It's been hard for A&M men's golf coach J.T. Higgins to hide since his return from winning the NCAA championship.
First, his address and directions to his house were put on the Internet so those so inclined could go and celebrate the Aggies' first golf title and first national team title of any kind in 22 years.
Then the women's golf team soaped the windows on his car so there was no mistaking who was driving -- the coach of the NCAA men's golf champions.
"That's getting washed today," Higgins said. "You know me, I'm much more reserved. I have people honking at me like crazy while I'm driving down the street."
It wasn't that Higgins didn't appreciate the gesture or all the fanfare. He just figured two days of driving around town with his new moniker written in big letters on the back window of his car was enough.
The problem has been making time to get to the car washed with everything else going on, starting with answering texts, phone calls and e-mails.
"It's a little overwhelming," Higgins said while looking down at a to-do list that didn't have too many tasks crossed off. "I don't know where to start."
A simple thanks would cover most of the replies in a normal circumstance, but many of the congratulatory messages have been so thought out and/or from such special individuals in Higgins' life that he feels a need to answer each one individually.
"I've gotten some great e-mails. I've gotten some from retired officers in the military, how proud they are, all my former players and all the coaches from A&M," Higgins said. "People I haven't heard from in years, a lot of people from Las Vegas and New Mexico (former coaching stops), calling to say they knew you'd get there."
Former Aggie golfer Ryan Palmer took time out from his stop at the Colonial last week to send a text, as did fellow Texan Chad Campbell, winner of two PGA Tour events and a Ryder Cup member.
"I got one really cool one from a guy named James Johnson, who lives in Austin and went to school at A&M. His son [Hunter] played for me at UNLV," Higgins said. "I never knew [his father] was an A&M grad until after I came here, so [he] sent me a great e-mail about how much it meant to him and how proud he was and how in 1991 when he first met me, how impressed he was and knew some day this would happen."
Higgins enjoyed the ones from his former players most. It was them he thought of after the initial celebration near the 18th green at Inverness in Toledo, Ohio.
"You start with one group and they get a little bit better and then you go to another level of player, so Andrew Parr and David Tasker were the first two," said Higgins, who also mentioned Bobby Gates, Martin Piller and Trey Todd among his better former players. "Those guys know they built the foundation, set the standard and then they raised it a little while they were here, and then the next group and next group"
That ascension reached its pinnacle Saturday with the Aggies' 3-2 match-play victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks, a win that wasn't secured until the final hole when Bronson Burgoon's brilliant second shot from the right rough set up a tap-in birdie.
Andrea Pavin, Conrad Shindler, Matt Van Zandt, John Hurley and Burgoon represented a team that also included Geoff Shaw and Nacho Elvira during its postseason run.
"We told the guys after we won, 'You've set a standard that all anyone can do is match, no one can beat it,' so they are pretty excited about it," Higgins said. "The biggest difference between this team and all the other teams was that when we played well this year we were better than anybody else. In the past, even if we were at our best, other teams had to be off a little bit."
A&M won four tournaments in the 2008-09 season, but a victory the year before may have been what catapulted the Aggies toward the national title.
A&M won the Barona Collegiate Cup in San Diego by 20 strokes over a strong field, which included the Big 12 champion Oklahoma State Cowboys. Burgoon, Van Zandt, Pavan and Elvira, who won the individual title, represented the Aggies that week and returned this season.
Elvira, however, was not a part of the Aggie fivesome that finished seventh after 54 holes of stroke play and then won three head-to-head matches at NCAAs.
It was a tough call for Higgins to leave him out, but it also showed the depth of the team.
Shindler was chosen over Elvira after shooting 68s at a U.S. Open qualifier and two rounds of qualifying for the Byron Nelson in Irving.
"When it came time to make a change we did it, and believe me it wasn't easy. There is a plaque on the wall with Nacho's name on it -- All-American," Higgins said. "It's hard to ignore that because we know what he's capable of, but I just thought Conrad was our best bet."
With two seniors among the winning fivesome, Elvira will get another opportunity next year.
Higgins, though, has recruited well. Cameron Peck, the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion, will play for A&M next season. Higgins got a text from Peck before the final and talked to him on the phone two days later.
"I spoke to him yesterday, he was so excited he was like, 'I wish I was there with the guys,'" Higgins said. "I told him, 'Get yourself ready, because I think I want to do this again, I'd like to do this every year,' and he said, 'Me too.'"
To make sure he has that opportunity, the coach of eight years at A&M will be back on the recruiting trail next week, whether his to-do list is completed or not.
"It's back to normal in that there is a job to be done. I'm going to be on the road recruiting next week in North Carolina. Our summer recruiting hasn't changed at all; we have to go get players," Higgins said. "I think a lot more people know who I am than in the past and it will be pretty fun because kids will want to know us."
*
NOTES -- Higgins said their are many reason for the Aggies' climb to the top, one of which is obvious -- Traditions Golf Club. Another is the Aggie Golf Association, he said. ... A&M wasn't sure it was through to the final eight of last week's tournament until a couple of hours after the players were off the course following stroke play. During that time they monitored results on their cell phones at a nearby Taco Bell. ... First-year assistant coach Jonathan Dismuke gets partial credit for Burgoon's historic final shot, a gap wedge from 125 yards away that nestled next to the pin. "[Dismuke] said, 'This isn't you playing the hole, this is us playing the hole and you really need to trust me here,' and Bronson said, 'Whatever you need me to do I'm going to do,'" Higgins said.
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Posted by: Pablo On: 6/10/2009
Comment Title: Must be doing something right
If Bevo-loving 'sips rear their ugly heads on this blog just to pee on our parade.. I say let 'em, because that is a shining example of envy. What in the world could this poor 'sip be envy of?? 12th MAN I say.. best fans in the world! - Gig 'Em!
Posted by: Crocker R.A.B. On: 6/8/2009
Comment Title: Re: Bevo in Aggieland
I thought I told you a few months ago to hop back on Highway 6 and high tail it back to your queer infested frat house in Austin, t-sipper. This is an Aggie website. Beat it. We don't want you here. I see you again and I'm breaking out my axe handle.
Posted by: On: 6/8/2009
Comment Title: belay my last
my apologies for the "friggin' eskimo" statement. it was not racially motivated or that it was meant to offend any of an specific group. I was irresponsible on my part and hopefully forgiven. I was just carried away...i think.
Posted by: On: 6/8/2009
Comment Title: Good job
Hope this will win us at least Tshirt fans since our school is going broke! I was in Alaska for a trip...I saw a friggin eskimo wearing a longhorn shirt. I said I'm from College Station Texas...then he said, I think you guys are taking the Championship this year. I only wished he meant the Aggies.
Posted by: Hoelscher05 On: 6/3/2009
Comment Title: Poooooor Bevo in Aggieland
Has to rush over to an Aggie website and seek validation from Daddy while slinging weak envious smack. Pathetic sip.
Posted by: mpaul On: 6/3/2009
Comment Title: that's all you got?
weak. tshirt sip.
Posted by: BEVO in Aggieland On: 6/3/2009
Comment Title: Congrads but.............
this is as close as you will get to a national title in a major sport. You Ags will not be contending for one in football or mens basketball this coming year or in the for seeable future. If I am wrong, prove it ! I don't think so. lol enjoy your golf title, I am sure that Sports Illustrated will be coming out with a CD, national champs t-shirt and hat, and special edition issue! lol