College of Golf March 2024 Events
College of Golf Students Qualify for NCCGA Club Team
By Dr. Eric Wilson, PGA Legacy Master Professional and Keiser University College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations
After a week of qualifying, the Keiser University Seahawk National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) team has been finalized for the Regional Tournament # 1 to be held at Eagle Harbor Golf Club in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 30th and 31st, 2024. Regional Tournament # 2 will be played on April 6th and 7th at Royal St. Cloud Golf Links in Royal St. Cloud, Florida.
Keiser University has a long and successful history of competing in NCCGA events, including ten invitations to the National Championship. The NCCGA organization is comprised of over 250 colleges across the nation.
Ten students qualified for the traveling team. They are Ian Gillis, Luc Cogger, Jared Drake, Caden Carr, Kyle Nieter, David Rosenberg, Michael Elias, and Tommy Valdes (in no particular order). The group will compete against athletes from The University of Florida, Florida State University, The University of Central Florida, The University of South Florida, The University of Tampa, Florida Atlantic University, and The University of Miami.
Coach Frank Longabucco explained, “Our goal is simple. We will win or place high in the Regional Tournaments and qualify for Nationals.”
Fans can follow the Seahawks at www.nccga.org and the College of Golf website at collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu. Go Seahawks!
College of Golf Students Learn Shot Shaping Skills
By Dr. Eric Wilson, PGA Legacy Master Professional and Keiser University College of Golf Executive Director of Golf Operations
Keiser University College of Golf PGA Certified Professional Frank Longabucco, PGA Master Professional Brian Hughes and David Wixson, and PGA Certified Professional Ken Martin recently conducted a clinic on shot-shaping at the program’s outdoor training area last week.
Following his dramatic victory in the US Open, Wyndham Clark explained, “When I’m in practice, I’m always trying to get back to neutral. So, if one day I’m fading it, I’m hitting huge draws on the range. On some days, it draws too much, and I hit huge cuts and get it back to neutral; honestly, that’s what I’ve done for the last year and a half. And so, I felt like I’ve kept my swing in those parameters to where, regardless, I can play good golf if I’m hitting a little draw or a little cut, and my stats have improved immensely by doing that.” Based on Clark’s comments, the main topics of the shot-shaping clinic were Ball Flight Laws, Adjusting Individual Pre-Swing Principles, and Adjusting Individual In-Swing Principles. After demonstrating the primary points of the clinic, instructors worked with students to develop and refine their abilities to hit different shot shapes with different clubs.
Professor Longabucco discussed the importance of learning from feedback and incorporating it into every shot practiced or played on the golf course. The clinic ended with a competition designed to motivate students to practice and refine their shot-shaping skills.
PGA Master Professional Brian Hughes explains shot-shaping to students.
Students Caddy for PGA TOURs Cognizant Classic
By Brian Hughes – PGA Master Professional and College of Golf Program Director
While 2024 marks the first year of the Cognizant Classic (formerly the Honda Classic), it was certainly not the first year for Keiser University College of Golf’s (KUCOG) involvement with the PGA TOUR.
The newly renamed event, held once again at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, required a huge community effort. With the help of over 40 golf management program students, Keiser once again lent a hand during the Pro-Am portion of the event, serving as caddies for the amateur participants.
The Pro-Am portion of the PGA TOUR event involved groups of amateur golfers playing with PGA TOUR players as a prelude to the competition, which began later in the week. For the professional golfers, the event provides one last chance to see the course before the competition begins, while the amateur golfers enjoy the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best players in the world on the tournament playing field.
While the professionals have their caddies to do their heavy lifting, the amateurs require volunteers to provide those same services. For Keiser students, the opportunity to be inside the ropes working for the amateurs offers close-up opportunities to view how professionals play the course and to help guide their amateur players around the links. At the end of the day, students enjoyed a memorable experience, met important people, and hopefully gained insights about the game of golf that will help them in their future careers.
College of Golf Students Participate in a Chipping Clinic
By Frank Longabucco, Keiser University College of Golf PGA Instructor
Keiser University College of Golf (KUCOG) PGA Professionals Frank Longabucco and Ken Martin and PGA Master Professionals Brian Hughes and David Wixson recently conducted an interactive chipping clinic for learners at the program’s outdoor training area.
Students learned basic chip shot fundamentals, including how to develop a training plan and how to measure and evaluate their practice sessions. The clinic ended with a chipping competition, which was won by Tyran Suga.
Professor Longabucco explains chipping fundamentals.
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.
