Two decades ago, the British musician Morrissey released a song entitled “We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful.” One can only guess what prompted that thought because it does not seem to be the attitude of most of the world–and certainly not of St. Edward’s University.

Especially where Jeff Howard, a former Hilltopper and golf team kingpin, is concerned. Since he graduated in 2008, Howard has competed in various mini tour golf tournaments. His biggest event came in June when he qualified for the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open, an event on the Professional Golf Association’s Web.com Tour, which serves as a qualifying process to the main PGA tour.

As of March, when the PGA made several changes to the rules, the tour is now the only method to earning a place in the professional league. This can be done by winning three tournaments in a season, which nine players have done since the policy was adopted in 1997. 

The other recently instituted method for entry is to rank high enough on the money list to qualify for three events. The top 75 players on the Web.com money list are put together with PGA players ranked between 126th and 200th place and other qualified players, and at the end of the whole thing, the best 50 players earn places on the PGA Tour.

It is a process Howard has been wanting to get through since childhood.  

“I started playing when I was about five or six,” Howard said. “I played with my dad on the weekends and with my grandfather in the summer. I played all kinds of sports, and I just gave up all my other sports when I was in eighth grade.”

Eventually, he would find his way from his hometown of Plano to St. Edward’s, immediately joining the golf team to become what head coach Todd Ohlmeyer called “one of the better players in the history of our program.” 

Howard received many honors during his time with the St. Edward’s golf team, including 2006 and 2008 All-Region and All-Conference, was a two time academic All-American his senior year and made the President’s Honor Roll twice. 

It was also thanks to his performance at the 2008 Division II National Championship that the team was able to tie for second. 

“The ultimate goal is to get to the PGA tour,” Howard said. “But the first step is to try to get full-time on the Web.com tour.” 

He took that step when he shot a 69 in the qualifier. Unfortunately, when the tournament came around, he missed the cut by five shots after the second day of playing.

Missing the cut does not just mean losing. it also translates to the money Howard earns from playing golf.

In four years of playing, Howard has made $17,641, according to the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series website. Even pre-economic collapse, that does not go a long way towards living expenses. 

“I get a couple jobs in the off-season,” he said when questioned on this issue. “When I was living in Austin, I was caddying on the side and worked for one of my old teammates. He started a food delivery company, and I worked for him for a while.”

Howard still plans to continue with his career in spite of these troubles. 

“Right now, I plan on still playing next year. I’ll make some money in the off-season, save some money and whatever happens just try to keep getting better,” Howard said.

His old teammates also  support him. 

“Jeff is a hard worker and will put in the time to get better,” said Nick Cristea, another two-time All-American who graduated from St. Edward’s in 2009.

“I was very proud to see him qualify for the Nationwide event.” 

Collin Mayer, a four-time All-American from the class of 2010 concurred.

 “It is a very tough uphill battle to make it as a competitive golfer, and Jeff’s latest success is a testament to his dedication and sacrifice. I think Jeff has every bit of physical ability to successfully make it as a professional golfer,” Mayer said.