Many golfers have skipped collegiate-level golf and directly transitioned to professional golf. However, for the majority, getting degrees and exposure at the NCAA events is the key. Take the example of recently turned professionals, including John Pak, and Luke Clanton. But what has happened recently has been shocking for the entire golf community and the students at collegiate level. Each year, more than 9,000 students and 820 colleges fall under the NCAA’s three divisions for golf scholarships.

However, now with the recent update from Stephen F. Austin State University, the total of 820 will be reduced by one. On Thursday, May 22, the SFA announced that it is cutting men’s and women’s golf by the end of this school year. Besides that, bowling and beach volleyball will also be removed.

GolfweekRingler shared the update on X, “Stephen F. Austin State University has announced it will reduce the number of athletics programs it sponsors by four, effective at the end of the current academic year. The decision was based on sustained departmental budget deficits and the anticipated financial impact of upcoming revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes.”

This is not where the update ended though, the post further mentioned which teams will be affected due to these deficit cuts, “The four programs affected are bowling, men’s & women’s golf and beach volleyball. SFA will honor all scholarships at their existing levels to student-athletes who choose to stay at the university to finish their academic work and graduate.”

The shocking revelation from the University has left golf fans and the entire community in distress. In a news release, SFA Shared, “Sustained departmental budget deficits, and the anticipated financial impact of upcoming revenue-sharing requirements with Division I athletes.” According to the director of athletics, Michael McBroom, the reduction will improve the department’s financial position.

The golfer scholarship will be honored at the existing level for students. The school will honor the decision to stay or even change and will support. But despite the university’s attempt to control the situation, the backlash from the fans was extreme.

Fans reaction to the disheartening college golf update

With the update from SFA, fans started to share their opinion on the decision.

Fans wrote, “Damn. Terrible,” and “Bowling AND Golf… yikes!! No Bueno!!👎.” Discarding the decision as only the best players on the amateur level get through the scholarship, and that contributes to the growth of the college, as well as students.

Beth Ann Nichols also joined in writing, “Ugh.” The senior golf writer at Golf Week knows how crucial the scholarship and golf program in college are. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ludvig Aberg, Jordan Spieth, and many other golfers have shone in their college years, which resulted in an upward graph professionally as well.

Another fan commented, “At most schools, men’s golf is the closest sport to being revenue-positive that isn’t MBB or FB. Women’s golf usually next or close as well! Many public schools report this data, and it is publicly available.” As per a Perfect Putt report, in 2019, the median revenue for men’s college golf ranged from $165,000 to $212,000.

Another fan share the worry with this action. He wrote, “I fear this won’t be the last time we hear about something like this.” The news is a breakthrough, but the fans fear it can continue and many colleges can join in and cut down certain sports while keeping the ones that are profitable.

With the shocking announcement, the golf world is on fire. The backlash shared is just the beginning and it might get bigger as the trouble for the collegiate golfers grows. What are your thoughts on the move? Share with us in the comments below.