Photo courtesy of Fresno State Athletic Media Relations

Sophomore transfer looks to make impact in first season with Fresno State golf team

Fresno State sophomore golfer Bryan Hogan did not always plan on playing collegiate golf.

“I was playing hockey, the sport I loved for so long, and then one day I nearly became paralyzed,â€Â Hogan said. “After that day, I never put those pads back on, and I turned to golf.â€Â

‘Mess’ in Bakersfield leads to Fresno

Hogan grew up in Bakersfield dreaming of some day becoming a Bulldog. However, eligibility issues regarding his grades postponed that dream for a couple years.

He settled on Cal State Bakersfield out of high school, and soon found out that the college was going through an athletic transition period switching from a Division II school to Division I.

“It was a mess,â€Â Hogan said. “The golf program wasn’t getting funded, the roster was being adjusted and the quality of play wasn’t improving my game.â€Â

Previously, Bakersfield was the No. 2 Division II school in the nation for golf. But during the transition, the talent of the team was not nearly up to par for Division I standards.

After two years in Bakersfield, Hogan decided it was time for change and transferred to Fresno State.

“It’s night and day from Bakersfield,â€Â Hogan said. “The talent isn’t comparable, and I already knew a lot of the players at Fresno State which made transferring easier.â€Â

Doverspike, Grant team since high school

Hogan was familiar with the Bulldog golf team through high school teammate Grant Doverspike, a junior on the team.

“Coach Mike Watney knew me from high school when he recruited me, but Grant helped out by making sure Watney didn’t forget about me,â€Â Hogan said.

Doverspike and Hogan led Stockdale High to three Valley Championships, and Hogan said those championships are his most memorable moments as an athlete.

Photo courtesy of Fresno State Athletic Media Relations

“Me and Grant dominating in high school, winning sections individually, shooting a low round of 66 and placing fourth at the state championship are the highs of my young career,â€Â Hogan said.

The other three players that finished above Hogan at the state championship are now playing for USC, Stanford and Oklahoma State.

“I remember taking that Top 5 picture, and just thinking all these guys are going to be on the tour playing professionally someday,â€Â Hogan said. “I want to be a pro golfer as well, and feel it’s a realistic possibility.â€Â

Watney feels Hogan̢۪s goal is not out of reach.

“Bryan is a gifted athlete with fantastic potential,â€Â Watney said. “Bryan has all the tools and a good work ethic to do what it will take to take his game to the next level.â€Â

Golf motivates Hogan to work hard

Someone with Hogan̢۪s skill level usually is developed by many years of play. However, it wasn̢۪t until the 8th grade that Hogan even picked up a golf club. Hogan attributes his success to his dad who also played collegiate golf.

“What I admire most about my dad is that he never forced me to play the sport that he was best at,â€Â Hogan said. “He let me come into my own.â€Â

Hogan said he knows as an only child that his parents let him get away with more than they should have. He admitted that in high school, he hung out with the wrong crowd, was an underachiever and that his grades would hold him back from playing at Fresno State.

“I didn’t care about my grades in high school,â€Â Hogan said. “I didn’t see where they would get me, and all I could think about was playing golf in college.â€Â

Hogan said becoming a Bulldog and having Watney as a coach has changed his outlook on school. He said Watney is strict about performing on and off the course.

“Coach goes out of his way to help any player,â€Â Hogan said. He has made me realize that I should have a backup plan, and work hard at everything in life.â€Â

Doverspike said he has seen the change in Hogan̢۪s maturity.

“Bryan has always had a great drive to get better in golf,â€Â Doverspike said. “Now, he is not only a good teammate but student as well.â€Â

Hogan said life up to this point has been a long journey and he feels that becoming a Bulldog has been everything he̢۪s hoped for and more.

“I’m excited to wake up every day here in Fresno,â€Â Hogan said. “It wasn’t like that in Bakersfield. Now, I even look forward to learning at school.â€Â