As the head coach of the Binghamton University Men’s Golf Team, PGA of America Member Bernie Herceg has set high standards for his student-athletes.
“When you reach this level, work ethic is so important,” Herceg said. “We work hard on having our players understand what they should be working on and as we compete in tournaments, to learn from each round, so we keep improving towards competitive greatness.”
Herceg knows what it takes to succeed at the college level. He competed for and graduated from Elmira College (1987) where he earned Academic All-American honors. He was inducted into the Elmira College Hall of Fame in 2022. Herceg is the PGA of America Director of Instruction at BU’s home course, The Links at Hiawatha Landing.
Entering his 17th season coaching at BU, Herceg is adjusting to the changing landscape of Division I athletics, especially when it comes to recruiting, NLI’s and technology, and also his instruction responsibilities at Hiawatha Landing.
Here’s what Herceg, a PGA of America Member since 1999 and also a Quarter Century Club member, had to say about coaching and his golf career.
Coaching philosophy
First off, to recruit quality student-athletes. To give our players the opportunity to play D-I golf and have them compete at a high level against great competition and most importantly, to walk across the stage in four years with a tremendous degree. We do our best to have great team comradery as we motivate the players to reach their potential while here at Binghamton University. We have all the resources for them to excel on the course and in the classroom. We want all our players to have a great experience while attending Binghamton as they’ll develop outstanding relationships that’ll last a lifetime.
Biggest challenge as a college golf coach
Generations are changing. The NCAA keeps changing and evolving, so you need to recruit better to get the best possible player for your team that fits with the team’s dynamics and mission statement. You have to be able to adjust to the changing times we are in.
How he got his start in golf
My father introduced me to golf. I took to golf more and more as I had a few friends who also played. We’d get dropped off at the former IBM Country Club (Broome County) and we would play the 9-hole course, The Homestead.
Greatest golf accomplishment
Probably when I qualified at the 4-spot Monday Qualifier as an amateur at the IBM CC to play in the 1993 BC Open and played in the PGA event.
Best advice he’s ever received
To work hard and allow things to happen. To be honest with yourself and everyone around you.
On the upcoming college golf season
We only have one senior and we are more of a younger team. Our younger players have all had playing experience at the college level and they are improving and maturing as great players. It’s exciting to see them work hard and keep getting better and better. We also changed conferences and are now in the NEC Northeast Conference so I’m excited to see how we compete against the teams in the NEC.