The University of Mississippi Athletics
Former All-American Jonathan Randolph Embarks On Professional Career
10/4/2011 | Men's Golf
Oct. 4, 2011
By Kim Ling
Associate Director, Athletics Media Relations
Back when he was a 13-year old walking around Annandale Golf Club as a standard bearer at the PGA TOUR's Viking Classic, former Rebel All-American Jonathan Randolph realized then he definitely wanted to be inside the ropes as a professional golfer. Randolph is making his debut as a professional this week.
Randolph will be competing in the Q-School Prep Series at the Auburn University Club in Auburn, Ala.
The three-day tournament concludes with the final round Thursday. The field will be cut to the low 44 percent after the second round. The winner will be reimbursed for PGA TOUR Q-School entry fees ($4,500).
This is the second year in a row the NGA/Hooters Professional Golf Tour is conducting a PGA TOUR Q-School preparatory series beginning at the actual courses used by the PGA TOUR for its Q-School.
Last season, nearly 50 percent of the players that competed in the Q-School Prep events at their respective courses advanced out of the first round of PGA TOUR Q-School.
Randolph has prepared all his life for this and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"It's exciting to finally be here and get ready to take the next step. This is something I've dreamed of since I was a kid. I played high-level junior golf and experienced success and then came to college and had success. I've proven to myself, that I can do this," said the Brandon, Miss., native.
After a successful junior career, Randolph became the ninth All-American in the history of Ole Miss men's golf and just the second first teamer. He also earned All-SEC honors three of his four years and helped lead the Rebels to four straight NCAA appearances.
With hard work and determination, Randolph etched his name in the record books at Ole Miss. He holds the record for lowest stroke average in a season at 70.44. In addition, Randolph won three times during his career and posted 15 career top-five and 21 career top-10 finishes to rank third all-time in both categories.
This summer, Randolph played in several amateur events-including a semifinal appearance in the U.S. Amateur Public Links-and then received an exemption into the PGA TOUR's Viking Classic-held in Madison-for the second year in a row. He made the cut in front of his hometown fans.
Professional golf is not easy. Many players start out on the mini tours like the NGA Pro Tour, and then there is the Nationwide Tour. Several alums of those tours have won on the PGA TOUR this year, but still, there are no guarantees. Winning dictates a lot in the life of a professional golfer. Some make it some don't. Randolph knows it won't be easy, but he says he's ready.
"There are a lot of good players out there who spend a long time on the mini tours before they make it to the big stage, and some never make it, he said. "It's tough because you play year-round basically, not just in the fall or spring like some sports. It's a mental grind, but I am ready for it. This is what I've worked for."
Randolph has been at Ole Miss this fall finishing up his degree in Managerial Finance and playing a little golf with some of his former teammates.
"It's good," said Randolph on where his game is at right now. "I've been doing a bunch of class work trying to finish up my degree and working on my game. I've been playing with the guys on the team and that's helped me a lot."
