The Sun Devils secret

By Matt Cooper Last updated: 8th March 2010

The Arizona State University Sun Devils golf team might be one of the best kept secrets in golf - certainly outside the United States.

Over the last 20 years they have produced exciting golfing talent that has gone on to succeed on the main professional golf tours right around the world.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Ryder Cuppers Paul Casey and Per-Ulrik Johansson, Major winners like Grace Park and Anna Nordqvist, PGA Tour player Jeff Quinney, European Tour winner Alejandro Canizares plus future stars Aza Munoz and Niklas Lemke have all had their academic and golfing educations completed at ASU.

Over the last 17 years coach Randy Lein has overseen the progress of those golfers and his dedication to his work was recognised 12 months ago when he was inducted into the GCAA Coach's Hall of Fame alongside no less a figure than the great Jack Nicklaus.

"All coaches coach differently," Randy stresses, "and although I have been fortunate to have had success there are a number of very good coaches who use different methods, but with much success too."

We wanted to learn more about US college golf, something very few of us outside the States fully appreciates, and also to get an insight into how and why the Sun Devils, in particular, can so successfully foster so much talent.

And with the PGA Tour visiting Arizona this week for the WM Phoenix Open, it was the perfect time to chat with Randy.

Golf365: Hi Randy, we get the sense that you love your job - the game itself, being around young and ambitious people, helping them improve ...

RL: Yes. I'm in my 18th year at ASU and I have never tired of the job. There is a lot more to it than 20-30 years ago with a lot more administrative work. However, the game itself is the same and the challenges of coaching have not changed that much. Watching teenagers mature and grow up, and learning what buttons to push to get them to achieve all they can is still the biggest challenge and the most rewarding aspect.

Golf365: You've probably discovered over the years that college sport in the States is very different to what we are used to in Europe. We find the way it works in your country a little astounding. Does that help you sell it to young European and worldwide players? It must seem extraordinary to them - to be treated as a serious athlete so young.

RL: The game has grown tremendously around the world. A lot of this is due to Tiger Woods and cable TV and the exposure it has provided. I've had players from 15 different countries play for me. Only in the USA can these players continue towards their dream of playing professional golf and, at the same time, earn a quality education. To earn a degree and improve one's golf game over four years is a good thing. Learning what American football and baseball are all about and attending a Saturday football game with 50,000-100,000 screaming fans is something unique. To be able to earn a golf scholarship and potentially get a free education is a nice bonus too. I've found it interesting that some countries are very supportive of having their best amateur players come to the USA to play collegiate golf and then there are some who discourage their players. It seems, that in the last five years, more Federations are seeing the value and now recommending their players attend a university in the States.

Golf365: Ex-Sun Devil Anna Nordqvist has said that attending ASU was one of the best decisions she ever made: "The highly competitive environment and world class courses raised my game to another level." Would you view those as two key components to your success?

RL: Anna was a great Sun Devil. Yes, I would agree that the competitive nature of this country to win pushes foreign athletes harder to succeed. The competitive schedule and the number of exceptional golf courses we have access to is remarkable. There are a number (over 30) PGA Touring professionals who live in the Phoenix area due to the weather and the access to so many golf courses.

Golf365: On the face of it the process of trawling the States for talent seems an immense project - to widen that around the world makes it even more so. How do you take on such a big recruitment task?

RL: Certainly the internet has made things easier as far as getting tournament results from around the world. I have an abundance of information now. Along with my Associate coach we will travel and attend 8-10 tournaments each summer within the States. I have attended the European Boys Championship the last six years. By doing this I have met many of the Federation coaches and established relationships with them. There are more and more coaches from the States travelling abroad now, but far fewer than regularly attend tournaments at home. There are perhaps 15-20 top programmes that have international players.

Golf365: Colin Montgomerie famously fled his first US college (he climbed out of the window!). How do you help so many golfers from around the world integrate when they arrive?

RL: I remember when Colin Montgomerie attended Houston Baptist in Texas. He was certainly one of the very first international players to attend college in America. The players who come are very mature to begin with or they would not have left home. Since I started at ASU I've been fortunate to have had at least one international player every year. In almost every case a first year student would be assisted by a returning foreign athlete who will be able to help him manage the change in culture and "show him the ropes" through his own earlier experiences. Most foreign players are used to travelling and being away from home. They have almost a month break for Christmas and summers at home.

Golf365: What is the structure of a week? What is the split between golf and education?

RL: There are a number of rules that all schools in the country have to abide by athletically. There are restrictions in recruiting, in scholarship aid, in tournaments scheduled, in class days missed and hours a week we can schedule/mandate practice. We have strength and conditioning three early mornings a week. Classes are in the morning Monday through Friday. Some players will take one or two internet classes to "open" up their mornings a little bit or, as an example, be able to take classes just Tuesday and Thursdays. Most of our practice and play is scheduled after lunch. Saturday we may play early in the morning or practice. Sunday is an off day. The evenings during the week the players will study and meet with tutors and take care of school related issues. We feel it is important to emphasize that our players are student-athletes.

