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My name is Rich Mueller, and I am the Director of Golf/Head Men's Golf Coach at Columbia University in New York City. I am writing because it's possible that you may be a strong candidate for both Columbia and the golf team. Being a student-athlete at our institution takes a special type of person; not everyone is cut out for it. As part of the Ivy League, Columbia University offers a unique student-athlete experience in the City of New York. It's #onlyhere that a Columbia student-athlete in an extraordinary location in world-class New York City has unparalleled academic and career opportunities, an elite-level athletic performance program, and a “built to win” foundation in facilities and personnel.
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Golf at Columbia University
Men's golf at Columbia University has a long history dating back to the early 1900s. In fact, in 1919, A.L. Walker Jr. won the N.C.A.A. Individual Championship at Merion. Since then, we've continued to make significant strides in the Ivy League and NCAA Division I. Backing up that claim, we've won the Ivy League Championship in 2008, 2009, 2010, AND 2014! In fact, we've finished fourth or higher in fourteen of the last sixteen seasons. Consequently, we've also competed in the N.C.A.A. Regionals for four of the previous 14 years. We also had an individual Ivy League Champion in 2007 – he went on to play in the U.S. Open at Oakmont. And this past year, for the first time in program history, we had an individual selected for the NCAA Regionals. Additionally, in the last 15 years, five members of the Lions have competed in the U.S. Amateur Championship and eight in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
We've been equally as strong in the classroom. Over the past few years, we were among only a few N.C.A.A. Division I teams in the country to garner the GCAA (Golf Coaches Association of America) All-Academic Team Award. The accolade is bestowed upon golf teams whose entire squad earns an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher for the academic year. The program has received this distinction in eight of nine academic years.
By this point in the letter, you should be asking, "Where in New York City can I practice golf?" Believe it or not, many of the top 100 courses in America are within a 25-mile radius of Manhattan. Our home course, The Saint Andrews Golf Club, is only 12 miles from campus and has one nation's premier indoor/outdoor facilities. And starting in the fall of 2017, we've added another: Haworth Country Club - it's in the rotation of courses chosen by the USGA for U.S. Open local qualifying. The truth is we have no shortage of facilities both near and far, including a brand new 3000sq ft indoor facility in February 2019, complete with upgraded technology! Yes, you can practice every day in the off-season, rain, snow, or shine, right on campus. Learn more about our indoor and outdoor facilities here and read more about our new historic agreement with the Saint Andrews Golf Club and our latest addition, Haworth Country Club.
Here are some other things to consider about Columbia University and the golf team:
Golf related:
- Four Ivy League Championships in the last nine years - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014
- An NCAA Individual qualifier in 2023
- A brand new 3000sq ft indoor facility located on Columbia’s campus - it has all the latest technology!
- A first-class, state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor practice facility at the nation's oldest private golf club, The Saint Andrew's Golf Club
- Our home golf course is 12 miles from campus - we take a van there every day during the season.
- If you start every tournament this fall, you will miss three days of class or less.
- We have priority registration for classes; an excellent advantage
- You are fully outfitted head-to-toe with equipment
- Every year we take a spring trip to a warm-weather destination - this coming spring, we're heading to Phoenix, AZ, and Norcal!
- Once every four years, we take a foreign tour; we plan to go again to Scotland in August 2023!
- Four players in the last three years have gone on to start professional golf careers - One played in the 2007 U.S. Open
- We hosted the 2009 NCAA EAST REGIONAL at Galloway National
- Coach Mueller is hosting golf camps – Click here for information and registration
- No program guarantees more playing opportunities than Columbia - during the 2022-23 season, every player competed in at least seven tournaments
Academics and Recruiting
As one of the nation's premier academic research institutions, currently ranked 2nd in the country by US News & World Report, we are committed to excellence in every aspect of a college student's experience.
The typical Columbia golf recruit presents a solid GPA with AP & honors classes, a competitive SAT or ACT score, a strong presence in national and regional junior tournaments, and a desire to study in the most fantastic city in the world: New York City. Yes, we are located right in Manhattan. Our campus is a beautiful sanctuary surrounded by the hustle and bustle New York is so famous for. I believe there is no better or more unique environment to get a college degree and play Division I golf. Our graduating seniors leave with much more than just a degree; they leave with real-world experience, extraordinary opportunities, and a great sense of diversity. I encourage you to visit Columbia's website to learn more about our academic offerings.
If you are interested in being part of the Columbia University golf program, I encourage you to fill out our online recruiting form. Additionally, prospects should also familiarize themselves with Ivy League recruitment and financial aid guidelines.
Academically related:
- We are ranked 2nd in the country for undergraduate education
- The "core" is revered as one of the best liberal arts curriculums in the world
- We offer a variety of majors - Economics, Political Science, English, Engineering, etc.
- We're located in New York City, arguably the greatest city on the planet, steps from museums, nightlife, culture, shopping
- Guaranteed housing for four years
- Highly competitive financial aid packages
Financial Aid
As you may know, the Ivy League does NOT offer scholarships for athletics, and in recent years the cost of higher education has risen considerably. However, Columbia University has one of the strongest financial aid programs of any school in the country. Prospects are strongly encouraged to use Columbia's Net Price Calculator to learn just how competitive packages are. Click here to better understand our need-based financial aid packages and no-loan policy.
Net Price Calculator/ MyinTuition Quick College Cost Estimator: These calculators are tools that can help you determine the financial aid for which you may qualify. These tools will help you understand your family's contribution, but please know that this is an estimate. It is only as accurate as the information you provide. The simpler your financial situation, the more accurate this estimate is likely to be. Many families have complex financial circumstances (business owners, family living outside of the United States, divorced/separated, and families with more than one student in college) that require a detailed review to determine accurate need-based eligibility. A calculator cannot factor in all of your unique personal circumstances; we strongly encourage all recruited athletes who plan to apply for financial aid to participate in the Early Estimate Process.
Please visit our website for more information on using these tools and determine what your estimate will be:https://cc-seas.financialaid.columbia.edu/content/cost-estimator.
Financial Aid related:
- Columbia awards more than $122 million annually in Scholarships and Grants from all sources.
- 50% of Columbia students receive grants from Columbia, and the average amount awarded is $40,441.
- 50% of Columbia students receive grants from any source.
- 17% of Columbia’s undergraduates receive the Pell Grant, a Federal Grant reserved for the neediest students in the country. This percentage is the highest in the Ivy League.
- John Kluge’s recent gift of $400 million for Columbia’s financial aid programs is the single largest gift to any university financial aid program.
Follow up
In the meantime, please consider completing the following:
1. Please complete the online recruiting form.
2. EMAIL me your golf resume, high school transcripts, test scores, and upcoming golf schedule.
3. Unofficial visits are available upon request if you will be visiting New York this year.
4. Camp opportunities are available here.
I look forward to receiving your correspondence. Have a great junior year!
* Please note that NCAA rules now permit coaches to call AND text rising juniors starting June 15th, 2023. While this provides convenience in certain instances, we'd prefer to develop our relationship with you via email and phone calls.
Important Links Listed in this Document:
Columbia University
Columbia University Athletics
Columbia Golf Online Recruiting Form
Columbia Golf Facilities
Columbia University Financial Aid
APR Data for Columbia Golf
Ivy League Guidelines for Recruitment & Financial Aid
Coach Mueller's Lions Golf Camps
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