College of Golf April 2024 Events
Keiser’s NCCGA Club Team Gears Up for National Championship
The Keiser University National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Club team is gearing up for the National Championship Tournament to be held on April 27, 2024, at the WinStar Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
The team earned an at-large wild card invitation to the event by playing well in the Florida Regional Events and is ranked 5th out of 200 Colleges nationwide. This is the highest ranking by the club team since 2014! Twenty-five teams qualified for Nationals.
The Seahawks are looking to better their top-10 finish at Nationals in 2015. The team will play a practice round on Friday, Round 1 on Saturday, and Round 2 on Sunday. To follow the team, please visit nccga.org.
Left to right: Jason Allen, Jamie Kirkorian, Jared Drake, Caden Carr, Tommey Valdes, Michael Elias, Kyle Nieter. (Not pictured Ian Gillis)
Team Ranking Link: https://nccga.org/app/golf-tournaments/current-team-rankings-nccga
College of Golf Students Organize and Administer Golf Tournament
By Dr. Eric Wilson, Executive Director of Golf Operations and PGA Legacy Master Professional
Twenty-seven students and faculty participated in a recent Keiser University College of Golf Tournament held at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The format was a final exam-friendly Two-Player Scramble. PGA Faculty offered a short game clinic before the tee times, and the event raised money for the Robert Stingo Foundation.
Ian Gillis and Caden Carr won the event with a score of 60.0, while Ryan Wilson and Jason Allen finished second with a score of 60.7. Frank Longabucco, PGA Instructor, also noted how important it is for students to play competitive golf to prepare for their PGA Playing Ability Test. Students enjoyed the competition, comradery, and a break during their final exams.
Class Tournament Participants
College of Golf Students Enjoy Hickory and Persimmon Golf
By Dr. Eric Wilson, Executive Director of Golf Operations and PGA Legacy Master Professional
Keiser University College of Golf (KUCOG) students recently played a round of Hickory and Persimmon Golf using hickory shafted golf clubs and 1970s persimmon woods and blade irons.
Professor Ken Martin led the students as they used mid-irons, mashies, niblicks, and putters with hickory shafts and persimmon woods, blade irons, and Bullseye putters to play the par-72 Okeeheelee Golf Course located in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Five teams competed in the “scramble” formatted event. The winners in a playoff were Ratthaphum Rattanathaku, Connor Sternbach, and Ethan Knauf with a score of ten under par 62. Second place, also with a score of 62, went to the team of Rio Jang, Jason Allen, James Fellows, and Jackson Klein. Luc Cogger, Krystal Wang, Cayland Hartman, and Chris Boyenger claimed a tie for third place with a score of 64, with Jared Drake, Ryan Wilson, Johnathan Burbee, and Jimmy Phillips. Fifth place went to Gus Aguilar, Aoli Liu, and Travis Barbee, with a score of 66.
Keiser University’s College of Golf congratulates the new Hickory/Persimmon Golf Champions of the Semester and thanks Flagship Campus Golf Coach Brandon Miller, who donated a “gold” cup for the winner’s prize. The team will “own” the cup until the next competition.
The opportunity to use replica golf clubs from the 1920s and 1970s provides students with an appreciation for the skills and abilities of golf’s greats of both eras. 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, as did the next generation of champions with steel shafts, persimmon wood heads, blade irons, and Bullseye putters. Overall, the experience was enlightening and fun!
Keiser University College of Golf students before teeing off in the Hickory/Persimmon Golf Championship
College of Golf Students Participate in NCCGA Tournament
By Frank Longabucco, Keiser University College of Golf Instructor
Keiser University College of Golf (KUCOG) students recently participated in the National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) Florida Regional #2 Golf Tournament held at Eagle Harbor Golf Club in Fleming Island, Florida. The 36-hole event was won by the University of Florida, with the Seahawks finishing 2nd place.
The team was led by Jared Drake, who shot rounds of 74-77 and finished fourth individually. Kyle Neiter shot 78-78, Michael Elias 78-79, Caden Carr 74-81, and Luc Cogger 79-80, rounding out the top players for the club.
The group will compete again on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links in Kissimmee, Florida. Currently ranked 19th in the country, the Seahawks hope to improve and move up in the ranking after finishing 8th in Spring 2023. An invitation to the National Championship is at stake.
Pictured L-R: David Rosenberg, James Fellows, Caden Carr, Tommy Valdes, Jared Drake, Michael Elias, Luc Cogger, Kyle Neiter.
Learn more!
Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
