Committed to guiding young golfers on their college journey, they’re ready to provide invaluable insights and help players access the information they need to succeed.
CEO
Rich's philosophy on college placement is centered around finding the "best fit" for each player and family based on their priorities in finding a school. This is a critical step in the college placement process and often overlooked. With over 6 years of experience as a Division 1 coach, Rich has seen hundreds of recruits go through this process and knows what it takes to play at every level (Division 1, Division 2+3 and NAIA).
With over 10 years of experience in college golf as a coach, player, and AJGA employee, I wanted to help junior golfers find the best fit for college golf based on their unique preferences.
My focus is on finding the "best fit" for each player and family, considering their academic, athletic, and social priorities to create a list of well-suited target schools.
I'm proud to be one of the AJGA's College Golf Advisors, further assisting junior golfers in their college journey
I've coached at West Point and Seton Hall, raising team rankings and developing top recruiting classes. I also coached All-Region players and Patriot League Tournament champions.
Coach
JP van der Walt joins College Golf Guide with a successful track record as a collegiate coach. Most recently coaching three seasons as the assistant coach for the College of Charleston Men’s golf program. After stints at Augusta University and Columbus State University, van der Walt joins College Golf Guide with more than 10 years of collegiate coaching experience working with both men's and women's golf programs. He also played professional golf from 2009-2014 and played collegiate golf at Central Alabama Community College 2005-2007 and Columbus State University 2007-2009. Other career highlights include caddying on the LPGA Tour, PGA Tour, and DP World tour.
I have had an extremely rewarding coaching career filled with tons of awesome memories and highlights. My highlights include winning 6 Conference Championships, and helping guide Broc Everett to winning the NCAA Division I national championship in 2018. Most importantly I have been lucky enough to help college golfers navigate through their individual college experiences.
Finding a college that is the 'best fit' for you is not always easy, and I enjoy helping juniors and their families throughout this daunting journey.
I highly encourage juniors to communicate well with coaches, make sure you stay persistent and continue showing your level of interest. Coaches will be looking to make a connection with who you are, and it is very important that you be yourself and not who you think the Coach wants you to be.
It is very important to understand each person's wants and needs. I make sure to connect with you, and build my guidance around your goals helping you find the 'best fit'.
Most juniors want to know how to get recruited. The most important thing is to know who you are and what you are looking for in a college. You need to be a very good communicator, because your recruitment process will mostly rely on your communication with a coach. Coaches will most likely gauge their level of interest on whether they find a connection with the way you are communicating and interact with them.
The College Golf Guide contains valuable data on every 4-yr & 2-yr mens & womens intercollegiate golf program in the U.S
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