As a Rising Senior Is It Too Late To Be Recruited? |
Coaches are always looking for good players! |
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Over the past several years more and more
junior golfers are making their college
commitments before their senior year in high
school. Most of these highly ranked players
are “blue chip” recruits who have won national
tournaments and earned All-America status in
junior golf. To facilitate early commitments,
coaches are emailing and writing to juniors in
high school (11th graders) asking them to take
unofficial visits to their college campuses.
Once on campus the prospect is allowed to meet
with the coaching staff to discuss possible
scholarships and roster positions.
Oftentimes as early commitments become public
information, prospects that have not been
recruited or do not know where they are
attending college will begin to panic. It is
normal for these prospects to feel like
everyone else has been recruited expect for
them. This is not the case at all.
Keep in mind the following key points:
- As a rising senior, it is not too late to
be recruited.
- Most golf programs sign at least some of
their players during the spring signing period
(April-August).
- Do not assume that everyone already knows
where they are going to college.
- Coaches always have a place on their
rosters for good players (and students).
- Some players are “late bloomers.”
As a college coach I discovered and signed
some of my best players during the spring
signing period. Other coaches have similar
stories to tell. If you examine the 2005–06
Signees List on the Junior Golf Scoreboard
(http://www.njgs.com/early_signees.asp) you
will see how many players actually sign the
National Letter of Intent during the spring of
their senior year in high school.
If you are getting ready to start your senior
year in high school and have not yet been
recruited, do not worry. Keep working hard on
your game and your grades. If necessary,
retake the SAT or ACT to help your college
candidacy. It is also important to do your
research first so that you can target schools
that are potential good fits for you.
Consider academic requirements, scores/resumes
of current players, tournament schedules,
facilities, geographical location, and cost
before you write to any school.
Junior golf has become a 12-month sport with
numerous top tours and stand-alone tournaments
available to players during the school year.
Continue to compete and post scores. Coaches
are always paying attention to tournament
results and will surely be interested in
players who are winning and shooting low
scores.
Remember, it is not too late to be recruited
even if you are a rising senior. Good luck!
Coach Brooks (07/06) |
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