Choosing a college golf program is about more than finding a school where a junior golfer can compete. Academics, campus life, playing opportunities, and long-term goals all play a role in finding the right fit.
In Episode 2 of FCG Weekly, Chris Smeal, PGA, and Greg Dumlao sit down with Alex Weber, CEO and co-founder of CAMPUS, to discuss the college golf recruiting process and how families can discover opportunities they may not have considered.
From understanding what college coaches look for to exploring programs beyond the most familiar names, this episode offers valuable insight for junior golfers and parents navigating the next step in their golf journey.
Watch FCG Weekly Episode 2 below.
What Is CAMPUS?
CAMPUS was created to help junior golfers and their families explore college golf opportunities that align with their playing ability, academic interests, and personal preferences.
As Alex Weber explains, there are thousands of college golf programs, but most families are familiar with only a small fraction of them. CAMPUS brings player information and college program details together to help families discover schools they might otherwise overlook.
The goal is to make the college search more informed and help players find programs where they can pursue their education while continuing to develop as golfers.
Players and parents can create a free player profile on CAMPUS to begin exploring their options.
Recruiting vs. Discovery: Why Both Matter
One of the key topics discussed in Episode 2 is the difference between recruiting and discovery.
Recruiting often focuses on the process of connecting with coaches, communicating interest, sharing tournament results, and pursuing opportunities with specific programs. Discovery is about learning what opportunities exist in the first place.
For many families, the discovery process can open up an entirely new perspective on college golf.
A player might be focused on a handful of well-known Division I schools without realizing that a Division II, Division III, or NAIA program could offer a better overall fit. The right opportunity might be at a school the player has never heard of, with the academic program, campus environment, and competitive experience they are looking for.
Keeping an open mind can help families uncover more possibilities.
What Do College Golf Coaches Look For?
Tournament scores are important, but they are only one part of a player’s profile.
During the conversation, Alex and Chris discuss how coaches evaluate junior golfers and why it is important for players to show more than a scoring average.
Coaches may consider a player’s academic performance, tournament history, consistency, maturity, attitude, and ability to respond to challenges. Seeing a player compete can also reveal qualities that statistics alone cannot communicate.
Chris emphasizes the importance of being mindful of social media, too. A player’s online presence can contribute to the impression they make, making it important to represent themselves appropriately both on and off the course.
For junior golfers, the takeaway is simple: build a strong body of work. Continue developing your game, take academics seriously, compete consistently, and demonstrate the qualities that make you a good teammate and potential college student-athlete.
Your Tournament Rounds Tell a Story
A tournament round gives coaches an opportunity to see how a player handles the realities of competition.
Beyond the scorecard, coaches can observe confidence, maturity, decision-making, body language, and how a player responds after a difficult hole or challenging stretch.
This is why a player’s overall tournament history matters. A difficult round does not have to define a player, just as one exceptional performance does not tell the whole story.
Showing how you compete over time can help coaches better understand your potential and approach to the game.
Finding the Right College Fit
One of the biggest questions families ask is, “Where can my son or daughter play college golf?”
As the discussion highlights, answering that question requires looking beyond scores alone.
The right fit may depend on several factors, including:
- Playing ability: How does your current scoring and tournament experience compare with the level of competition at a school?
- Academics: Does the college offer the majors or academic programs that interest you?
- Location: Do you want to stay close to home or explore a different part of the country?
- Campus environment: Would you prefer a large university, a smaller college, or a particular type of campus community?
- Team opportunities: What does the current roster look like, and how realistic are your opportunities to compete?
- Long-term goals: How does the school fit your plans for college, golf, and life after graduation?
There is no single college experience that works for every player. Taking time to explore these factors can help families make more informed decisions about where to focus their recruiting efforts.
What If You Are Not Ready for Division I Golf?
Another important topic in Episode 2 is the possibility of taking a different route through college golf.
Not every player will be ready to compete at their preferred level immediately after high school. Starting at a smaller college or a program where a player has an opportunity to compete and develop may be worth considering.
For some athletes, transferring to another program later could become an option as their game, academic goals, and circumstances evolve.
A transfer is never guaranteed to lead to a particular opportunity, and every player needs to evaluate their options carefully. However, families should understand that the college golf journey does not always follow a straight line.
Exploring different levels and pathways can help players find an opportunity to continue competing while pursuing their education.
How Early Should Families Start Exploring College Golf?
The college search does not have to begin with a list of dream schools or an immediate push to contact coaches. Early exploration can simply mean learning about the different divisions, researching academic programs, and understanding what various colleges offer.
In Episode 2, Alex discusses how players can begin discovering programs that align with their interests. CAMPUS allows players to build a profile, enter academic information, and identify preferences for their college experience to start exploring potential matches.
This can be a useful starting point for families who are not yet sure which schools or levels of competition to consider.
As players progress, they can continue refining their search and learning more about programs that fit their goals.
How to Get Started on CAMPUS
Families interested in exploring college golf opportunities can begin by creating a free CAMPUS player profile.
The process allows players to share information about their golf game, academics, and college preferences, helping them start discovering programs that may be a good match.
To get started:
- Create a free player profile on CAMPUS.
- Add your academic information and golf background.
- Identify the types of colleges and programs that interest you.
- Explore potential matches, including schools you may not have previously considered.
- Continue researching programs to determine which opportunities best align with your goals.
Visit gocampus.io to create your profile and begin exploring.
Golf Is a Game of Discovery
One of the most important messages from Episode 2 is that families should remain open to discovering new opportunities.
It is easy to focus on familiar schools or assume there is only one path to playing college golf. But every player’s journey is different, and the right opportunity may look different from what they initially imagined.
By exploring a wider range of programs, understanding what coaches value, and considering the complete college experience, junior golfers can make more informed decisions about their future.
As Greg Dumlao reinforces in the episode, golf is a game of discovery. That mindset applies to the recruiting process, too.
Watch FCG Weekly Episode 2
In this episode, Chris Smeal, PGA, Greg Dumlao, and Alex Weber explore the college golf recruiting process, the importance of finding the right fit, and how junior golfers can uncover opportunities beyond their initial list of schools.
Watch the full conversation to hear their insights and learn more about how CAMPUS is helping players and families explore the college golf landscape.
Watch the episode above or listen to FCG Weekly on Spotify.
Explore CAMPUS at gocampus.io and visit Future Champions Golf to learn more about FCG tournaments and opportunities for junior golfers.