Thomas Bolin '22 Recruiting Profile

I am excited about the prospect to play golf at the collegiate level.  While I have been an athlete my whole life, earning my Black Belt in Taekwondo at a young age, my passion for golf only started a couple of years ago.  After playing PGA Jr. Golf for a few seasons, I started taking the game more seriously as a freshman.  I was pulled up to play varsity several times and my team won Conference.  The next summer, as a 15 year old, I played in a men’s golf league with my dad and grandpa.  That was a great experience!  I got jobs as a Caddie at Merit Club in Libertyville (where I was Caddie of the Year) and at Grayslake Golf Practice Center.  I played varsity as a sophomore and my game took off.  I started the season shooting in the 90s and ended up breaking 80 several times.  I finished the season shooting the low score of the IHSA NLCC Conference Tournament, and my team won the championship for a 2nd year in a row.  That is when I became hooked!

I live in northern Illinois so I can't golf in the winter.  However, I got a swing coach and practiced during the off season in an indoor golf dome.  I also kept swinging  by playing at virtual golf facilities with my dad for fun.  

Then 2020 hit.  In February, I tore my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) working out.  I was told that I would probably not even be able to swing until October.  I could not participate in the tournaments that I signed up for, and would miss my high school season. I was devastated. In the middle of this COVID-19 hit.  It was a rough spring!

My family and faith, as well as leadership experiences in church and taekwondo have instilled strong character that enabled me to persevere.  Fortunately, the surgery went well.  They used part of my hamstring to replace the ACL and the doctor was impressed with the strength of the graph.  I took physical therapy seriously and worked really hard.  My PT was impressed and encouraged by my progress.  I ended up getting the medical clearance to play golf way ahead of schedule, but not until the end of July.  Due to rehab, I was unable to play competitively at the few tournaments that were available in Illinois due to COVID-19.  The good news was that my game was back on for my Junior High School season!  While I still had some limitations, I ended up with the low rounds of 75 and 78 during my team’s tryout tournament.   I wasn't even supposed to play but had a great season!  Our team went 10-0 and won the Conference and Regional tournaments.  As a Junior during the regular season, I shot the lowest score of any player in 6 of 10 matches.  I shot the low score winning the Conference tournament for the 2nd year in a row, and shot the 2nd lowest score in the Regional Tournament advancing to Sectionals.  This season I have invested time practicing playing over 90 rounds to bring my handicap index down from a 3 to a +.7. I gained tournament experience and finished in the top five several times and won some events.  Our high school team went 9-1 to win conference four years in a row, and I just won the NLCC Tournament for the third year in a row!

While I share these experiences to demonstrate the passion, character, and commitment that I will bring to your golf program, I want you to know that my education is my top priority.  My mom is a teacher and my dad is an administrator.  They instilled a love of learning and taught me to value my education.  I am concentrating on my studies and my GPA is improving.  I have earned a 3.6+ in my last three semesters.  I’m seeking a small, Christian college or university where I can develop personally, academically, and athletically; and a golf program where I can compete at a high level, contribute leadership, strengthen my skills, develop lifelong relationships with my coaches and teammates, and have fun! Thank you for your time and consideration.