Courtesy photo
Ben James
FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
By
Lance Ringler
It has become very common for junior golfers to not only begin the college recruiting process early in their high-school career, but commit to a college as an underclassman.
The trend keeps getting younger – some players are even doing it in junior high school.
Brad Dalke was 12 years old in the summer of 2010, and entering the seventh grade, when he announced a verbal commitment to play college golf at Oklahoma.
Dalke has been trumped by a full year. Last month, 11-year-old Ben James of Milford, Conn., told Connecticut head coach Dave Pezzino he plans to carry a UConn bag beginning in the fall of 2021.
James has been playing golf since he learned to walk and has a lengthy resume that belies his age.
Since those early tournaments, James has played in U.S. Kids Golf regionals everywhere from Arizona to Georgia, and has won five in a row.
He won the 2013 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship after posting a 14-under 54-hole total from 5,480 yards. This past summer, he placed second at the event with a 6-under total from 5,800 yards. He shot a bogey-free 66 in the second round.
The sixth-grader, who attends East Shore Middle School in Milford, Conn., has played in five Callaway Junior World Championships and has three top-10 finishes in his age division.
“I think it’s going to be really fun to play on a team instead of as an individual because that’s how I play – it would be fun to have a team,” said James, who is a Connecticut basketball and football fan.
“(Pezzino) is a great coach and fun to be around. The campus was beautiful and he showed me the workout room and practice facility. It was a really nice visit.”
James also made unofficial visits to Wake Forest and Duke and spoke with South Carolina and Clemson.
James’ father, Don, is an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University, a Division I school located in Fairfield, Conn., and member of the Northeast Conference.
“We see it as all positive, and he stays local and we will be able to watch him,” Don James said.
“We have thought about it. It is an educational fit for us. Dave (Pezzino) is a great guy and coach. Ben will be close to home and we like to watch him play golf.”
When asked what might happen if his son would turn into a top player in his class and other opportunities present themselves, Don James said, “We would have to take a look at that time, but we are very comfortable with it right now.”
Verbal commitments are just that. There is no binding contract and while most pan out, there is no guarantee on either side.
“Dave extended a great offer and guaranteed a spot on the team and scholarship will be determined later,” Don James said. “Coach said he would take care of that when the time was appropriate.”
James, who says Merion Golf Club is his favourite course and Patrick Reed his favourite player, is a straight-A student. When he isn’t playing golf or studying, he takes part in an activity called parkour, which can be described as modern-day gymnastics. James can walk the full length of a basketball court on his hands, which he did at Gampel Pavilion on his unofficial visit to Storrs.
James’ nickname, which was given to him when he was a 7-year-old attending the David Leadbetter IMG Camp, may be the best descriptor for his game. Friends call him “Flusher” for his ability to hit the ball purely.
As for other hobbies? This 11-year-old says he doesn’t have a lot.
“There is really no fun with me,” he said. “I do a lot of school work. I am a straight-A student. But, I do love to travel and fly on airplanes.”
Labels: US COLLEGES
