TRADITION HILTON HEAD, Hardeeville, S.C. (July 28, 2008) – A global assembly of aspiring golfers gathered for the first-ever College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head here today to get expert advice and hopefully catch the eye of a college recruiter.
More than 100 high school golfers from as far away as Singapore, Panama and Trinidad, as well as from numerous states, participated in the combine, designed to bring them exposure so they may continue playing golf at the collegiate level and earn a degree.
The golfers, boys and girls ages 13 to 18, resume the unique golf experience at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. The two-day combine is organized by the International Junior Golf Tour in association with UNDER ARMOUR, and Hank Haney’s International Junior Golf Academy based on Hilton Head Island.
Combines new to golf
“This event is the first of its kind for golf. Many other sports, like football, basketball and baseball, have this type of combine, but golf never has had one before,” said Chris Gibbs, event coordinator for the College Golf Combine. “It’s a great opportunity for young golfers to get a precise idea of how each part of their golf game stacks up. We believe it will help players take their games to the next level.”
Gibbs congratulated the staff of Tradition Hilton Head and Tradition National Golf Course for the success of the event.
“Tradition Hilton Head’s golf staff has made the event flow without a hitch,” Gibbs said. “The set-up, coordination and execution of all the moving parts of this event have been excellent.”
“For the kids being given this opportunity under these special conditions is just outstanding for their games and their future careers,” said Mark Gonsalves, CEO of International Junior Golf Academy. “This is an excellent venue in which these young golfers can increase awareness of their game.”
Experience of a lifetime
Omar Tejeira, a 17-year-old from Panama, said the event at Tradition National Golf Course is an “experience of a lifetime.”
“I can see walking away from this with a much better idea of my strong and weak points.” Talking as his father watched him hit practice drives, Omar said, “I had no idea this was such a beautiful golf course. I’ve played several junior tournaments around the Southeast, and this course is on par with every course I’ve played.”
The two-year-old course was designed by Tommy Fazio.
“This college combine is a wonderful opportunity to help young golfers from all over the country and the world, and helps put out the word about our fantastic golf course,” said David Wilding, director of golf at Tradition Hilton Head National.
“It reinforces the fact that a young, vital community and golf course here at Tradition Hilton Head can successfully host an international golf event.”
Tradition Hilton Head has invited the College Golf Combine back next year.
“We feel that all of the golfers, the families and the coaches will learn a lot from this ground-breaking golf combine, and we hope to see them back next year,” said Martin Sauls IV, public relations director of Tradition Hilton Head.
Tapping college coaches’ interest
Frank and Debbie DeRosa drove their nephew Jesse Bingaman down for the combine from Pennsylvania. “Conceptually, this event is great,” Debbie said. “We were interested in seeing how much interest college golf coaches have in these young golfers.”
Apparently, there is a lot of interest: two dozen college coaches were registered for the combine. They can meet and talk to golfers during restricted times.
“An event like this for young golfers is a long time coming,” said Kyle Mack, golf coach at Young Harris College in north Georgia and head golf professional at a golf club near the college. “This broadens their opportunity to showcase their golfing skills and hopefully will help them get a golf scholarship, or at least learn how to go about it.”
Russell Stephens, father of 17-year-old golfer Jordan Stephens of Trinidad, said the combine is a splendid opportunity for junior golfers to compare their skills with other players their age. “Jordan has played in tournaments, but this combine gives golfers the chance to see how each element of their game stands up with other players,” he said.
How it works
The combine basically breaks down each part of the game – from putting and chipping to driving and bunker play – with scorers keeping tabs on each golfer’s performance. Golfers also head out on the course to show scorers how they can manage course play. Scores are then made available to the players, their families and college coaches.
On Tuesday, the golfers continue their scoring performance events, with an 18-hole tournament rounding out the combine.
Joey Pizetoski, a 17-year-old golfer from Davidson, N.C., and 18-year-old golfer Taylor Klein of Great Falls, Va., chatted after they went through a putting performance event.
“This is so much more different than the junior tournaments we play,” Joey said. “I was surprised the way it is set up. It’s a lot more helpful to our games than just competing head-to-head with other players.”
Taylor said the combine gives young golfers an extra shot of confidence in their game.
“We get to see how well various parts of our game are working and what needs improvement, and you get to meet and work with other kids on a more personal level than at tournaments,” he said. “And, we’re given the chance to talk to coaches about going to college and what that will require. I definitely want to get a college golf scholarship.”
Scores and other information on the College Golf Combine at Tradition Hilton Head are available at www.golfstat.com.
College Golf Combine on the Web: www.collegegolfcombine.com
