Despite the abundance of resources that Citrus College has to offer, the golf squads are in an ongoing struggle to recruit players for the women’s team.
“Women’s golf is a fickle sport because it is tough to recruit as there’s not a lot of women’s players,” said Julian “Trip” Horton, coach for both men’s and women’s golf at Citrus.
Even a driving range with both grass and mats, a chipping area with a bunker, a 2,500 sq. ft. putting green, and a 14-year veteran coach are not enough to have recruits swarming in.
Coach Horton sent a calling-all-golfers email to the college in an effort to attract students.
The email said the team is “looking for a few new players for this year’s squad.”
“Making memories” and “enhancing the experience” are noted as perks for joining the golf team at Citrus.
The Owls tee-off their season at the South Coast Classic with just four players on the active roster on Aug. 26. The minimum number of players allowed for a team to compete and score is four.
Recruits are few and far between this season for coach Horton.
“The recruits are out there, but it just fluctuates,” Horton said. “Some years are better than others, but women’s golf is getting more popular.”
Horton offered insight as to why he believes there is a recruiting predicament for the women’s golf team.
“Citrus is very much a commuter school,” he said. “A lot of people that go to Citrus get here, get out of the car, get in class, get out of class, go to their car and they are gone.”
In addition, coach Horton said he wishes that students would take advantage of their resources beyond going to class.
“This is what community college is for,” Horton said. “We are trying to help and we want the kids to see what we have. Come enjoy it.”
Another issue that coach Horton connects with the lack of recruiting is that frequently students do not think they possess the skills that are necessary to play golf at the collegiate level.
“People should try to take advantage of what we have here if they have any background in golf even if they are a beginner,” he said. “I’ve taken a lot of beginners and turned them into really decent golfers.”
Skill level is not a requirement to join the team but a basic comprehension of the game is necessary.
With two more spots open coach Horton is ready for any competition.
“I have four women’s golfers this season and a team is six,” Horton said. “So, I am going to be able to at least score a team this season. It was a tough recruiting year and I’m not the only one who’s down, too.”
Sophomore golfer Molly Montell added that joining the golf team has helped her educational and personal goals.
“Golf has helped me with time management and I gained a lot of friends here, lifelong ones that will be around forever,” Montell said. “They help me with school, studying and stuff which has been a big help.”
Horton has also made a lasting impact on his athletes.
“Trip is cool, teaches us everything we need to know,” Montell said. “He has really helped me out in everything.”
Horton and his players agree, golf is about gaining friends, making memories and enhancing the college experience, as well as putting and driving.
Students occasionally miss those experiences when they are not part of a team.
“They don’t get that experience of what college life could be about– being part of a team and making friends,” Horton said. “I have two players from awhile ago, [who] are like best friends now. One is in Hawaii playing and one is in Oakland playing and I see them on Facebook and they talk all the time.”
When asked what she would say to anyone nervous about trying out for a sport, Montell said “Just do it.”
With only four players on the roster, the team is short handed but ready for the upcoming season.
The Owls first tournament begins, at 11 a.m. on Aug. 26, at the Olivas Golf Links in Ventura, California.
