College of Golf October Events
Keiser University College of Golf Students Enjoy Historic Hickory Putting Championship
Professor Ken Martin’s Keiser University College of Golf (KUCOG) History of Golf class recently enjoyed a unique opportunity when Martin, along with College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations Dr. Eric Wilson, organized a putting competition using hickory-shafted putters and golf balls from different historical eras, beginning in the early 1800s and progressing through modern day.
Students gathered at the outdoor putting green as Martin explained each of the different putting stations, culminating in two 18-hole putting competitions. Students putted three-hole segments with each of the following:
- *Long nose putter and featherie golf ball (pre-1848)
- *Kempshall Pyraline putter and smooth gutta percha golf ball (1848-1850)
- *Wry-neck blade putter and hand-hammered gutta percha golf ball (1850-1865)
- *Brown-Vardon semi-mallet head putter and bramble pattern gutta percha golf ball (1865-1900)
- *Spalding Hollow-Back putter and balata covered golf ball (1900-1960)
- *Personal putter and Pro V-1 golf balls (1960-modern day)
Par for the course was 72, and the Champion of the Historic Open Putting Championship was Richard Jacobs, who scored 74, which is a new record. Finishing second with scores of 76 were students Braden Lohr and Cade Holder.
Professor Martin’s History of Golf Class at the Historic Putter and Golf Ball Invitational
Historic Putter and Golf Ball Invitational Champion Richard Jacobs
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Keiser University’s National Collegiate Club Golf Association
Team Finishes Third in Regional Tournament
Keiser University National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) team members recently traveled to the Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring, Florida, for the NCCGA Florida Fall Regional Golf Tournament.
On a challenging golf course, the Seahawks fired rounds of 393 and 389 for a total of 782 and a solid third-place finish, seven strokes ahead of the University of Florida’s B-Team. Keiser finished ahead of the University of Florida B-Team, the University of Miami, and the University of Central Florida.
Besides the team event, the NCCGA also recognizes the low 36-hole individual players. Seahawk Garry Williams finished tied-fourth overall in the 61-person field with rounds of 72 and 78 for a total of 150. Other Seahawks included: Brayden Aleff (T-17th), Heloise Garcin (T-22nd), Bradley Patton (25th), Ron White and Braden Lohr (T-28th), Chia-hao Wang (T-39th), and Kellen Parris (48th).
Keiser Professor and Coach Frank Longabucco, who accompanied the team, was especially proud of the way the team competed overall. Coach Longabucco has victory as his goal in the next Regional event in two weeks at Sand Hill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Over 350 Colleges and Universities throughout the USA and Canada have Club Golf Teams. To find out more about the National Colligate Club Golf Association (NCCGA), go to https://nextgengolf.org/app/nccga-college-golf-regions.
Keiser University Seahawks NCCGA Team. L-R: Braden Lohr, Heloise Garcin, Brayden Aleff, Ron White, Chia-Hao Wang, Garry Williams, Kellen Parris, and Brad Patton.
Garry Williams with his T-4th place trophy.
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Keiser University College of Golf Students Enjoy Hickory Golf
Seven Keiser University College of Golf (KUCOG) students led by PGA Professional Brad Turner recently enjoyed a round of Hickory Golf using hickory shafted golf clubs.
Conducted as part of their History of Golf class under the direction of Dr. Eric Wilson, Executive Director of Golf Operations and PGA Legacy Master Professional, the group dressed in period clothing and used mid-irons, mashies, niblicks, and putters with hickory shafts to play the par-72 Martin Downs Osprey Point Golf Course.
Playing in a “Scramble” format, two teams competed in the event. The first team out, with members Brad Turner PGA, Dawson Magar, Aramis Wells, and Mathew Swafford, shot a 10-under par 62 for the 18-holes, breaking the previous record score of -9 by one shot. Their celebration, however, was short-lived. The second team, with members Braden Lohr, Ryan Byrd, Kellen Paris, and Ethan Rodriguez, posted a stellar 14-under par, shattering the newly set record by 4 strokes!
Keiser University congratulates this term’s Hickory Golf Champions and all participants as they look forward to the upcoming “Big 3” Invitational, in which the Traditions of Golf class will compete with persimmon woods, blade irons, and Bullseye putters.
Keiser University Flagship Campus Golf Coach Brandon Miller donated a “gold” cup for the winner’s prize, and the team will “own” the cup until the next competition. The opportunity to use replica golf clubs from the 1920s gave the students an appreciation for the skills and abilities of golf’s greats of the era. Champions such as Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Gene Sarazen, and Long Jim Barnes all shot incredible scores and won major championships using hickory shafted golf clubs. Overall, the experience was enlightening and fun!
When you are ready to concentrate on making golf your career, contact us to find out how you can get started today.
College of Golf Students Enjoy Student and Staff Competition
Keiser University College of Golf students recently participated in a friendly Student and Staff Competition at Martin Downs Golf Club in Palm City, Florida. The format was individual low gross and low net. Garry Williams won the low gross division with a score of 74, and Ron White won low net honors with a 70.
Students attended a putting clinic conducted by PGA Instructors Frank Longabucco and Brad Turner before teeing off. The clinic included individual attention, guided block practice drills, and an experiential drill reacting to the target. The event was fun while being competitive and gave students a playing opportunity to improve their games. Students also played with PGA Instructors, learning golf course management and mental game skills.
The next Friday event will be November 5th at Okeeheelee Golf Club. The format will be a two-player scramble, gross and net.
Keiser University’s Flagship Campus Hosts
Florida State Golf Association Seminar
Keiser University’s Flagship Campus recently welcomed Florida State Golf Association representative Mark Boyko, who conducted a seminar relating to the new World Golf Handicap System rules of handicapping and the United States Golf Association Golf Genius Tournament Management software program.
Twenty-Five local PGA Professionals and Club Committee Chairs attended the event along with Keiser University students.
“The knowledge provided to students is valuable preparation for the real world, as the rules of handicapping and the Golf Genius software program are used regularly at golf courses worldwide,” said Frank Longabucco, Keiser University PGA Instructor. Students also had the opportunity to interact with local PGA Professionals and club members throughout the seminar.
Mark Boyko
Mark Boyko and Keiser students
When you are ready to concentrate on making golf your career, contact us to find out how you can get started today.
