Junior golf was one of the most fun times of my golf career. I was fortunate to play all cross the country in junior golf but some of my most memorable moments were in high school golf. I was never on a good team until my senior year so we just really enjoyed the time we spent together and had great times on and off the course without having too much pressure to play great golf. Also, I played some really good golf in high school so it was a good lesson for me-my best golf is when I am having fun. Golf is such an individual sport that it makes you really appreciate the times you are able to be on a team. Unfortunately, we never won a state title but my senior year we finished second at state and two of my best friends were on that team.

Off the course, the most memorable moment was when I signed my letter of intent to play at Oklahoma State University. So much hard work and dedication had paid off for such a large goal of mine since I was in grade school. My parents, family, and friends had sacrificed so much over the years for me to have that opportunity and it was such a cool day to see all the people that showed up to support me.

It was the beginning of a great opportunity and I was excited to work hard and become a great cowboy but that one day was a chance for me to soak in everything and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

I am now a professional golfer trying to make the web.com and PGA tour and I still look back on my junior golf days and much of the golfer I am now is due to the things I learned in junior golf. Had there been a college golf camp near me I would’ve utilized that to my advantage in becoming a better player before I got to college. Having the ability to spend time with college coaches and former college players would have been extremely benefitting to my career and my development as well. You can never learn enough and especially from people that have experience with what you are striving to do.

I am currently on week two of a four week road trip so wish me luck and I look forward to checking in again soon.

Fairways and greens,

Talor Gooch

College Golf Camps has incorporated the use of TrackMan Combine to help identify strengths and weaknesses with junior golfers. The TrackMan Combine is quickly becoming the standard benchmarking tool when evaluating junior golfers. This assessment allows you to compare your game to your peers, college players, LPGA and PGA tour players.

The Combine consists of 60 shots. Players hit six shots to nine different targets at 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 yards, plus six drives. Each yardage is scored so that the player knows their strengths and weakness. A practice and improvement plan can then be developed based on the results.

Learn More at TrackMan TV

Junior Golf Mentor – Casey Grice

My first memorable junior golf moment takes me back to June 2007 – the summer before my sophomore year of high school. This tournament was my 1^st AJGA open event. I was so excited and I wanted my equipment to be in perfect condition for the week of the tournament so I had all of my clubs regripped the week before. On hole #1 – the rain comes – a torrential downpour that did not let up and quickly my new grips were soaked. I have never owned a pair of rain gloves at this point (that has changed) and I cannot hold onto my clubs AT ALL. In fact, the rain seemed to have caused an oily substance to seep out of the grips. I tried to grip down, hold the shaft, wrap a towel around the grip, not wear my glove, swing easy – nothing worked. My golf clubs sailed into trees, down the fairway, you name it – the clubs would not stay in my hands. Finally, I tap in on the 18^th hole with a humbling 105 and my highest competitive round of golf – not how I pictured my first AJGA open event. The heavy rains caused the cancellation of the tournament the next day after 9 holes but I did come back and card a 40 for my last nine holes on a flooded course with new grips.

Lessons learned from this experience:

· Never take yourself and situations too seriously – learn to laugh

· Always be prepared

· Never, ever give up!

A second memorable moment shows a more positive side of my golf achievements. Not even a year later after the 105 debacle, my high school golf team qualified for the state tournament for the first time. In front of family and friends we are able to represent not only our high school but also our hometown at the Texas State Championship. My team posted a top 5 finish and I won the Texas 5A Girls State Championship as a sophomore. It was also my first time to ever shoot in the 60’s in a competitive event. I know that the perseverance I had to make it through the 105 and then get back to work played a major role in elevating my game to the next level. There were so many moments in junior golf that have shaped me into the golfer I am today. These memories were formed through both high and low moments but all of them include great friends, coaches and family – I am very thankful for my junior golf experience and I see how important the process and my response to those experiences have helped shape me into the golfer and person I am today.

College Golf Camps would have been a great opportunity for me had they been available. Connecting with college coaches was hard at first especially since I did not qualify for the bigger junior golf tournaments until the summer before my junior year of high school. Coaches want to see junior golfers play and through trial and error we learned ways that worked for our family. College golf camps give junior golfers today that connection and starting point without the trial and error. Having a way to network with over 18 different college coaches at one camp is a huge asset during those critical years. In addition, the ability to play with competitive female golfers from around the country and to assess and compare my current skills with theirs would have been a very useful and motivational tool for me as well.

As I write this blog, I am actually in Mesa, AZ preparing for my first two tournaments on the Symetra Tour. I will be competing in Arizona this week and California next week. I am very excited to get the season started! After these two events, I will be back home in Texas before the next swing of events in Florida during March. Follow along for results and more blogs to come in the future!

