Jim Ragan, who has had coaching stints at Texas, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, the latter two as head coach, is in his third year as the golf head coach at UC San Diego. Among his protégés are PGA TOUR standouts Brandt Snedeker and Anthony Kim. Led by seniors Clayton Yamaguchi, Daniel Yang and Jeff Roseth, Ragan's 2015-16 squad is heading into the home stretch of the season. With the CCAA Championship and, hopefully, the NCAA Regional quickly approaching, the Mississippi State graduate spent time talking about his sport, his profession, and this year's squad.
Q: After spending most of your career in other parts of the country, what made San Diego an appealing location?
RAGAN:The weather is perfect for year-round golfing.
Q:You have coached 13 All-Americans, nine Academic All-Americans and nine student-athletes who went on to play on the PGA or European tours. To what would you attribute your success?
RAGAN: Talent assessment in the recruiting process, and a coaching style that assists in reaching each player's potential.
Q: When was the moment you realized teaching golf was what you wanted to do?
RAGAN: Teaching is only one element of many that encompass coaching. I was fortunate to learn the craft of teaching from many of the legendary instructors when I began my career with Golf Digest Schools and Sea Island Golf Club. I realized golf was the profession I wanted to pursue in some capacity when I was 17 years old.
Q: What makes mentoring young golfers so rewarding? Is there one player you've coached who stands out more than others?
RAGAN: College is the first step of independence for most. Preparing young adults for life using golf as a vehicle is very satisfying. Each player I have coached is unique in their own way. I really don't have a favorite, but I do have good memories of all who I have coached.
Q: What were your expectations coming into the 2015-16 season? Where is this year's team in terms of meeting those expectations?
RAGAN: I had high expectations for this season, and it would not be truthful to say it hasn't been a disappointment for us to this point. I am optimistic about playing well in our remaining events, especially knowing how well some of the guys are playing in preparation for these events.
Q: How do you personally judge the success of a season?
RAGAN: Wins and losses.
Q: What is your favorite part of the game to teach?
RAGAN: I like it all, A to Z, top to bottom. For a player to reach their potential, they must have someone that can provide guidance, direction, is knowledgeable, and is experienced about all aspects of the game. I have always strived to be that person.
Q: The Hanny Stanislaus Invitational at Turlock Country Club, a course on which your team performed very well last season (sixth of 18), is Monday and Tuesday this week. It will be followed by the CCAA Championship (April 18-20). What do you hope to see from your team in this important prep tournament?
RAGAN: I hope we win at Stanislaus and take that confidence into the conference championship.
Q: What is your all-time favorite golf movie?
RAGAN: Caddyshack. It's funny and has established a nomenclature that continues to provide light-hearted moments among many golfers.
Q: If you could put together a golf foursome with anyone, dead or alive, who would your three partners be? And on what course?
RAGAN: Mason Rudolph (absolutely great person and player), Monroe Avery (old man who gave me a club and balls and encouraged me to play), and Ben Hogan (never got to see him hit balls in person). The location-Augusta National, of course.
Q: What is the one thing you would tell a first-time player they should know about the game of golf?
RAGAN: Stick with it. It seems difficult at first, but it gets easier the more you do it.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Taylor Tanita (Women's Basketball) February 25, 2016
Courtney Miller (Women's Water Polo) February 5, 2016
Megan Gesner (Women's Fencing) January 29, 2016
Tanner Syftestad (Men's Volleyball) January 4, 2016
Grant Jackson (Men's Basketball) December 18, 2015
Stephanie Sin (Women's Swimming & Diving) November 25, 2015
Beth Mounier (Women's Basketball) November 17, 2015
Nick Alexander (Men's Water Polo) October 21, 2015
Myles Cooper (Strength & Conditioning) October 6, 2015
Jordyn McNutt (Women's Soccer) September 8, 2015
Cameron McElfresh (Men's Soccer) September 1, 2015
Daniel Franz (Men's Cross Country) August 17, 2015
Meagan Wright (Women's Volleyball) August 10, 2015
Chase Cockerill (Men's Water Polo) August 3, 2015
Kelcie Brodsky (Women's Soccer) July 27, 2015
Kuba Waligorski (Men's Soccer) July 20, 2015
Nate Garcia (Cross Country) July 13, 2015
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