Tag: Mark Broadie

Therese Hession Regional Challenge controversy, Arkansas women prevail in Puerto Rico and more from the past week in college golf

Here’s what you need to know from the last week of college golf.

What is college golf in the 2023-24 season without a little controversy?

In the fall, it was the failures of Spikemark and confusion about the new rankings system and how it worked. And in the first full week of the spring season, there’s even more debate among coaches, fans and more about one of the biggest women’s tournaments of the season switching its format only days before the event from stroke play to match play.

More teams across the country began their spring seasons this past week, as the chase for conference titles and NCAA regional berths picks up full stream heading toward the postseason.

Here’s what you need to know from the past week in college golf.

More college golf: Practice facilities around the country

Rankings, new scoring website and more takeaways from the annual college golf coaches convention

Rankings were the big topic of the week.

LAS VEGAS — College golf coaches from across the country were in Las Vegas this week for the Golf Coaches Association of America and Women’s Golf Coaches Association annual convention at Planet Hollywood.

And there was no shortage of discussion points. The main topic? The new ranking system in college golf, which has caused drama, chaos and discombobulation throughout the fall.

Mark Broadie, who is in charge of the rankings, was in attendance and held two sessions to discuss the new rankings and take questions from coaches to clarify how they work. In addition, there were other breakout sessions and news announced.

Here are the big takeaways from the 2023 college golf coaches convention in Las Vegas.

Clippd publishes first edition of college golf rankings in latest chapter of saga

The NCAA’s new college golf rankings are out.

The new era of college golf rankings is officially underway.

Shortly after 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, the first Mark Broadie college golf rankings using primarily average points were unveiled. The North Carolina men and Wake Forest women lead the respective team rankings, meanwhile, Alabama sophomore Nick Dunlap and Arkansas freshman Maria Jose Marin are the top-ranked individuals.

The release is the latest edition of a saga this fall that has hampered college golf and angered hundreds in the niche community.

What started with Spikemark taking over as the official college golf scoring and rankings provider is now ending with Clippd taking over the managing and publishing of said scores and rankings while Broadie will handle doing the rankings themselves.

Come postseason time, the NCAA will use these rankings to select teams for regional play.

The Clippd rankings include all divisions of college golf.

Spikemark Golf to manage NCAA college golf scoring and rankings, beginning in 2023-24

There’s a new scoring system for college golf.

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There’s going to be a major change where fans go to get their college golf scores beginning this fall.

Spikemark Golf will become the provider for all golf scoring and ranking services utilized by the NCAA, beginning with the 2023-24 season. Spikemark will transition into the service role previously provided by Golfstat.

“We are pleased to announce Spikemark as manager for NCAA golf scoring and ranking services,” Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships, said in a release. “Spikemark’s effective use of current technologies, including the implementation of a transparent ranking system with daily updates, will provide a statistical approach that has been widely adopted throughout the golf community, and one that will positively impact the user experience for our membership and the championships.

“On behalf of the collegiate golf community, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Golfstat and specifically to the late Mark Laesch and the Laesch family for their many years of partnership and dedication to collegiate golf.”

Spikemark, created and founded by former collegiate player and coach, Derek Freeman, will have a new website and mobile app that are designed to meet the needs of collegiate golf at every level. Spikemark provides tournament scoring, real-time leaderboards, detailed statistics, in-depth analytics and media, allowing fans to keep track of their favorite teams and players. Spikemark also provides real-time access to team schedules, up-to-date results and the latest rankings.

Spikemark’s ranking system was developed in collaboration with Mark Broadie, who is widely known for his development of the Official World Golf Ranking algorithm and the modern statistical approach using “Strokes Gained” statistics. Broadie is also a 20-year member of the USGA’s handicap research team.

“We’re incredibly excited and deeply honored at Spikemark to join the NCAA family as the new golf scoring and ranking provider. Spikemark’s platform is designed to foster a robust and vibrant community around collegiate golf by utilizing modern technology that incorporates an engaging user experience for coaches, players, and fans,” Freeman said in a release.

“We are committed to bringing transformative change to collegiate golf providing real-time scoring, detailed analytics, transparent rankings, comprehensive player profiles, and live tournament updates. It is a priority at Spikemark to bridge the gap between teams, players, and those who love the sport, offering an enriched way to interact. Spikemark is a gateway to a reimagined collegiate golf journey.”

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