For golfers who eventually reach the ranks of the PGA Tour,
collegiate golf is merely a stepping stone to the next level. Yet many of the
world’s best golfers who did choose the path of college golf are dedicated
supporters of their schools.
During his unlikely run at the 2008 Players Championship, Paul Goydos famously sported the cap of his alma mater, Long Beach State, throughout the tournament. Goydos later auctioned off the hat and donated the money to his school.
Chris DiMarco is easy to spot with his colorful Florida Gator gear blanketing his golf bag, and fan-favorite Phil Mickelson is especially popular during the FBR Open, when co-eds from Arizona State flock to TPC Scottsdale to join in on the revelry at world-famous "amphitheater" 16th hole.
This Saturday a group of Nike sponsored golfers will break out their school colors to celebrate the start of the college football season, according to a report from Golf.com. A group of six golfers will dress in accordance with their former institutions of higher learning during the third round of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Ardent Oklahoma Sooner supporter Anthony Kim will sport the Crimson and Cream, while reigning Open Champion Stewart Cink will wear the colors of Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Wreck.
Tiger Woods will get in on the action by supporting Stanford, as will Justin Leonard (Texas) and Paul Casey (Arizona State), who is returning to action after missing The Barclays with an injury.
This year's U.S. Open Champion Lucas Glover will wear Clemson orange. The Tigers can only hope that Glover's good fortune will rub off on a team that has choked like no other in the past few years.
Heath Slocum, unlikely winner of The Barclays, is a former University of South Alabama Jaguar. It's unknown whether or not he'll support his school as they prepare to battle Hargrave Military Academy.
I'll be in Chapel Hill rooting on the nationally-ranked Tar Heels as they kick off their season against The Citadel. If there is any justice this weekend, proud UNC grad Davis Love III will finish ahead of former N.C. State golfer Carl Pettersson.
If you like what you see on the golf course Saturday, Nike plans to sell its collegiate apparel at golf retailers in select college markets.