From Australia to Auburn: Josiah Gilbert's Journey

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From The Smylie Kaufman Show

How a Round of 64 Led to an Auburn Golf Offer

I moved to America in November of my junior year of high school, although I had already finished high school in Australia. That left me with about five months of my junior year and then my entire senior year in America.

At the time, I did not know much about college golf because it was not heavily promoted in Australia. I was simply trying to play golf, entering a few qualifiers and seeing what might happen.

Everything changed after I played nine holes with a local high school teacher at the RTJ. I shot four or five under, but I did not think much of it because it was only nine holes. That teacher later attended a conference where Coach Kleiner was speaking. He introduced himself and sent an email to Coach Kleiner and several other college coaches.

I looked up Auburn men’s golf on Instagram, saw that the program had around 30,000 followers and recognized that playing in the SEC meant it had to be good. My family and I then took an unofficial visit to Auburn.

That afternoon, my siblings and I planned to play at the RTJ in Auburn. The team was already there for qualifying, so I ended up playing with a few of the players while the coaches watched. I shot 64, although I believe one of the players shot 63.

I was not especially nervous because I did not understand enough about the situation to be intimidated. If I had known more, I probably would have been terrified.

Auburn brought me back for an official visit, and about a week and a half or two weeks later, I received an offer in the coach’s office. My dad was sitting to my right and my mum was to my left. I looked at both of them and committed.

I had not really considered attending college for the education before that opportunity arose. Auburn gave me an incredible way to earn an education while playing golf, and it was only an hour from home. Everything about it was perfect, and the more time I spend there, the more I realize how blessed I am.