Amateur Golfer Help!!!?

Question

I am a sophmore in High School at the moment, and my parents do not have time to send me around the US, playing amateur tournaments (AJGA). So i am slightly concerned about this... Will Colleges still notice me if i fail to play in amateur tournaments like this? i am looking to get a athletic scholarship and would like to know your advice, and thoughts on this. By the way these are my stats so far for the team season http://www.ocvarsity.com/players/detail.php?playerID=95836&rosterID=39960&seasonID=12 i am on varsity.

Answer 1

As a high school golf coach, I've had a couple of players get scholarships.

There are sure to be plenty of tournaments that you can enter in your own area: city, county and state championships, both with adults and on the junior level. Contact your state golf association. I assume you're in Southern California, so use this link:

http://www.scga.org/

There's also California's Public Links association:

http://www.plga.org/

Answer 2

As long as you get to states next year, or if you have in the past, then you should get scouts looking at you. Once you make it on that "state list" coaches will be able to get in contact with you, although they do most of their recruiting in the summer at tournaments such as those that AJGA hosts. Get in as many 36 and 72-hole tournaments you can because they like to see that you can play at a high level of competition multiple days in a row. The biggest thing you need to do is get in contact with some coaches of the schools you are most interested in attending and fill out their little recruiting questionnaires, just to get your name on their radar.

I played varsity golf all four years in high school and I have learned that summer tournaments and constant communication with coaches is the best way to get a chance at a scholarship. (Just FYI, not playing in the AJGA tournaments does hurt you). I hope this helps, and trust me, I've been there and done that.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Here's a good idea:  Try emailing the NCAA, and ask them what other types of tournaments you can compete in to give you an opportunity to earn a scholarship.  The AJGA events were way too exclusive & expensive when I was your age too, so I played in other events.  They still require a resume from your tournament history just to be eligible for a qualifier I believe.  Email the USGA for a list of other big events around the country and in your state, and request any websites/contact info that you can.  Another idea would be to go on a handful of college/university websites, look up the college golf coach, and call or email him/her about it.  They're always happy to help, and plus, it lets them know who you are and that you're interested in a golf scholarship.  It's against NCAA rules to meet with them in person about it at some times throughout the year, so stick with email/phone and don't be afraid to pick their brain.  A lot of those coaches used to be on tour and most likely have lots of connections and can help you with your future in more ways than just by helping you with golf tournament/scholarship info.  Good luck in your future!

Answer 4

I never played a tournament out of state when I was a junior/ high school golfer.  Yet I was able to play golf in college on a scholarship.  It really will come down to how good a golfer you are.  Strive to dominate the competition locally and be competitive at the state level.  If you can do this, you will have no problem playing golf at the college level.