College Golf Myth

Every kid who plays the game of golf has dreams of playing college golf at the Division 1 level and they think that to get to that level they must play in every AJGA event possible. I am not going to argue that the AJGA is not a great place for kids to play or be seen by college coaches. However, I am going to argue that kids can be seen just as much and get more experience to help them down the road by playing in the local and state events around them. Yes, I know that each kid has his heart and dreams set on going to a big time golf school like Oklahoma State or Georgia, but those kids that go to those schools are the cream of the crop. There are some very good schools that are not as big but at the same time have great golf programs and are also great academic institutes. Just because you do not get that call or letter from one of the elite schools should not stop you from chasing your dream.

Each year more and more junior golf tournaments are being held throughout the state of Missouri, get involved and play as many tournaments that you can play in, if you live in the St. Louis area play the Gateway PGA Sections junior series which are great. If you live in the Kansas City area get involved with the KCGA junior golf events, the Springfield area has a great junior series along with the Lake of the Ozarks. Also, it does not matter where you live or what level you are to get involved with the great Junior Program that we the MGA put on each year. Just this year in ‘09 we have added more one day events throughout the state, also starting this year we are allowing young ladies for the first time to compete in our Missouri Junior Amateur Championship.

The more you compete and learn how to play under the gun of pressure the better player you are going to become and hence getting the attention of the college coaches. The AJGA is a great association that gives kids a chance to compete against the best, but at the same time they are the problem. Kids need to compete and learn how to win, if a kid who is not one of the top players in the country goes out and plays each week on the AJGA and spends all that money finishing in the middle of the pack and not really leading anything than it was not worth it. However if a kid travels the state of the Missouri all summer playing in events and finishing high, than he or she will learn how to handle pressure and learn how their body reacts to being in that position. College coaches want kids that compete and know what it takes to win and how to react in tough situations. I am not saying for a kid to play just local events, go see where you rank against the best once in a while. However for the most part stay close to home and learn how to win.

So my final advice to you junior golfers is this, play as much as you can and compete as much as you can. Just because you do not get the attention of a Division 1 school should not stop you from chasing that dream, D 2 and D 3 schools play great schedules as well and have just as much fun. So keep practicing and playing and go to our web site www.mogolf.org to get signed up for our great events in 09.

Until I see you on the first Tee

Scott