A snowy view of hole #7 at West Lake Country Club, Augusta, Georgia.
🏌️New considerations for college golf recruitment
This
week we're joined by Michael Burcin from Under Par Consulting. As a former D-1 golf coach and expert in the college golf recruitment arena, he provides an in-depth look at the new college recruiting
landscape.
Take a look below and remember you can always get in touch with Michael through email underparconsulting@gmail.com or @underparconsulting.
Transfer Portal, 1600 Golf Programs, and Where Does This All
Lead?
I am taking a lot of calls and questions in this new year with the simple question of what do all these changes mean in the junior golf recruiting landscape?
In my last few years of coaching at the D1 level, there were increased scholarship limits on the horizon, but the reduced roster size was not a hot topic. With change comes stress, but there are important things to remember as we wait to see what the next few months look like.
For example, just in my 17 years of coaching we went from 8th graders taking visits, scholarships being accepted by freshman, to now kids getting paid and the bucket that funnels to D1 is now smaller than ever.
One of the first reminders I give to each of my new families I work with is
that there are a combined 1600+ collegiate programs on both the men's and women's sides. On average this means there are roughly 16,000 college golfers...which also means there is a place for everyone!
There will definitely be change this coming this May when the top D1 programs are rocked with 75-100
players being cut from rosters and immediately into the portal on the men's side. This will have enormous impacts to the top half of the D1 landscape and trickle down to all levels.
On the women's side there could be more scholarships available at some schools as well. Anyone that tells you what things
will look like after this spring window, I would caution you with listening further, just as many parents often tell you they know there is this one or two tours you have to play! Neither is true.
Be open minded, look at different parts of the country, and all types of scenarios. College is not about settling
for places you know, will automatically be comfortable with, or surrounding yourself with others who are just like you. Searching for a golf home should be looked at just the same.
Keep in mind there are D3s that would routinely beat D1s and JUCOs that are regular feeding grounds for high level D1s. I promise
you weather is less of an issue then you might think and where the higher level of commitment to golf is expected, golf at some point, will take a back seat.
The recruitment process is daunting, more confusing than ever with the decisions of the NCAA, and guess what....there are rumblings the transfer
portal is already being looked at for more change. Above all else, keep your eyes open and be ready to listed to all places, programs, weather, and experiences.
College golf is an amazing experience and that opportunity is not lessened by the size of school, level of the football team, or part of the
country!
-Michael Burcin
UnderPar Consulting
