The British Are Coming

There are almost 5,000 miles separating London, England, from Clarendon, Texas, but that’s how far two recruits were willing to travel to be part of the Inaugural Golf Team at Clarendon College.

The Enterprise sat down with these two young men, Alex Palomeque of Bristol and Jake Bond of London, both 18, along with their parents, Julia and Gavin Palomeque and Carol and Steven Bond, and Golf Coach and Athletic Director John Green to discuss their journey to Clarendon and their plans while attending CC.

Both Alex and Jake have played golf since age 12 and give almost identical answers to questions despite growing up 100 miles apart and only meeting Thursday.
Q: How did you find out about CC and what’s different about being here?

Jake – The sports agency suggested Coach Green. When I found out (about Clarendon) I looked forward to coming to Texas. I was excited. I had no idea what Texas would be like. Everyone is so friendly here is so friendly. People in London are so grumpy. The weather here is so much warmer and drier. It is quite lovely here.

Alex’s Dad – I expected everyone to be wearing cowboy hats but I’ve seen mostly baseball caps.

Alex – A friend’s brother had played football (soccer) through the agency that told me about Clarendon.

Coach Green – There are agencies in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. You build a relationship with them, and they know what you’re looking for. We look for the whole package – athletics and academics. I’m convinced that we’re going to the national tournament and these young men are going to us there.

Sports agencies work to connect athletes with colleges in U.S. Jake and Alex both intend to transfer to a four-year school after CC and both want to pursue careers in sports management – either as athletic directors or in the corporate world.

Jake – If I can keep a 3-point (grade average), I can move up.

Are their organized sports in schools in England?

Alex’s Dad (who teaches primary school) – There are organized teams but not like the American system. We have clubs outside of the schools.

What differences are there in school?

Alex’s Dad – Academics are different here, and I think both boys are apprehensive. Testing is a concern due to the language differences.

Jake’s Dad – We asked for the bill at a local restaurant last night and the waitress looked right through me.  It’s a check… to us a check is something you draw funds from a bank with.

What food will you miss the most?

Jake and Alex – Indian food.

What other cultural differences here?

Jake – Everything is bigger and better here. We came in from the golf course yesterday and coach showed us the cinema (the Sandell Drive In). I thought he was joking. I thought it was an advertising board but it’s a huge outdoor cinema. You sit in your car and watch a movie. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.

Jake’s Mom – Customer service is phenomenal here – worlds apart from England. The people at the Best Western could not have been nicer. We’re on first name terms with all of them.

Jake’s Dad – We’ve lived in our house 22 years and only know people 2 houses in any direction. Here everyone knows everyone.

Jake’s Mom – I talked to a lady named Pat Knowles at the supermarket and she tried to tell me where she lives and she offered to take care of my son.

Three other English golfers will be attending CC this year. None of these students will be receiving scholarships but instead will pay their own way to be here.

Why did you choose Clarnendon College?

Jake – The level of education is more in depth and is better in America and of course the opportunity to play golf.

Alex – Our main goal is to get on the golf tour but have an education to fall back on.

Alex’s Dad – Ever since Alex started (playing golf), it has been his dream to come to America.

Jake’s Dad – From the parents’ perspective, it was important to us for them to experience a different culture and experience new people. Either boy could have gotten into a university at home. This will make men of them hopefully.

Alex’s Dad – A big selling point for Clarendon was John Green. He has a reputation with the agencies in England, and that swung the balance to Clarendon.

Jake’s Dad – I spoke with two fathers who had previous experience with Coach Green and that made the difference for me.

Gavin – Other colleges wanted to know what Alex would do for them. John wanted to know what he could do for Alex and said he would take care of him.

Jake’s Dad – Jake was offered a scholarship at another college but we felt like Coach Green would take care of him.

The Clarendon Country Club is showing its support for the new team by hosting a CC Meet & Greet on Saturday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. during which the public is invited to meet Alex, Jake, and the other members of the Bulldog Golf Team. The event will be held by the swimming pool and BBQ ribs with all the trimmings will be served for $10 per person.

“We’re excited (about the college program) and hope it will encourage more young people to get involved and people to get their kids involved,” Sherol Johnson, Clarendon Country Club Treasurer said. “These kids are paying their own way at CC, and that’s incredible.”

Green says he is impressed by the club’s enthusiasm for the team.

“I have never had this happen before in my 22 years of coaching.”