COLLEGE GOLFER SPOTLIGHT - JACE GALLINGTON

NTPGA • June 29, 2018

COLLEGE GOLFER SPOTLIGHT - JACE GALLINGTON

As many of you know, our motto here at the NTPGA Junior Tour is #WHOSNEXT ®. The NTPGA Junior Tour is well represented by its alumni on the PGA, Web.com and LPGA Tours. Currently, there are 22 former Junior Tour members competing professionally including Jordan Spieth, Cody Gribble, Ryan Palmer, Angela Stanford, Brittany Lang and many more.

 

But, our #WHOSNEXT® motto doesn’t just apply to future professional golfers. It applies to our former members currently showcasing their talents at the collegiate level all across the country.

 

In this bi-monthly blog series, we will be featuring former Junior Tour members who are currently playing golf. Every other week we’ll check out what they had to say about their time playing on the NTPGA Junior Tour, and gain some insight into what it’s like to play college golf.

 

We know it is the goal of many of our current members to move on to play golf in college. Are you the next college golfer? #WHOSNEXT®


Jace Gallington - NTPGA Junior Tour Member 2010 - 2014

Recent Graduate from The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Finance Major

Graduating in May 2018

 

Q: What are your post graduation plans?

     A: I hope to possibly play mini tours or work for a local company.

 

Q: How old were you when you became an NTPGA Junior Tour Member?

     A: 12 years old

 

Q: What was the biggest thing you learned while you were a part of the NTPGA Junior Tour?

     A: I learned that you need to put several good rounds together to win, and physical fitness is a big deal. Another big thing that I learned from my years through NTPGA is how important making smart decisions on the course is. I quickly learned when playing some of the higher-end courses that ‘gripping and ripping’ is not the greatest plan. This very much came in handy while playing college golf because I had to learn to think around the course.

 

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to current NTPGA Junior Tour members?

     A: Play as many multiple day events as possible as well as 36-holes in one day if you can. The college schedule is a grueling one, so play as often as possible. Another thing I recommend is practice as long or longer than a normal round. Practicing for 2 hours a day will make for streaky rounds. My best golf came once I became comfortable practicing and being on the course for 6 hours at a minimum.

 

Q: How did the NTPGA Junior Tour help prepare you for playing golf in college?

     A: It got me used to playing on many different styles of courses.

 

Q: Please describe what your personal golf recruiting process looked like.

     A: A lot of visits and usually a round of golf against some of the top players at the school. Also DO NOT wait for coaches to call you. Pound the pavement and contact them. The worst they can say is no. I personally made myself a website with details about my game and myself as a person, and sent it to every college I could find. 

 

Q: How does playing in college differ from the NTPGA Junior Tour?

     A: 36-holes in one day, fitness and strength are all very important. Another big part is that once you’ve reached this level you must be a self-starter. Your coach isn’t going to tell you to practice harder or tell you to stay longer. The most I ever got was suggestions on what to work on or a very loose plan for the week. If you aren’t self-motivated and can’t multitask then start preparing and learning how to. And one last thing, everyone can go low at anytime. Bring your A game every day. Of course there are going to be bad days, but don’t beat yourself up. Get up, dust yourself off, learn and move forward. 

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By Molly Rawlins • September 26, 2023
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By Steven Clements • July 6, 2023
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