Yep... That is what I thought.. For some reason didn't figure UC = U Cincy..

I apologize if this is a repost, but I’ve had some requests for this story and I wasn’t able to find the detailed write-up that I had published a while ago… so without further adieu, here is how I got tarped as a Division 1 collegiate golfer.

I was entering my 3rd year of my five year program at the Univ of Cincinnati and decided to dedicate myself to walking on to the men’s golf team. Collegiate golf had always been a dream and aspiration of mine, but it wasn’t a critical element to my college decision. I had earned my way to UC via an academic scholarship in a pretty competitive business program, and I had decided that getting a good degree was more critical than teeing it up with a C-Paw on my bag.

Nonetheless I was constantly monitoring the progress of the team and I utilized some networks to communicate and become friendly with the coach. Unfortunately for me, the program was going through some major turnover and there were several interim coaches. By the time that my third year rolled around and my schedule allowed me to make tryouts, there was a new face at the helm.

There wasn’t much time to develop any type of rapport with him and I collected all the information for walk-on tryouts, fees, and assuring that I covered every necessary step to give myself the best shot at making the team. I had worked very hard at my game and had some decent success in summer tournaments and I was looking forward to pitting my game against everyone and seeing if I could compete with D-1 golfers.

Tryouts began with a brief introduction and overview of the rules and expectations of the competitors. There would be 3 rounds played with the possibility of a fourth round, if necessary. The play was stroke play and we were playing on a Greg Norman design layout just outside of Cincinnati, one of the tougher tracks in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Prior to the beginning of the tournament, I had asked the Coach directly what my status would be. I realized that my age/eligibility (entering 3 of 5 years of NCAA eligibility) was not insignificant and that it could play a role in my selection. I needed to know whether I was up against the field or against Old Man Par. For those golfers reading this, you know there is a drastic difference in strategy between the two. One is to beat my peers while the other was to go flag hunting and try to post low scores – hardly the same task.

Coach emphasized that selection would be made based off performance among peers and to not worry about my age.

I proceed to go out for three days and shoot a cumulative score of about 5-over par. By the end of the third round I had amassed a 10-stroke lead over the next closest competitor and even bested some of the team’s varsity players who had played behind us each day in the same conditions, etc.

We huddled around and were informed that there would be no need for a fourth day of tryouts – I was in. . . or so I thought. He then proceeded to welcome the 2nd place (sophomore) and third place (freshman) finishers on the team and asked to talk to me separately.

Completely stunned by these developments, I remember standing stiffly in-front of him like a statue. He proceeds to tell me that I needed to do something to establish myself from the rest of the field given my age. I needed to prove that I can compete with some of the standing members of the team. Every little word and accent in his speech was like a needle on my skin. This couldn’t be happening.

This was single-handedly the most emotional roller coaster I’ve experienced. After my round I felt all but assured that I had achieved my goals of making it on the team and it was swiftly taken away in a manner that I felt was unjust. Before I knew it, I had broken down in tears of frustration, anger, and confusion as he continued to feed the load of horses--- that he was spouting. I had poured my heart into the last three days and putted out on my 54th green with an immense sense of pride and accomplishment and suddenly found myself in a situation that was impossible to win. This guy was single-handedly smothering my dream.

Ultimately I decided to contact the athletic director at UC with the intention of raising awareness of the shenanigans going on. Academically, I couldn’t have been happier with my situation, and I eventually accepted that I just wasn’t meant to play college golf. Recreational golf with my close friends was for more appealing than wasting my energy on a bench under a Coach who I didn’t respect. Magically, the details/scores and all the information about the tryouts weren’t available when the athletic department investigated and the Coach had no recollection.

Wow, that is ridiculous. As an aside, I don't understand why you lose years of eligibility if you aren't playing. Can you explain that?

You have this 5 year clock that just starts from the moment you start classes....

I imagine it's to prevent people from playing college sports at age 30.. but maybe there is more reason (that someone can chime in that is more qualified to answer).

I guess if they didn't have the rule people would "redshirt" before joining a team and could stay in school an extra couple years, but I don't know why exactly the rule works the way it does. There have been plenty of college athletes who were in their late 20s, it's just that they didn't go to college at 18 or 19 years old. There was even that 59-year-old guy who walked onto a D-III football team.

I can't wait to see hackers whose golf club is whiter than their 'experienced' golf ball.

Got a ridiculous tax return this year. Hit the R9, R11, 910D2 and the Razr Hawk the other night. Hated the R11, liked the R9 supertri but not the superdeep. LOVE the 910D2 and the Razr Hawk, and the tiebreaker is that the 910D2 looks sick and the Razr Hawk looks ******ed. Pretty pumped, think I'm going to order today.

Nice! I got a juicy bonus recently which I will also be spending on a new Driver + irons combo. Definitely looking at getting myself into either an R11 or 910 depending on how they demo. Almost spring!

