College Fields First-Ever Golf Team

Collin College plans to hit a hole-in-one with its latest sports offering. The college is fielding its first-ever golf team this fall, adding to its nationally recognized tennis and basketball programs.

“Golf is known for its focus on strategy, precision, and mental discipline, qualities that align well with the academic rigor and personal growth goals of Collin College students,” said Dr. Albert Tezeno, athletic director and vice president of Student and Enrollment Services. “It provides opportunities for networking, leadership, and lifelong recreation, making it a valuable addition to the college’s athletic offerings.”

Golf Coach Cooper Schoolcraft echoed Dr. Tezeno’s statements, pointing out that golfers are playing against two opponents every time they step up to the tee.

“You are playing against the course, and you are playing against yourself,” Schoolcraft said. “For me, that challenge is what I love about it.”

Schoolcraft has coached golf at Midland Christian School, Fort Worth Christian School, and Houston’s Northland Christian School, in addition to coaching for a short stint with GOLFTEC, a training company with sports science at its core. He has coached several athletes who have moved up to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) level.

“As a coach, to be able to step in and build a program at an incredible school like Collin is a tremendous opportunity that I could not ignore,” Schoolcraft said.

Schoolcraft spent the summer building Collin’s inaugural team, which draws from recent high school graduates, current Collin students who have played competitively, and transfer students from other college and university programs.

Brodey Deacon, a transfer from Eastern Wyoming College, was the first golfer to sign on to the inaugural team.

“Being one of the first golfers in the program is pretty exciting,” Deacon said. “I look forward to working hard with Coach Schoolcraft to improve my game and representing Collin in Region V.”

Deacon said he appreciates having the chance to play golf year round. He could only play seven months of the year in Wyoming because  of the weather.

NJCAA golf is split into two seasons, with fall golf serving as a tune-up for the longer spring season, which runs from late January through May.

“We happen to be in one of the most competitive regions in the nation,” Schoolcraft said. “That is good news for us because we are able to compete with the best. Being in Collin County, we are surrounded by great golf and extremely talented golfers. We are in an excellent location to build something special here at Collin College.”

Administrators believe the addition of golf and e-sports this year and volleyball in the 2025-26 academic year will provide more opportunities for student engagement, helping to create an even more vibrant college culture.

“Athletics can attract prospective students, boost campus morale, and create a sense of pride and identity within the college community,” Dr. Tezeno said. “They contribute significantly to vibrant campus life and the holistic development at Collin College.”

For the players themselves, athletics provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and discipline, which are essential for success both in academic and professional pursuits.

Visit https://athletics.collin.edu for the latest news about Cougar Golf and other Collin College athletics.

Cutline for image above: Brodey Deacon (left) shakes hands with Coach Cooper Schoolcraft after signing to play on Collin College’s inaugural golf team. Deacon was the first player to sign with the new team.