Rocker signs golf scholarship with AASU

Bulloch Academy senior Mark Rocker recently signed a golf scholarship to Armstrong Atlantic State University. Shown are, from left, seated: his mother, Judy Rocker; Mark Rocker; and his father, Kirk Rocker; and standing: Bulloch Academy head golf coach, Chandler Dennard. (Photo contributed)

Bulloch Academy senior Mark Rocker will take his love of golf to the collegiate level when he tees it up for the Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) Pirates next spring. Rocker, the 18-year-old son of Kirk and Judy Rocker of Jenkins County, has signed an athletic scholarship to play for the Pirates during his college career.

"In this day and age, it's very hard to earn a golf scholarship," said Bulloch Academy head golf coach Chandler Dennard. "The reason being is that golf is much more popular than it used to be, and there are so many good high-school golfers. You really have to be able to play to get a scholarship."

Armstrong Atlantic State University, located in Savannah, is a member of the Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II. Currently, the AASU golf team finished eighth in the 2008 NCAA Southeast Regional at Point Lake and Golf Club in Mooresville, N.C. Junior Chris Wolfe finished third in the 80- team tournament. Savannah native Michael Butler is in his eighth year at the helm for the Pirates and has led them to seven straight NCAA Regional appearances.

Rocker had several offers to other institutions, but he chose AASU.

"I like the coach," said Rocker. "The facilities are very nice."

According to Dennard, the Pirate golf program is top-flight.

"AASU is a good golfing school in an extremely tough golfing conference," said Dennard. "There's also Augusta State and Georgia College, which are both nationally ranked, year in and year out."

Rocker won the GISA Class AA state golf tournament at the Dublin Country Club Wednesday, April 30, shooting an evenpar 72 on a rainy day which filled the course with puddled fairways and slick greens. He beat out 79 other top-notch golfers to earn low-medalist and All State honors.

"Par is a good score when you're playing on a rainy day," said Dennard. "It rained hard and we even had a 40-minute rain delay."

During the 2008 season, Rocker won low-medalist honors at numerous tournaments but had a disastrous outing at the Region 2-AA tournament, shooting an 80.

"I think not making the All- Region team was a wake-up call for him," said Dennard. "Golf is a mental game, and he didn't have his mind right. After the region tournament, Mark set about working on his mental toughness and getting committed for the state tournament. The result was a state championship."

Rocker has loved the game ever since he can remember.

"My dad gave me my love of the game," he said. "He took me out to the Magnolia Country Club in Jenkins County when I could barely walk."

Rocker has also played in, and won, many local, area, regional and national tournaments.

"His potential is unlimited," said Dennard. "He hits the ball so long and is so good with his irons. The main thing we've worked on over the past two years is course management. It just depends on how hard he wants to work on being a college athlete."