Where college students go for golf

Written By: Chris Johnson | @ChrisJohnson776

Coming out of high school, I faced a decision that many high school golfers face after graduating. While I wasn’t good enough to play varsity college golf for a big Division I school, I could have taken the route of playing for a smaller Division III or NAIA team in college. Going to one of those schools also meant that I wouldn’t have been able to pursue the kind of engineering degree I would like to earn, as I wanted to go to a large university setting for my secondary education.

2016 has been a rough year for men's varsity college golf programs. In 2016 alone there have been 7 men's golf programs cut from their school's athletics. Compare that to 4 cuts in 2015, and 0 in 2014 (after Furman reinstated their program after cutting it briefly). The main culprit, at least according to public statements, has been budgeting. There's simply not enough money to go around, and golf has been on the chopping block.

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

5 years ago marked the beginning of a dynasty. It was the beginning of a historic run, and it all started in Ohio. Five years ago refers to the Spring 2011 NCCGA National Championship. Taking place at Firestone Country Club in Akron, the championship shows just how much the NCCGA has grown in that time. 12 teams faced off in Akron for the National Championship, compared to 30 in the Spring of 2016. It was, however, no less competitive.

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

The forecast for Round 1 of the NCCGA National Championship called for 70 and sunny, with only a 5% chance for precipitation. The precipitation came in the morning, raining on the first wave of tee times. The sun came out briefly, but then the fog started. And it didn't stop.

South Carolina's journey to a National Championship began last Fall, at TPC San Antonio. The Gamecocks had big ambitions, entering last season's nationals as the #4 ranked team. Unfortunately, travel issues knocked the team from contention.

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

Written By: Andy Johnson | @the_fried_egg

The biggest golfing weekend of the year was made just a little bit bigger with how much was on the line for club golf teams across the country. As Spieth climbed, and dropped, the Masters leaderboard, NCCGA teams were punching their ticket to the Spring 2016 National Championship.

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

Written By: Travis Richardson | @travis_richson

When I was a senior at Weddington High School, I was accepted to 6 different schools but still didn't know where I wanted to go. All I knew is I wanted to play varsity golf in college. I had played golf in high school, and also on the AJGA and HJGT summer tours. With less than two months remaining before graduation, I accepted an offer from Belmont Abbey College to play on their men’s golf team.