Notoriety helps college golf teams

It would appear that the Peach State is the new cradle of professional golfers. Add to the equation the success of reigning NCAA champion Augusta State, which has produced Ryder Cup members Vaughn Taylor (2006) and Oliver Wilson (2008), and the case becomes even stronger.

"It's definitely a point of pride for the program," said Georgia coach Chris Haack.

But as nice as the notoriety may be for the schools, does it really help? Is it a big deal when a player with a Bulldog headcover or a Yellow Jacket embroidered on a golf bag is shown on national television? You bet it does, say the coaches, who agree that the added attention helps when it comes to notoriety, recruiting players and funding the program.

"You couldn't buy enough TV time to promote the school like that," Heppler said.

In Tech's case, having successful professionals helps it offset negative recruiting. Sometimes schools competing with Tech for the same recruit mention the school's difficult curriculum and its urban setting as negatives. Heppler is able to reverse the charges by pointing to success stories like Cink and Kuchar.

"Why wouldn't you want to learn how to think and reason and make decisions," Heppler said. "The PGA Tour is not a place for a joker. It's a job and it's work and it requires discipline. Matt learned how to take care of himself. Stewart learned how to take care of himself. Their success brings some credibility to the program we're trying to run."

Haack also expects his recruiting efforts to be helped by having a Bulldog in the Ryder Cup matches. Watson returned to school to finish his degree two years ago and is now proud of claim his UGA heritage. Having a popular player such as Watson fronting for his school doesn't hurt.

"For no other reason than people know about the program and what's going on," Haack said. "It might open the door for a kid who hasn't necessarily been thinking about Georgia. It gives us a little more identity."

Augusta State coach Josh Gregory said his school may get the biggest boost in recruiting just from the standpoint of name recognition.

"Places like Georgia or South Carolina don't really need the help with name recognition," he said. "But for a school with a small budget, when we have players in the Ryder Cup, it gives us an identity. You see guys in the Ryder Cup and you can't help but say we're doing something right."

The Ryder Cup can be a financial boon for colleges, too. A charitable gift of $50,000 is given in the name of each player to the institution of their choice. Cink designated his money to Georgia Tech and Watson designated his to Georgia. Kuchar gave his to the Coastal College of Georgia, a school in Brunswick that started a golf program this fall.

The coaches agree that the presence of high profile players also encourages donors to continue writing checks to support the program. While coaches say there is no data to quantify the theory, they agree that supporters are more likely to keep giving if the results warrant it.

"When people who have given over the years see people like Stewart or Matt on TV, they get a sense of incredible pride," Heppler said. "It it wasn't for their support, we couldn't do it. They know they have a part in what Matt Kuchar does, because they've been a part of it."

Haack said the success of notable players "helps validate where the program is and creates more interest. I don't know if the support spikes up, but it keeps it steady."