in a sport is seen as an asset to a university so they often allow a little flexibility in Admissions for someone who is close to meeting admissions requirements and brings other exceptional talents (not only sports).
The specifics of that depends on the school. Usually there is a baseline...
1 tag
Merry Christmas coach!
Thanks! Merry Christmas to all. Special day.
Ask me anything
1 tag
I'm a 2012 that started looking for a school...
Not really. If you are not in high school or another college you will be off the radar and will need to work very hard to make coaches aware of you. I’d consider going to a junior college and transferring after two years of success there.
Ask me anything
1 tag
Is your 2013 recruiting class finalized?
No.
Ask me anything
1 tag
I am a 2012 who has committed to play for a decent...
It’s actually hard to take this one seriously. Knowing what I know about salaries of golf coaches I just can’t imagine anyone having “a rather sizeable amount of cash” to give even if they were willing to cheat.
If this indeed happened you should clean it up immediately. These things usually end up being found out and resulting in shame for everyone that no amount of...
1 tag
Coach, what would you tell a 2013 recruit who...
Play in any big events you can. More important than playing in the events is to excel in them.
There is still plenty of time for a 2013 to “pop.” Just play well and things will take care of themselves.
One of the great things about golf is that you have lots of time. Don’t put all of your focus on that scholarship or roster spot on a college team. Focus on being a great...
1 tag
With a great player like Chris Williams how do you...
I don’t really worry much about that. We’ve never had anyone leave early to turn pro. It could happen at some point, but there is a great tradition here of completing four years of eligibility and graduating. All I plan to do is my very best to make their experience here so awesome that they don’t want to leave any earlier than they have to.
Ask me anything
1 tag
As a 2013 recruit, I feel like the sooner I make a...
I think either the NCAA needs to pass some legislation to prohibit early recruiting and commitments, or it just needs to be a losing strategy (market-driven change).
All coaches are extremely competitive. If they can become more successful by securing early commitments, they will do it—if it is within the rules. However, in theory it is easy to get burned with early commitments. A lot...
1 tag
Is it possible for an International Player to...
It is possible. This often happens with Australians and South Africans who are on a different school schedule. It would count as a year of eligibility even though you miss the Fall Season. Still most of the events, and the most important ones, are in the Spring Season. As far as the class….yes, I think you would be considered a 2013.
Ask me anything
1 tag
Hi coach, Im from Latin America, I am 16 years old...
I’m traveling right now, but I’ll check with my compliance people and see if I can answer this in a separate post in the next week to 10 days. I want to make sure to get it right.
Ask me anything
1 tag
How much negotiating goes on with the scholarship...
I don’t really know on this and can only speak for myself. We have very little negotiation. I want the agreement to be a win/win where both parties are happy. I think too much negotiation can sour a relationship. It is something that should be fully discussed with the coach. If a recruit wants a certain amount they should make that known. A coach may or may not be able to do it, but at...
1 tag
When your team practices, do you play 9 or 18...
Both. We try to make sure to at least play 3-4 full rounds in non-tournament weeks, but still get plenty of range and short game time. We spend most of our non-playing time working on our wedges.
Ask me anything
1 tag
It looks like coaches are making verbal offers...
I definitely see this trend. While I don’t know women’s recruiting as well as I do men, I would think that yes, most of the top 100 in the 2013 class will be committed by summer. By most I’m guessing 50-75. Again, just a guess.
Ask me anything
1 tag
If a sophomore in high school sends you a golf...
You are only able to acknowledge receipt of the information and state the rules. I think “keep up the good work” would be considered fine. “Thanks for contacting us” would be fine. Anything that goes beyond a few sentences would probably get into a gray area. Anything that takes time to recruit or advocate that particular school would be over the line. This is my...
1 tag
if you have a peer that is in the recruiting...
Tough one. I really don’t know how to respond to that. You know, I almost never go back and proof or edit my responses on this blog. On this question I’ve deleted my answer a few times. So I think it is best to just not say anything for fear of being either insincere or getting myself in trouble.
Ask me anything
1 tag
Why do Questionnaires that some school send out...
I have no idea. Perhaps it is to track your application once it is submitted. I don’t think most coaches put a lot of effort into their questionnaires any more.
Ask me anything
1 tag
What is the biggest mistake kids make on a visit?
Good question. Some of the most common mistakes I see are: parents talk too much instead of the recruit, wearing gear from another university (seriously, I’ve seen this), an not having any real questions or knowledge of the program they are visiting.
The most important things for me, and I assume for other coaches, are to see the recruit has done some research and prepared for the visit...
1 tag
Is purple your favorite color? has that been an...
Yes it is. I was not born with purple as my favorite color. As I learned about colors and their meanings purple quickly shot to the top :).
Ask me anything
1 tag
If a coach knowingly breaks the rule in the...
There is no penalty if he/she doesn’t get caught. If the school’s compliance dept learns of it they would hopefully report it and self-impose a penalty. The NCAA and conference my add further penalties. There is no set template.
I would hope more than anything the coach would lose the respect of the person they are calling. Anyone who would feel comfortable with a coach that...
1 tag
can coaches recruit 1995 kids from canada
Sure. Letters and emails can’t be written to any recruit until the start of Grade 11. No off-campus contact can be many until July 1 after Grade 11. A coach can watch any player any time.
Ask me anything
5 tags
A Few Quick Notes.....
I just want to tell you how much I appreciate all the questions and comments. I love responding and sharing my thoughts with you and enjoy when you tell me it helped. I try to respond to your questions in a timely manner, but I’ll be on a family adventure for the next few weeks and may be a little slower to respond. I’ll try to get on the computer occasionally, but be patient with...
1 tag
What do you guys do to prepare for different...
We putt on only bent and poa annua grasses up here in the Northwest. When we play on bermuda greens it can be challenging. Many of our players are from this area with very limited experience on bermuda. I try to get the team out to play on different grasses a couple times per year. When we travel to these places we make sure to hit a lot of chips and putts to familiarize ourselves the best we...
1 tag
Golf is a year around sport unless you live where...
They can do whatever they want in the summers, but I sure like to see them working hard on their golf game, playing in as many events as they can, and improving a lot. For older players who are less inclined to pursue a professional golf career it is good for them to get a job or internship in their area of interest.
In the Spring we talk about their goals and help them put together a nice...
1 tag
No question here just a rave review. In this...
Thanks so much! I’m glad you find it helpful. Thanks for the questions and comments. Good luck!
Ask me anything
How To Ask A Coach Where You Stack Up......
Many recruits are taking unofficial visits as freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. They are curious to learn from a coach where they are in his/her recruiting priorities. I’ve always advocated being open and up front in all conversations with coaches, but sometimes recruits and coaches both are not really ready talk about exactly where each other stands. This is fine, because often neither...
1 tag
Will a coach tell an interested player (2014) if...
I can’t speak for all coaches but I would be surprised if a coach completely shut down recruiting the 2014 class at this point. Even if they didn’t expect to have roster spots or scholarships available for that class many things can happen between now and then and they would be wise to keep their options open.
Ask me anything
1 tag
what events do alot of coachs attend to recruit?
The US Junior always seems to have the most. The AJGA invitationals have a lot. The Callaway Jr. World has a lot of coaches as well. There are others too that are big in their region.
Ask me anything