Julian Geiger (top left) with the team on the Swilcan Bridge at St. Andrews in August 2023
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Men’s Golf Announces Endowment of its Future Foreign Tours
12/22/2023 12:00:00 PM | Men's Golf
“Few moments within our program rival this experience – it’s life-altering for our student-athletes.”
NEW YORK — Columbia University's Director of Golf and Head Men's Coach, Rich Mueller, announced the endowment of the men's golf team's future foreign tours by Julian Geiger '67CC, '70BUS. "Few moments within our program rival this special experience – it's life-altering for our student-athletes," Mueller said.
This past August, the Columbia men's golf team embarked on a foreign tour to Scotland sponsored by Mr. Geiger – it was the fourth time in 13 years that he had done so, as the NCAA restricts such tours to once every four years. On this iteration, the Lions played world-renowned courses, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, North Berwick, KingsBarns, The Jubilee Course, Dumbarnie Links, Gullane and Kinggarock (Hickory Sticks).
"Julian Geiger, an unwavering supporter of our program, mentor to so many of our kids and myself, and life-lesson teacher, has given his time, talent, and treasure to our program in a unique fashion. He conceived of, and brought to fruition, a foreign tour experience for our student-athletes like none other. And now, through his generosity, Julian has created an endowment that ensures this opportunity will live on forever and be available to all future Columbia men's golfers," stated Mueller.
"As meaningful as it is to me to contribute to the personal development of generations of Columbia student-athletes, it is even more rewarding to do so while honoring my father," Mr. Geiger said. "The lessons that I learned from my parents, in conjunction with a Columbia education, created the platform for the life of growth and accomplishment that I have been privileged to have."
The genesis of the Scotland trip came after Mr. Geiger, a Lion golfer during his undergraduate days, was participating in the 2009 Alumni Outing, and was reminiscing with classmates about his experience as a student-athlete. Mr. Geiger recounted his experiences as a Lion and how the lessons he learned on and off the golf course influenced and enhanced his life well beyond graduation. Julian, inspired to recreate similar opportunities for the current players, founded the inaugural foreign tour and The Geiger Trophy tournament in 2010. Named in honor of his father, Howard W. Geiger, the Geiger Trophy was established to commemorate Howard's generous and extensive efforts on behalf of the University during his tenure as Chairman of the Parents' Committee of the Columbia College Fund from 1963-1967.
"Since its inception in early 1896, Columbia golf has been more than scoring averages, individual accolades, or finishes in the Ivy League Championship. It is the field in which men build their character, develop their virtues, come to know themselves, and dare to achieve at least some small experience of greatness," Mueller added. "It is, therefore, a natural progression in thought to yearn for the "Birthplace of Golf," where these aspirations became synonymous with golf. This is precisely why the inaugural foreign tour was held in Scotland in 2010; no stage could better suit these two firsts."
The Geiger Trophy
The Geiger Trophy winner is determined using both Stableford and match play formats. The Stableford portion is conducted over a pre-determined 54 holes, usually nearer the front end of the trip. Then, the top two Stableford scorers, after three rounds, advance to a match play final, customarily played on the last day. The Geiger Trophy Champion is presented with the Geiger trophy at dinner on the final evening. Previous winners of The Geiger Trophy include Clark Granum (2010), Arjuna Anday (2014), Arjun Puri (2018), and Nathan Han (2023).
In addition to many of the courses played in 2023, previous trips have also included such courses as Portmarnock, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Port Stewart, Western Gailes, Turnberry, Royal Troon, Musselburgh, The Castle Course, and Old Prestwick. The next trip is scheduled for August 2027.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's golf, follow @CULionsMGolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
This past August, the Columbia men's golf team embarked on a foreign tour to Scotland sponsored by Mr. Geiger – it was the fourth time in 13 years that he had done so, as the NCAA restricts such tours to once every four years. On this iteration, the Lions played world-renowned courses, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, Carnoustie Golf Links, North Berwick, KingsBarns, The Jubilee Course, Dumbarnie Links, Gullane and Kinggarock (Hickory Sticks).
"Julian Geiger, an unwavering supporter of our program, mentor to so many of our kids and myself, and life-lesson teacher, has given his time, talent, and treasure to our program in a unique fashion. He conceived of, and brought to fruition, a foreign tour experience for our student-athletes like none other. And now, through his generosity, Julian has created an endowment that ensures this opportunity will live on forever and be available to all future Columbia men's golfers," stated Mueller.
"As meaningful as it is to me to contribute to the personal development of generations of Columbia student-athletes, it is even more rewarding to do so while honoring my father," Mr. Geiger said. "The lessons that I learned from my parents, in conjunction with a Columbia education, created the platform for the life of growth and accomplishment that I have been privileged to have."
The genesis of the Scotland trip came after Mr. Geiger, a Lion golfer during his undergraduate days, was participating in the 2009 Alumni Outing, and was reminiscing with classmates about his experience as a student-athlete. Mr. Geiger recounted his experiences as a Lion and how the lessons he learned on and off the golf course influenced and enhanced his life well beyond graduation. Julian, inspired to recreate similar opportunities for the current players, founded the inaugural foreign tour and The Geiger Trophy tournament in 2010. Named in honor of his father, Howard W. Geiger, the Geiger Trophy was established to commemorate Howard's generous and extensive efforts on behalf of the University during his tenure as Chairman of the Parents' Committee of the Columbia College Fund from 1963-1967.
"Since its inception in early 1896, Columbia golf has been more than scoring averages, individual accolades, or finishes in the Ivy League Championship. It is the field in which men build their character, develop their virtues, come to know themselves, and dare to achieve at least some small experience of greatness," Mueller added. "It is, therefore, a natural progression in thought to yearn for the "Birthplace of Golf," where these aspirations became synonymous with golf. This is precisely why the inaugural foreign tour was held in Scotland in 2010; no stage could better suit these two firsts."
The Geiger Trophy
The Geiger Trophy winner is determined using both Stableford and match play formats. The Stableford portion is conducted over a pre-determined 54 holes, usually nearer the front end of the trip. Then, the top two Stableford scorers, after three rounds, advance to a match play final, customarily played on the last day. The Geiger Trophy Champion is presented with the Geiger trophy at dinner on the final evening. Previous winners of The Geiger Trophy include Clark Granum (2010), Arjuna Anday (2014), Arjun Puri (2018), and Nathan Han (2023).
In addition to many of the courses played in 2023, previous trips have also included such courses as Portmarnock, Royal Portrush, Royal County Down, Port Stewart, Western Gailes, Turnberry, Royal Troon, Musselburgh, The Castle Course, and Old Prestwick. The next trip is scheduled for August 2027.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's golf, follow @CULionsMGolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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