Judgment Matters was started by Dawn Woodard in 2012 with the idea that she could apply her experience as a competitive golfer and her knowledge as a Certified Judgment Index Consultant, to help golfers and athletes in general develop a better understanding of how their decision making processes impact their performance in competition. This thinking led her to believe she could apply what she has learned to help golfers at all levels, as well as help coaches and instructors work with their players to maximize their ability to help them improve.

Dawn is the President of Judgment Matters. She is a three time USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Medalist, two time USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur Quarter finalist, three time USGA Women’s State Team Participant, two time Carolina’s Women’s Match Play Champion, recipient of the 2012,2013, and 2014 Tuft’s Award for Player of the Year in the Carolinas, five time South Carolina Women’s Match Play Champion, and five time South Carolina Women’s Stroke Play Champion. Her clients include several men’s and women’s collegiate teams, tour players on the Symetra Tour and the LPGA, and many other competitive amateur golfers, including several past USGA Champions. She also works with instructors and sports psychologists and has done presentations and seminars as part of the continuing education program within the PGA sections.

www.judgmentmatters.org

Casey Grice who is currently playing on the Symetra Tour has joined the College Golf Camps – Junior Golf Mentors program. Casey Spent three years at University of North Carolina where she graduated with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She also won the inaugural ANNIKA Academy Elite Athlete Award in 2014.

Casey will help add another layer for junior golfers. When her schedule allows she will be attending CGC events to help junior golf families wade their way through the challenges of junior golf.

Learn more about Casey at www.caseygrice.com

College Golf Camps®Becomes Silver Partner of The First Tee

College Golf Camps of America, LLC is proud to announce that we have become a Silver Partner of The First Tee, a youth development organization that helps young, people develop character through the game of golf. Through the partnership, The First Tee chapters will have the opportunity to collaborate directly with College Golf Camps®to assist in providing extraordinary junior golf camp experience.

Developed in 2013, College Golf Camps of America (CGC) is the first privately operated multi-college junior golf prospect camp in the world. Under NCAA guidelines, CGC has contracted nearly 100 college golf coaches and provide a never seen before platform of opportunity. These junior golf prospect camps allow college coaches to instruct, evaluate, clinician and interact with junior golfers from all over the world.

CGC offers a number of junior golf prospect camps around the country.

“The First Tee offers a wonderful platform for all junior golfers to learn valuable life lessons through the game of golf. We’re pleased to collaborate with The First Tee with junior golf camps.” says College Golf Camps™, President Nick Rook. “CGC has established a new opportunity to all junior golf families looking for exposure to college golf. There is no other junior golf camp where junior golfers have the opportunity to learn from 18 major college coaches.”

About The First Tee

The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and at other youth-serving locations.

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 10.5 million young people in all 50 United States and select International locations. The First Tee’s Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.

To learn more about The First Tee, visit www.thefirsttee.org

*All CGC Junior Golf Prospect Camps are open to any and all entrants limited only by number, gender and age. The camp does not select participants on an invitation-only basis or reserve spots for specific prospects. CGC operates on a first-come, first-serve basis for all College Golf Camps™.

Meet Joe College. Joe College is the foremost expert in Junior Golf Camps. Joe College will be presenting new and exciting concepts within junior golf camps. Please see his introductory video.

College Golf Camps®is on a never ending quest to provide more layers of opportunity to junior golfers and parents. We continue to research and analyze trends in the junior golf market in effort to assist junior golfers in being exposed to the world of college golf. By taking an outside-the-box approach to improving the College Golf Camps experience, we are aiming to increase the value for both juniors and their families.

In 2015, College Golf Camps®will continue to offer our National Junior Golf Prospect Camps which feature 18 NCAA Division I coaches from around the country at each junior golf camp. These camps have provided a tremendous opportunity for junior golfers and parents to learn from college golf coaches and to gain exposure to college golf.

*All CGC Junior Golf Prospect Camps are open to any and all entrants limited only by number, gender and age. The camp does not select participants on an invitation-only basis or reserve spots for specific prospects. CGC operates on a first-come, first-serve basis for all College Golf Camps™.

College Golf Camps®is excited to announce the addition of the following junior golf prospect development camp opportunities:

– CGC One Day Intensity Junior Golf Prospect Camps

– CGC Regional Junior Golf Prospect Camps

– CGC Academic Junior Golf Prospect Camp

– CGC Big 5 Junior Golf Prospect Camp

CGC One Day Intensity Junior Golf Prospect Camps

With all of the benefits of the original College Golf Camps®format, campers are able to highlight their skills and work directly with college coaches. Junior golf campers will maximize their time with some of the finest college golf programs in the country. This one day, 10-hour program uses the concept of intensity intended to develop junior golfers into the players they desire to be. Space will be extremely limited and will be first-come, first-serve basis.