Golf365: It seems quite common for golfers to attend college for less than the full four years. Is this accepted as part of the deal?

RL: For men, this is the exception. Collegiate golf for women is not nearly as competitive than for the men. For Anna she felt that she had done all she could at the college level and it was time for her to turn professional. For the men, the competition is much greater. For the women there are probably five teams that could win the National title and for the men easily 30. In 17 years at ASU I have only had one European player not play all four years.

Golf365: How many competitions would your best player take part in during a year?

RL: Then NCAA limits all schools to 24 competitive dates for the school year. A competitive date is one day of golf, 18 or 36 holes of play. All of our college events are 54 holes and will be played over three days (3 competitive dates) 18-18-18 or over two days (2 competitive dates) playing 36-18. Post season play, Conference, Regional and National Finals do not count in this limitation. If a player were to play in every scheduled competition he would play in about 8 tournaments prior to post season. We play 3 or 4 in the fall and then 4 or 5 in the spring. For ASU we play our Conference the end of April and then Regional and Finals are the end of May after we are out of school.

Golf365: There seems to be a real desire at ASU to mould not just good golfers but also good people. Is that because one helps the other? I notice you have a personal motto ("We make a living by what we earn. We make a life by what we give.") that suggests you believe as much.

RL: For me, coaching has always been a life long relationship with my players. Although I am only coaching them for four years I will always be their coach and friend. With a couple exceptions, I stay in contact with everyone I have coached. I could be coaching the son of one of my former players next year. I am very fortunate to be coaching at ASU as I can be very selective on who I recruit. Certainly a player must have the background in golf with scores and finishes and have proven he can play and succeed at the highest level, but ultimately, I want good people with a good work ethic. I can help these young players and look forward to coming to work every day.

Golf365: In terms of preparing golfers for a long term professional career, what does college golf offer that ordinary amateur golf doesn't?

RL: The one thing that college golf provides that amateur golf does not is a team atmosphere along with an education. And, by education, I am not just talking about academics, but learning how to handle life situations. Staying in a dorm with people you do not know who have different backgrounds. Being able to work in a structured routine with ten other people who might like to play or practice more or less. Being able to adapt. Having the opportunity to meet lifelong friends and enjoy a period of life that is so important in developing one's personality.

Golf365: You must be proud of the way that ex-students retain pride in the college?

RL: I believe all college students in this country, athletes and non-athletes, take pride in their school. This is due mainly to athletics. There are well over one thousand colleges and universities in this country with athletic programs. I am very proud to say that our golf program here has one of the top five traditions in the country. All our former golf team members stay in touch. Those on the PGA Tour and those working off the golf course. This is what makes my job so rewarding.

Golf365: The Sun Devils have produced some well known talent in your time as coach. Could you perhaps provide a brief insight into a few of them?

RL: Paul Casey: the most decorated of all of my former players. He is the guy that wants that 10 foot putt on the last hole to win the National Championship. First college player to ever shoot 60 and won THREE Conference titles, a record that will probably never be broken. A very proud Sun Devil.

Jeff Quinney: managed his time better then any player I have had. Was able to excel in the classroom as well as the golf course. Winning the US Amateur in 2000 showed how competitive he is. He will have a very successful career playing professional golf.

Matt Jones: no-one has a better swing then Matt. He loves the game of golf and being able to play professionally makes it that much better. He will win a Tour event this year.

Alejandro Canizares: won our NCAA Championship as a freshmen. Graduated with honours in 3.5 years and was Conference POY (Player of the Year) twice. A very natural game and born for success. He stumbled a little last year, but he will be back where he belongs this year. He won almost every honour a student athlete can win academically and athletically.

Niklas Lemke: probably the most talented player I have coached. He was almost National POY his senior year. He has not had the success yet that I know he will. Once he wins he will work his way up to "World Class" status. Niklas is definitely one who will be successful. Not if, but when.

Stephan Gross: his game improved tremendously while at ASU and after winning the European Amateur decided it was time to turn professional. He qualified 14th in last fall's European Tour School.

Anna Nordqvist: in all my years at ASU I've never seen a female athlete work harder. She has made herself into a great player. Very humble, but very confident. She will continue to win Major championships.

Aza Munoz: Miss Everything. Aza won every school, conference and national honour one can win, both athletically and academically. She's the best of the best and destined for greatness. A wonderful person who makes everyone feel good.

Golf365: One final question. The 16th hole at the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is infamous and, of course, when Phil Mickelson or other alumni play it we hear the roar of "A-S-U! A-S-U!" I'm guessing the golf teams make their way down there every year so my question is, do you have to tell them to behave?!

RL: Funny thing is... in my first year coaching at ASU I was asked to talk to my players who were at the 16th to have them help quiet down the crowd. I thought that was pretty funny as all that would have done is make it more rowdy. It is a very unique hole and I would not want to change a thing about it. My guys now playing on Tour can't wait to get to the tee.

Golf365: Thanks for the time, Randy, and best wishes for the Sun Devils in 2010.

Matt Cooper