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Walsh gives the Citrus grad a shot to play, and he turns out to be an ace.
By KEITH NIEBUHR
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 14, 2001
INVERNESS -- Chris Saltmarsh never doubted he could play college golf. All he needed was a place to play.
But after graduating from Citrus, where he helped lead the Hurricanes to a 12th-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament in 1999, Saltmarsh had no serious takers. The one team that showed interest, West Florida, liked what it saw but didn't have any financial aid to help Saltmarsh foot the bill.
"I couldn't afford it," Saltmarsh said.
So instead of heading off to play in college, Saltmarsh split time between taking classes at Central Florida Community College, working at Southern Woods Golf Club and fine-tuning his game. He never gave up hope that somebody, somewhere would find him and give him the opportunity to play.
With a bit of luck, it finally happened.
One day at work, Southern Woods club professional Rick Kelso suggested that Saltmarsh give Walsh University, an NAIA program in North Canton, Ohio, a look. At first, Saltmarsh balked at the idea.
"I wasn't too excited about Ohio," Saltmarsh said.
That changed last spring when he had the chance to play a few rounds with Walsh players, who were on a team trip to Florida. Impressed by what he saw in Saltmarsh, Walsh coach Jeff Young convinced the talented player to head north.
"He said he was going to go back (to Ohio) and check on my financial stuff, then come back and give me an offer," Saltmarsh said.
The offer, which included athletic and academic aid, paid most of Saltmarsh's costs and allowed his dream to come true. Turns out, the deal was good for both parties.
During Saltmarsh's first year at Walsh, which finished the season ranked 25th among NAIA programs, he recorded the squad's lowest overall scoring average (75.4 strokes per round last fall; 76.3 this spring). At one point, Saltmarsh earned team medalist honors in three out of four events, and only twice did he shoot in the 80s.
"It's been pretty awesome up there," he said. "I've learned a lot, and I've had a lot of fun. I enjoy it a lot up there. The biggest adjustment up there is getting used to being away from home. And the golf is different. So is the grass."
Don't forget the weather.
Not long after the 2000 fall season ended, Saltmarsh officially was welcomed to Ohio by a winter filled with one snowy day after the other. He spent much of his time away from the golf course and in the gym, bumping his 5-foot-9 frame from 125 to 140 pounds.
"I never had to deal with snow before," Saltmarsh said. "I never had an off-season. I always played year-round."
Season No. 2 at Walsh will present another challenge.
As much as Saltmarsh has enjoyed Walsh and is grateful for the opportunity the school has provided, he would like to spend his junior and senior years with a Division I program. The only way to do this, he figures, is by catching the eye of a coach -- something he's done once.