These unique one-day experiences will focus on all facets of the game including full swing, short game, putting, course management, sports psychology, nutrition and physical fitness. The schedule will include NCAA workshops for an educational look at transition to college golf. The morning is devoted skill development using multiple approaches to enhance your skill-set. Afternoons will consist of competition, course management and pre-tournament practice rounds. Lunch, snacks and refreshments will be provided to all participants.

Campers will play 18 holes of competition with the host school being guided through the entire round. Parents are encouraged to participate in the development workshops with exception of the 18-hole competition.

All CGC One Day Junior Golf Prospect Camps will maintain a 2 to 1 camper to coach ratio to ensure a safe and premium instructional experience. The cost of these one day events will range from $295 – $495. This is a great way to experience what it’s like to practice like a college golfer.

*Each junior golf camper will receive a written evaluation from the host university coach.

CGC Regional Junior Golf Prospect Camps

Junior golf campers will receive all the benefits of the College Golf Camps®format, only these CGC events will be regionally based and will feature two days of instruction, drills, competition and interaction. The mission of the CGC Regional Junior Golf Prospect Camps is to develop the campers’ golf skills through direct instruction from elite college coaches.

CGC Regional events will include two to three NCAA Division I coaches and seven to nine NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA coaches. Overall the regional events will have a total of 10-12 college golf coaches. The cost of our regional events will range from $895 – $995. CGC will conduct regional events in the following cities Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, Detroit, Scottsdale and Seattle.

CGC will maintain a 6 to 1 camper to coach ratio. CGC will limit the number of campers to 60, accepting campers on a first-come, first-serve basis.

*Each junior golf camper will receive three written evaluations from the CGC College Coaching Staff.

CGC Academic Junior Golf Prospect Camps

College Golf Camps®will only offer one CGC – Academic opportunity in 2015. Many junior golfers have high academic standards and want college experience that includes golf. Our CGC – Academic Camp will incorporate college golf coaches from the top academic institutions in the United States. This three-day camp will provide exposure to college golf at the elite academic programs. Our CGC – Academic Camps will follow a similar format as our classic three-day vents, however, this camp will offer workshops that focus heavily on the academic element.

*Each junior golf camper will receive three written evaluations from the CGC College Coaching Staff.

CGC Big 5 Junior Golf Prospect Camps

This is one of College Golf Camps®most thrilling experiences yet. We will host just one CGC – Big 5 Camp in 2015. This will be a one-shot opportunity limited to first 50 male and 50 female junior golfers.

This junior golf camp concept will feature 10 women’s coaches and 10 men’s coaches from the Big 5 Conferences in College Athletics, totaling 20 college golf coaches. CGC will host two different college coaches from each of the following conferences: SEC, PAC 12, ACC, BIG TEN and BIG 12. Junior golf campers will be separated by gender.

CGC – Big 5 will offer an inside look at the dynamics of team play, match-play and the spirit of competition. This event will include many elements of the classic CGC format while also incorporating 18 holes of stroke play and four 9-hole matches. Campers will receive all the classic instructional components of our camps, including the opportunity to learn how to compete in match-play and team concepts.

Each camper will be assigned to a college coach from each university. Each team will consist of five junior golfers. Junior golf campers and college coaches will train together, eat together, play together, learn together and participate in daily team meetings together. Imagine being part of a five person team with a Head Golf Coach from one of the Big 5 Conferences. Experience the thrill of being a part of a closely-knit team.

Each junior golf camper will receive instruction and learn from some of the most premier college golf teams in the country. Learnwhat makes them great, experience the thrill of team competition and most of all develop your junior golf skills through exceptional instruction.

*Each junior golf camper will receive five written evaluations from the CGC College Coaching Staff.

How does College Golf Camps®do it?

We contract the coaches to be instructors, clinicians, evaluators, observe and interact with the campers under strict NCAA guidelines. CGC sets out to offer an experience unlike any other, bringing a realistic experience to aspiring junior golfers from across the United States. We list the coaches’ names that will be attending the camp and encourage you to reach out to them and ask about their involvement. Unlike other events, you may contact our coaches to verify their attendance at our camps.

We’re excited to welcome former Oklahoma State All-American Talor Gooch to the CGC team. Talor played 4 years for cowboys and brings a wealth of experience that will surely benefit junior golfers . He will be apart of the CGC Junior Golf Mentorship Program. When Talor is not busy with his professional playing schedule, he will be joining us from time to time at our camps. Talor will contribute in many ways to the CGC program including interviews, experiences, blog posts, clinician, instructor, etc.

Talor had a decorated junior golf and college golf career!!

More about Talor Gooch, CGC Junior Golf Mentor
Graduated from Oklahoma State University with degree in Education
Hometown: Midwest City, Oklahoma
Former NCAA All-American
College scoring average 71.70
Drained a 30-footer in playoff to send the Cowboys to the NCAA finals
Graduated high school Valedictorian
At the age of 9, won the US Kids World Golf Championship at Pinehurst

contact Talor at talor@collegegolfcamps.com