Still loving my SuperDeep fwiw. Hit 13 of 14 fws today, normally hit less then 10.

has anyone watched the doc "the back nine" bout some guys quest to go from a 14 handicap to playing professionally on netflix watch instantly?

if you haven't, don't. it is objectively awful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Eia...eature=related

want.

Not the first time I've heard this :P

damn, if only I had 225K lying around!

There was a thread a few years ago where a guy documented the start to end process of getting a professional golf green installed in his backyard. It was unreal the amount of work that went into it and how high the quality was. I think he spent a small fortune on it too.

I'm sure this has been discussed before, even by myself, but do any of you guys here travel around to play scrambles etc.?

I haven't found many good websites as a resource for golf scrambles and I usually just come across them by seeing an ad at a course or some notice in the newspaper.

I've read stuff about ringers traveling and playing cash scrambles (where prizes are cash) but no idea how to even get in that circle and/or what the integrity of the game would be like with so much at stake.

I am thinking about going to the PGA Store and hitting some irons and a driver, I plan on purchasing both items. I am a low 90s golfer and am basically looking for some advice on buying new clubs.

I am thinking taylormades or Calloway, can anyone suggest anything else? I need something forgiving. Will I get ripped off if I just go there and purchase what I like or should I see what I like, drive home and search online? It is a 20/30minutes drive and gonna take hours really between hitting different clubs and being indecisive.

Any help/advice if very appreciated !!! thanks

edit: also looking to get new golf bag

My advice is don't buy new... it's a waste of money.

You probably are best looking for something that is decently forgiving but playable as you improve (iron wise). Something like the Titleist AP-2's probably would be a great fit for you.

As for driver, buy used as well. Regardless what you get, get something with 9.5* loft, minimum.. 10.5 probably more ideal. Performance on most drivers now is virtually the same so just go with whichever pleases your eye.

I wouldn't expect much integrity in a scramble tournament and my expectations would decline as the prizes/money awarded increases for it.

Just bought a 910d2 with a Project X 7C3 Tour edition today. Probably should have taken the buy used advice. $400 lol.

You are not likely to get ripped off purchasing at a PGA Superstore vs online or anywhere else. Most manufacturers have adopted a minimum acceptable price policy so there isn't rampant discounting on the newest stuff.

What to look at is really a function of how much you're looking to spend. Is budget an issue? If not, you'll want to check out the latest and greatest. If it is, last year's model is frequently a screaming buy. I picked up a Callaway FT-9 I-Mix for $129 recently, that was $500 last summer.

I don't have much advice on irons, but I would definitely add Ping to your list. They still make fantastic game improvement irons.

Try as many different things as you can stand. If they let you hit outside that would be ideal -- actually ideal would be if they had someone who knew something about fitting but I dunno if that's realistic.

As for bags, I'm a huge fan of the Sun Mountain 4.5 (carry bag) and C-130 (cart bag). I've also had a number of Ping carry bags, all have been good.

+1 to buying used

i've been on a purchasing spree lately because i can't golf yet (and buying clubs makes me happy) and in my searching i've seen plenty of mint or near mint condition clubs that i'm guessing were demo clubs at a pretty big discount. over the winter i've bought a used iron set, driver, 3 wood and hybrid, probably saved $600+ by not buying new. the only things i bought brand new were a few wedges, a putter and 2 shafts

unless you don't care at all about the money try a bunch out and then go home and look for them online...as for iron recs i'm only on my 3rd set of my life so i'm certainly no expert but i'm at a similar skill level and i really like my Callaway FT Fusions, don't think they make them anymore though

What about two man events? Obv its still possible, but at least less likely.

I start my "swing into spring" (i made that up) golf lessons tomorrow with the pro I have been working with for 6 years. If my swing is tight after the lesson I think i'll head to golftown and see about a new set of clubs

The difference in 2 man events is that you are paired with an opponent. It's much more difficult to shave shots or cheat; whereas in a scramble you are playing with only your team and you are your own score-keeper.

Thanks guys, I ended up hitting a bunch of different irons and liked the the Taylor made burner 2.0s the best. Maybe i was biased cus i was thinking taylormade/calloway going in but i noticed they added a good 10/15 yards to typical distances (which i needed). They were $699 at the store but came home and found the full 4-pw with A wedge set brand new from a certified dealer for $529 w free shipping so I ordered.

Booker Woodfox, I like that cart bag!, That is kinda what I am looking for , I might look for a nice similar Taylor Made one to match my new clubs ! or bad idea? Built in cooler would be sweet

Next Item I am going to buy is a new Driver, then I should be set for a while.

I know I could saved a lot by getting used clubs , but I'll probably use these for 7-10 years and I had a really good sports betting football season and decided to treat myself with some of the money.