An Array of College Golf Opportunities
KENILWORTH, N.J. - With limited spots available in the collegiate golf space, there are still places for opportunity. The junior college path is one that is often overlooked.
Playing golf at the collegiate level does not necessarily require a player to shoot 5-under par, 2-over par or even being the star on the high school team. Many high school golfers underestimate their potential when not in the starting five.
“There are high school girls that don’t know they could be competitive even if they can’t quite break 100,” said Sean Fawcett, Head Golf Coach at Ocean County College. “They could be right there.”
Junior colleges offer great academic opportunities at a more affordable cost than the traditional college path. Going to a junior college can also give an athlete a higher chance to see playing time on the team.
“Colleges cost so much,” said Fawcett. “Going to a junior college for two years and saving that money to then get your four-year degree is a huge deal. To do that, plus play golf and have a lot of fun doing it, maybe even learn how to do it, and get better at it is a big plus.”
With national recognition, specifically at the Division I level, it is often underestimated that junior colleges can be a great fit. Coaches at the junior college level tend to find recruiting challenging. Inevitably, there is an untapped group of golfers that could experience college golf but are just completely unaware.
“A lot of kids, even the students that come to the college, are surprised we even have a team,” claimed Fawcett.
As many athletes complete the two years and receive an associate's degree, the majority will apply to continue their academic and athletic experience at a Division II or III level.
“We try our best to help the kids get into another program,” Fawcett added.
In 2011, two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson was inducted into the NJCAA Golf Hall of Fame after attending Faulkner State Community College in Alabama before transferring to the University of Georgia and helped lead them to the 1999 NCAA title.
While Watson fits a small percentage of junior college golfers who saw major success, who’s to say it’s not impossible to imitate.
Major stardom isn’t for everyone, though. Getting a higher education, being a part of a team environment and getting to play golf in college is a win in itself.
That’s exactly where junior college fits in.
With many schools starting or have already started, Fawcett admits it’s not too late to get involved with the team. In New Jersey, there are seven National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) institutions that offer golf.
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