Cole Ponich '19 Recruiting Profile

I am 17 years old, starting my Junior year of high school, and have been golfing since the age of 2.  I've dreamed of playing golf at the collegiate level since I started playing in regional and national junior golf tournaments at the age of 5.  My dream is to be a member of an NCAA Division I Championship Team. I know playing golf at the collegiate level will not only help me to obtain my academic goals but will be a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of becoming a professional golfer on the PGA Tour .  I believe I will someday wear the "Green Jacket" and will be the #1 Golfer in the world.  I know that you can do anything that you work hard for and believe in your mind you can do.  

I am a team leader and always lead by example. I'm very coachable and strive to be one of the hardest working golfers and recruits you’ll find.  I'm willing to go above and beyond what it takes to play golf at the collegiate level.  I am self motivated, self-disciplined and not intimidated to play with older more experienced players.  I excel both in team and individual sports.  I have a positive attitude at all times on the golf course and I'm a positive influence to my teammates on and off the field or court.  My coaches have always enjoyed having me on their team.  I'm confident any collegiate golf coach will be proud to have me represent them, their university and their team. 

In the classroom I study hard and maintain a 3.8 or above GPA, while also being a member of the National Junior Honor Society.  From 2011 - 2014,  I was enrolled at the Utah Virtual Academy. This enabled me the flexibility to complete my school work while allowing me to work on my golf game and attend many regional and national tournaments throughout the United States. I attended Kaysville Junior High School for 9th grade and  I was the only Freshman to play on the Davis High School Varsity Golf Team.  I am starting my Junior year at Davis High this fall and look forward to a third successful year of high school golf.   My goal is to win a 5A High School State Championship both individually and as a team.

I've won many junior golf tournaments and was the youngest player in the 116 year history of UT Men's State Am to qualify at the age of 13.  In 2015 my high school team won the 5A Region II Championships and finished 3rd at the 5A State Championships.   I also won the 5A Region II  Individual Title in 2015 and finished 2nd in the 5A Individual State Championships.  I posted scores of 68 and 63 at the 5A State Championships and missed the Individual title by one stroke.  I am most proud of my score of 59 to set the course record at Lakeside Golf Course and shooting -9 in the final round of the 2015 5A High School State Championships to lead my team to the lowest team score in the final round.  In 2016 my high school won it's second straight 5A Region Title and I won my second straight 5A Region Title shooting every round under par for the season. This year I finished T2 in the stroke play portion of the US Junior Amateur as well as finishing in the Top 10 all national events.  I was the 2016 UJGA Player of the year for boys 15-18 and currently lead the standings for 2017 UJGA Player of the Year ~ Johnny Miller Cup by a large margin.

My dad has been my caddie, my mentor and my coach since I started playing golf.  I practice many hours a week to improve an area of my game that will help give me a competitive edge over my opponents.   I know that I have the skills and the mental strength necessary to play at the highest levels of competitive golf.  I have never had a professional lesson other than attending junior golf clinics and camps.  Golf comes naturally to me and I love the game for the social and competitive aspects.  There's nothing more fun than a friendly rivalry with my best buddies and / or teammates on the golf course.

At this point I have not chosen a major for college.  However, my goal is to attend a college where I can excel both in the classroom and on the golf course.   I want to be at a school where my coaches can provide support and guidance to help me become not only a great collegiate golfer but also achieve my lifetime goal of playing on the PGA Tour.  I hope to become a great role model to all my peers and continue to make my parents proud of my academic and athletic accomplishments.

Website:   https:/www.coleponichgolf.com

High School Coach ~ Ben Horne 801-690-1080