Today I am especially excited to have on our special guest, Brian Stubbs.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but over the last few years, it seems like collegiate golf has been exploding and getting a lot more coverage and attention. There are some incredible players coming through the ranks and into the pros, which is why this week we are talking with Brian Stubbs, the Executive Director of the Fred Haskins Commission.
We’re going to talk about the history of the Haskins Award and the Annika Award, which are basically the Heisman equivalents for collegiate men and women golfers. These awards are presented annually to the most outstanding player, voted on by the peers, mentors, and coaches. Today Brian is on to talk about not only the history of the awards and their meaning to the players but also collegiate golf as a whole.
The Haskins Award and Annika Award’s History
- Since its formation in 1971, the Haskins Commission has been devoted to amateur golf and the presentation of the Haskins Award. This coveted trophy honors the year’s outstanding male college golfer and the memory of Fred Haskins, an obscure club pro that spent his life nurturing and mentoring amateur golfers. The commission, based in Columbus, Ga., oversees the voting conducted among college golfers, coaches and golf media.
- The ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel, is presented annually to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer; the winner voted on by players, coaches and members of the golf media.
- Named for and presented by Annika Sorenstam, the ANNIKA Award is comprised of two primary components: a silver pedestal, which will display a commemorative plaque listing each yearly winner; and a hand-crafted, glass presentation trophy presented to the winner, with a copy given to the player’s College or University.
Highlights from this Episode
- How Brian attributes both the media coverage and the success of college-to-pro players like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth to the new found and growing attention to collegiate golf.
- The rich history on the Fred Haskins award, the oldest collegiate golf award, and why it is such a huge honor to these players by making it a vote making it a dynamic and meaningful award. He also touches on what qualifies someone for both the Haskins award and the voting board. He also touches on the role of the commission when it comes to naming the award recipient and the voting process, as well as working with the media.
- The Annika award, the mirror award to the Haskins for women collegiate golfers, from it’s inception to how it has grown today to naming outstanding and up-and-coming female golfers.
- We break down the NCAA championships, the major differences between PGA Tour events to NCAA events and how it breaks down a little differently from individual and team play, to match and stroke play, as well as the finalists for both awards this year and the leaders as far as schools this year.
Parting Questions:
Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore? Caddy Shack
What’s your walk-up song? Dreams by Van Halen
If you could pick one person to play 18 holes of golf with, who would it be and where would you play? My father at Lahinch
Any last piece of advice for the 18Strong audience? Remain positive, present, and clear-headed to see success both on the golf course and in life.
Find out more about the Haskins and Annika Awards at:
Episode Sponsor:
SuperSpeed Golf use the code “18STRONG”
To continue the conversation and ask any questions you may have, head over the 18STRONG Facebook page.