Dear College Golf
Thank you.
I was scrolling across social media awhile back when I stumbled upon an interview. This middle aged man was asked about the best advice he had ever received. His response hit me in a unique way:
“What if it turns out better than you imagine?”
I can unequivocally say the experience of wearing the Miami “M” for the last five years exceeded my wildest dreams.
As everyone knows, the college recruiting process is a stressful one. Coaches are trying to find the next backbone of their program while prospective student-athletes are trying to find their home for the next chapter of their life.
The second I heard about Miami and Oxford, Ohio, I knew it was a special place. With the likes of north shore Chicago players like Patrick Flavin and Charlie Nikitas, there was something familiar that I really liked about the program and the school. After emailing Coach Zac Zedrick repeatedly, I scored a visit. My appreciation for small town Ohio grew on that July day, especially after having lunch with team member, J.D Fletcher.
The only problem was that I felt like a charity case at the time. With decent tournament success in the state of Illinois, getting an offer was still going to be a challenge. For whatever reason, two months later, I got the phone call the day before senior year of high school started, offering me a small but appreciated scholarship to Miami Golf.
Done deal.
Freshman year was definitely an awakening to the next level. The team’s first week of qualifying (this determines where we decide the 5 guys who are going to travel to the first few events) didn’t NOT go how I wanted. Finishing in 7th place out of the 8 rostered players, and the only freshman, I felt alone and insecure. Senior Cam Solomon, somehow understanding how I was feeling, took me to dinner the night before our second week. It changed my life. To be honest, I can’t remember what we discussed, but the act of him going out of his way for me lifted my spirits and dissolved some of the loneliness. As fate would have it, I shot 65 the next day to secure the 5th spot as we headed for University of Wisconsin.
I played decently throughout my freshman year. Playing in every event, I felt more comfortable each week as I learned to manage the balancing act between golf and academics . The year was highlighted by a trip to the Bahamas. Staying at Atlantis with my teammates and all of our families remains one of the highlights of the past five years.
Fast forward to March and COVID-19. Suddenly, our season, and the world, comes to a stop. Home we went with no MAC Championship to play for.
Sophomore year felt like a lot of the same. I honestly don’t remember it too well and don’t care to. The fall semester didn’t have a season due to the ongoing pandemic, but we definitely had fun as a team. Believe it or not, some of my favorite moments were wearing masks uptown sitting at a table that would’ve usually been the site of an adrenaline-fused mosh pit.
We returned to play at Sea Island that second semester, and it felt great. I was a couple of shots back of the lead going into the final round where I chucked up an 82. Not ideal, but figured it was something I could shake off in our next event. Coach didn’t think so, though, andI wasn’t picked for the lineup. I lost confidence, some swagger, and began to rethink my entire golf game.
I am happy I went through this period, but it was still very difficult.
I headed home that summer having played very little competitive golf, but ready to prove to myself that I could get out of my slump.
I did just that. Good finishes at the Illinois Am, Illinois Open and the Trans Miss in Minnesota made me feel like I got my groove back.
With that groove came the arrival of a new leader. Coach Zedrick took the associate head coaching job at Notre Dame, clearing the way for J.D. Fletcher. Yes, the player that had lunch with my parents and I on our recruiting visit was now going to be my coach. Pretty wild!
Along with the coaching change, we had a few contributing upperclassmen graduate, clearing the stage for me to be a leader. With 3 remaining years of eligibility, I spaced out some credits and poured everything into RedHawk Golf.
With a new coach that junior year, our team struggled to find its groove, but myself and Jack Ebner had successful seasons as we were named to the All-MAC Second Team. My year on the course was highlighted with a 65 at Purdue’s Kampen course, a notoriously hard venue.
After another decent summer, I came back into my fourth year fired up. However, that fall didn’t go to plan. Are you seeing the theme here?!
Struggling with my driver and love for the game at some points, it was difficult to soak in the incredible places we played. At the top of that list was Liberty National, where I ultimately found out my driver was cracked, making predictable ball flight close to impossible. Again, another learning experience.
After a reset over January, I played great golf that second semester, racking up 3 top 5’s and almost winning the MAC Championship. I tallied another All-MAC Second Team and was looking forward to the upcoming year, where I would be the standalone leader. The summer would include a spot in the US Am, with Coach by my side, as my caddy.
My final year in Oxford has been more than I could’ve asked for. Being depended on by both Coach Fletcher and my teammates is a responsibility I have enjoyed. We had a great season on the course, with our best chance to win the conference since 2015.
Although we finished a few shots short, the program is TRENDING, and I am so excited to see what the boys do over the next five years.
So, did it turn out better than I imagined?
Without a doubt. On the golf course, definitely. But I won’t remember my time at Miami because of the golf.
It has been the people I have met along the way that have made these past 5 years the best yet.
Becoming friends with people from all over the world. Sharing moments of bliss on Wednesdays at Brick Street, listening to Mitchell Tenpenny or Corey Kent. Having the whole team together, sitting on the golf house couch, and spewing nonsense about the past week. Spirited Sunday’s with football in the background or Jack Herceg manning the grill with some Bob Evans mashed potatoes.
These moments, and much more, are ones I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you, College Golf, Not for the golf accolades (All-MAC first team in my final year is a highlight), or the good shots (and others I am happy to forget), but for the relationships I have made.
With Love and Honor,
Danny Fisher
