By Rex Grayner, SVP of Business Development at Hurricane Junior Golf Tour
Your junior golfer just shot a career-low round. The scorecard says a lot. But the story behind it says even more.
In junior golf, families often get caught up in the raw numbers: What did my child shoot? Where did they finish? How did they rank against the field?
All of that matters… but it’s not the whole picture.
If you’re hoping to play college golf, scores are just the start of the conversation.
College coaches aren’t recruiting stats and finishes. They’re recruiting the person behind the numbers. That means every tournament is more than a result. It’s a chapter in a much bigger story.
Let’s talk about how to make that story count.
Why Coaches Care More About Your Journey Than Your Scorecard
The best players don’t always win. And the best recruits aren’t always the ones with the lowest scoring average.
College coaches are looking for players who compete, who improve, and who respond well to adversity. When a coach reviews a player’s resume, they’re not just asking, “What was their best finish?” They’re asking:
- Can this player handle pressure?
- Do they show up in strong fields?
- Are they getting better over time?
- How do they carry themselves when things don’t go well?
As one college coach recently told me:
“I don’t just want to know what they shot. I want to know how they got there.”
That’s where the story comes in. Because golf isn’t played on paper.
Highlight the Right Events (Not Just the Best Scores)
It’s tempting to list every tournament where you finished in the top 3. But when it comes to recruiting, not all tournaments are created equal.
A T-5 finish in a national or regional event against a strong field on a tough course often carries more weight than a win in a local, low-pressure event.
When building your player resume or recruiting profile, make sure you’re highlighting:
- Multi-day events (36 or 54 holes)
- High yardage setups (closer to college distances)
- Events with more at stake (i.e. College Prep Series, Invitationals, Regional & National Championships).
The level of competition matters. Coaches know which events are legit. Make sure your story includes those chapters, and don’t leave out local events with smaller fields, too. They’re an important part of your story!
Show Coaches How You’re Trending
Improvement is one of the most attractive qualities a junior golfer can showcase. Coaches want to see growth, whether that’s in scoring, confidence, or consistency.
Instead of only sharing your best round, track:
- Year-over-year scoring averages
- Performance on tough courses
- How you bounce back in Round 2 and finish strong on Sundays
A 12-month snapshot that shows upward trends is a huge win. It shows coaches you’re committed, coachable, and still getting better.
Add the Human Element and Make It Personal
Here’s where the real story begins.
Let’s say you shot 78-73 to finish T-12. That might not stand out to a coach… until they hear the full story:
“I was +4 after 6 holes and frustrated, but I stayed patient, kept my routines, and finished birdie-par-birdie to post 73 in Round 2. That round taught me I don’t have to be perfect to compete.”
That’s the kind of insight coaches love. They’re recruiting a person, not a spreadsheet. So don’t be afraid to give them a glimpse into the how and why behind the scores. Share moments of mental toughness, lessons learned, or personal breakthroughs.
This turns your resume into a narrative, and narratives are memorable.
Package Your Progress Into a Coach-Friendly Format
Now that you’ve got context, progression, and key events, organize it clearly.
A one-page tournament summary should include:
- Date of tournament
- Name of event and host course
- Course yardage and rating/slope
- Round-by-round scores and final finish
- 1-line takeaway (example: “Played final 6 holes in -2 under pressure to secure top-10 finish.”)
This helps coaches quickly scan for patterns and substance. Again, each tournament is meaningful, so record them as your journey unfolds. But it’s also ok to feature the most important events and exclude a few, too. As long as coaches can see patterns of development in the tournaments that best reflect your potential, then you’re telling an impactful story.
And remember: how you present this info reflects how you think. Keep it sharp, clean, and easy to digest.
Your Resume Isn’t Just a List, It’s Your Journey.
Tournament results are the dots. Your job is to connect them in a way that reveals your story.
Did you bounce back after a slump? Did you learn how to grind when conditions got tough? Are you trending in the right direction? All of these shape your recruiting narrative.
So don’t just post scores. Share the growth. Show the work. Let your tournament play speak for you, but then take the time to help coaches understand what it’s saying.
Final Thought
Coaches are investing in people. They want to know who you are, how you compete, and what kind of teammate you’ll be. Every tournament is a chance to shape that impression.
So build your story, and tell it well.
Want help crafting a powerful recruiting resume? Email info@hjgt.org to schedule a free consultation and get expert feedback on your tournament story. You can also ask about upcoming events that help you build your college golf resume.
