Taking the next step

By Stan Olenik Editor-Publisher, The Golf Club

National Signing Day looks a little different depending on the sport. For football and basketball players, it’s often a made-for-TV moment — hats lined up on the table, cameras flashing, teammates cheering, and one final flourish as the right cap lands on their head.

Golfers, on the other hand, sign in a way that feels much closer to their game.

There’s no hat dance, no roar of the crowd. Instead, the scene is usually quiet — filled with hugs, big smiles, and a proud family crowding into the photo. Parents, brothers and sisters, even grandparents often make it into the frame.

Golfers rarely have three or four college hats in front of them. They don’t wear an oversized jersey from their new school. And instead of standing alone at center stage, they’re often seated beside classmates signing to play tennis, soccer, volleyball, or track. There are balloons, handshakes, maybe a few tears — but mostly, a sense of calm pride.

Under NCAA rules, Division I and II athletes not covered by the football or basketball signing periods can now make their commitments official — putting pen to paper for the next step in both golf and life.

Top Players Making Commitments

Erik Erlenkeuser, the 2023 Jay Haas Junior Player of the Year from T.L. Hanna, made an early commitment to Georgia Southern and is expected to sign.

Will Ruth, a two-time individual state champion with wins at The Blade, The Southern Cross, and The Creed, has committed to UNC Wilmington.

Caroline Hawkins, from Blythewood and the only four-time individual girls’ state champion in South Carolina high-school golf history, will sign with Clemson.

Celebrating the Moment

At The Golf Club and SCGolfClub.com, we’re celebrating with these student-athletes and their families. If you have a South Carolina junior golfer signing to play in college, we’d love to help share their story.

Send photos, signing-day highlights, and a few notes about their achievements — along with the names of family and coaches helping them celebrate — to 864-921-5471 or scgolfclub.com.high. We’ll post updates as often as possible to mark this special milestone in their lives.