Jake Kirk '26 Recruiting Profile

I want to play college golf to pursue my passion while also continuing to improve at a competitive level.  I love the game and would like to pursue it beyond my college experience.  I understand that improvement takes time, and I enjoy the relentless pursuit of seeing that growth.  I have been playing golf since I was two years old.  Even though neither of my parents played, I took to it early and have always enjoyed it.  I love being outdoors as well as the alone time on the golf course.  I also enjoy the challenge, golf is you vs you.  My dad would always take me to play, and it became a tradition that my dad and I would play a course at every vacation spot since I was three.  I started playing competitively in 7th grade, and there is nothing I love more than chasing the satisfaction of the next good shot!

I made the varsity golf team my freshman year and received an award for Newcomer of the Year and Most Valuable Player my sophomore year.  I am a leader on the golf team by helping teach the game to my teammates and encouraging them as they work to get better.  I have high expectations of myself, and I enjoy the technical side of golf.  I enjoy studying and perfecting detailed components of my swing.

My family is supportive of me, and I value focusing on my mental and emotional health in addition to my physical health.  I have a launch monitor in my garage, so I am able to practice daily.  I also play a round of golf weekly, sometimes more, depending on how much daylight allows while managing school.  I also have an awesome golf coach and mentor that I have been training with weekly for two years.  

Golf is a challenging game, but I expect setbacks and challenges and accept them.  I know they are going to happen, so I can navigate them better.  Golf is a game of misses.  I can keep a positive outlook and move past mistakes and setbacks.

I am an A student and take some honors classes.  My parents check in on me, but they do not have to manage my responsibilities.  I am responsible and stay on top of my schoolwork and schedule on my own.  I have good people skills, and this makes me a good teammate.  It is easy for me to get along with all kinds of people.  I am positive, and encouraging, and I have empathy for others.  It is important to me to keep a good attitude and respectful demeanor on the golf course even when I am not playing my best round.  

My parents are supportive of me and push me just the right amount.  My family values mental and emotional health first, and success comes after.  My dad played football at Texas A&M University and has been supportive of my passion for golf.  He has shared with me about what it takes to be a collegiate athlete, lessons he has learned, and challenges he experienced.