Stanford's Rachel Heck is one of the few college golfers whose image and likeness have translated into cash. Photo: Jan Kruger, Getty Images
We’re about seven months into the name, image and likeness era that allows college golfers to profit off of their abilities, and we’re nearly a month into that same freedom officially being afforded to all other amateurs through the modernized Rules of Golf.
The opportunity is there, but few players have taken advantage of it. When they have, the deals have mostly been limited to free products and possibly a small stipend on the side.
Among the few exceptions to this trend is NIL headliner Rachel Heck. The world No. 3 amateur and reigning NCAA champion out of Stanford has struck partnerships with Ping, Stifel, Excel Sports, Whistle Sports Network, Accel Performance and Six Star Pro Nutrition. Heck is receiving $10,000 from Ping, not including gear – although she has long played the brand’s clubs.
A video profile of Heck was released Jan. 18 on Whistle Sports Network and quickly climbe...