Where college students go for golf

Who didn’t experience that empty feeling the Thursday of Masters week this April? The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a lot from us, sports being one of them (albeit low on the overall priority list).  However, it’s helped me recognize how much I consume and enjoy sports and how sports has greatly changed my life. 

It’s been 10 years since I first teed it up at an NCCGA club golf tournament and I couldn’t help but think how different the experience will be at PGA National Collegiate Club Golf Association tournaments this season compared to a decade ago. Being involved with the NCCGA ever since that first tournament has given me, along with our full PGA of America team, the opportunity to take steps and continue to improve every aspect of club golf. Club golfers have been instrumental in driving change for the NCCGA and making every semester better. Here is what you can expect when you tee it up in an upcoming NCCGA tournament!

Each semester our staff at Nextgengolf strives to find a new, unique venue for NCCGA Nationals. Having hosted at amazing facilities like TPC San Antonio in Texas, Disney Golf Courses in Florida, and The Resort at Glade Springs in West Virginia, our goal is to find awesome golf courses that give club golfers across the country an amazing experience.

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As a former club golfer, I competed in four NCCGA National Championships and know the significance of qualifying for the coveted season-ending nationals. In May, we announced the proposed changes to the Fall 2017 NCCGA National Championship qualifying procedures. Since thenthe NCCGA staff has been collecting feedback via surveys, emails, calls, and texts. I have spoken with many club golfers to get their input on these changes and two questions have come up time and time again, “Why can’t we keep the old system?” and “how does this affect my team?”

There have been some pretty cool stories of what former NCCGA students have gone on to do following their college years. The beauty of club golf is that players can shoot between 64 and 114, and then go on to do anything they want in their professional careers, whether it's be a CEO, Manager or even President. There have even been some standout talents who have chosen to continue their golf dream at the professional level.

Every NCCGA National Championship has something unique to offer.  Whether it is the location, the course itself, or the new ideas and activities built into the weekend, each championship creates unique memories for club golfers each semester. 

Oxford Golf has become synonymous with club golf apparel over the past two years.  Ever since Oxford become the official apparel sponsor of Nextgengolf in 2015, NCCGA club golfers have been sporting the best polos and jackets on and off the course. Oxford has also made it more affordable than ever to order discount golf apparel for your team.

What better than to recognize the club golf teams that have the best shirts than with our first annual Power Rankings. Here's our opinion on the teams that wear it best.

Written By: Matt Weinberger | @bergsUD

Who said Club Golfers Couldn’t Shoot in the 60’s? The NCCGA is lucky to have many talented golfers all across the country. These golfers included accomplished high school golfers, former AJGA junior golfers, former varsity golfers, as well as those that just love the game and have improved throughout their non-varsity college golf career.

You may have seen some action on the NCCGA Twitter account about the Fall 2015 National Championship Team Shop. Clubs that have qualified for the season ending championship at TPC San Antonio have the opportunity to show off why they deserve to represent their region later this month with custom shirts, jackets, golf balls, travel bags, backpacks, and more.

College golf club teams have consistently asked our Nextgengolf team over the past several years for support on fundraising. Teams are always looking for a way to raise money to help offset the costs of running a successful club program. Earlier this year, the NCCGA fundraising platform was launched specifically to help out these club teams.

Have you ever thought about which stats best indicate successful versus poor college players? Golfstat is the company behind tracking the scores and analytics for many college golf teams and tournamnets.

At the end of each year, the NCCGA leadership team evaluates how we can improve the organization. One of the things I felt we could do to improve our tournaments and create a consistent experience across the country was to introduce a new student leadership position – the NCCGA Director of Tournament Operations.

I know it will be valuable to have a student well versed in running tournaments contribute to our tournament vision and be the student lead for running our National Championships.

Note: This is a repost of a previously published story on the NCCGA website.