Billy Ver Straate '26 Recruiting Profile

I have always had the goal of playing collegiate golf at the highest level.  I am currently a sophomore in high school and made the varsity golf team as a freshman.  I have loved golf since being introduced to it at the age of five by my dad.  I have been playing competitive golf for over four years and I continue to learn and apply lessons from golf to my daily life and vice versa.  I have learned the value of being part of a team and how to balance my academics and athletics while attending high school.  I challenge myself academically by taking AP, honors, and college courses and currently maintain a 3.86 GPA.  I am a dedicated student who understands the importance of a disciplined lifestyle that balances academics and athletics while always maintaining a positive no-quit attitude.

Winning the Continental League as a freshman, supporting my varsity team to an undefeated season, competing at Regionals (placing first individually), and competing at state and placing third as a team and fourteenth individually were highlights of my first semester in high school.  As a freshman, I also competed in many Colorado PGA Jr. (COPGA Jr.) league tournaments.  As a sophomore on the varsity golf team, I earned First Team All-State honors and also concluded my COPGA Jr. season by winning Player of the Year out of a field of 136 golfers. During my junior and senior years, I look forward to continuing to compete, contribute, and improve in all areas of my golf game while playing on my varsity golf team and throughout many COPGA Jr. and AJGA tournaments. 

I believe I have the character, work ethic, drive, passion, skill set, and team mentality to make an immediate impact on your college program.  I have always valued my coaches and will continue to be very coachable and open to change and the ability to adapt.  I welcome the opportunity to continue to work hard daily to become the best teammate and college golfer that I can be.  I will always give my best effort and strive to work to improve in all aspects as a student, teammate, and college golfer.