Interested in playing collegiate golf?

Knowing what to do and where to start can be overwhelming. If you aren't currently being recruited it can be a frustrating process. We hope that the information provided can assist in getting yourself noticed. 

Many juniors who receive scholarships aren't shooting sub par rounds. The majority are shooting in the 80's or higher (women 90's or higher). 

Miami Valley Golf Association had an opportunity to interview Anthony & Judy Gilkison, parents to Jake, Josh and Jordan. They have gone through (and going through) the recruitment process with all three boys. They were kind enough to share some of their experiences and insight to the process with us.

Jake Gilkison – University of Dayton 2015-2019

Josh Gilkison – Kent State University 2017-Current

Jordan Gilkison – Springboro High School ’21, verbal intent: Kent State University

Interview with Mr. & Mrs. Gilkison:

MVGA: What is a brief overview of the process (time frame)?

Gilkisons: The golf recruiting process is filled with both excitement and stress.  Depending on the talent level, the recruiting process likely doesn’t start much before high school.  Most college coaches will tell you that they appreciate golfers that have dabbled in other sports/activities along the way and learned how to be part of a team.  With our oldest son, we knew nothing about how the process worked, and we were very late to the recruiting party. However, he was extremely fortunate to land at the University of Dayton and play for an awesome coach, Gip Hoagland.  With the next two boys, we knew a little more of what the process entailed, what tournaments to play in, and how the communication with the coaches worked. They both started reaching out to coaches their sophomore year. They then worked through the process trying to determine the best fit both academically, and as a student athlete.  Along the way, they continued to compete at the highest level of tournaments that they could gain entrance to.

MVGA: Did you send resumes out or try to contact any coaches yourself?

Gilkisons: Each of our boys created and updated their resumes throughout the recruiting process. They sent individual emails with their resume to prospective coaches as one of the first steps.  We found it helpful to know the national ranking of the programs in the early stages. Golfweek/Sagarin provides weekly updates during the fall and spring seasons for reference. This helps you figure out a good fit for your talent level.  The key is to be realistic about your options. The last thing you want to do is find yourself on a team where you never make the travel squad.

MVGA: When did coaches start reaching out to you or the boys?

Gilkisons: The coaches never contacted us directly. All communications were directly with the boys or through one of their coaches.  NCAA regulations determine when and how coaches can communicate with recruits. That timeline has changed multiple times in the past 5 years and has always been a challenge to keep straight. The NCAA website is a great resource to understand dead periods, quiet periods, when and how coaches can communicate as well as when you can take campus visits.   One thing most coaches agree on is that they do not want to hear from the parents.  They want to hear from the golfer. Albeit super uncomfortable, if you can encourage your golfer to pick up the phone and call the coach that’s where the relationship begins. Coaches receive tons of blind emails, if you take the time to make the call it really shows you’re interested in that particular program. 

MVGA: Did the boys play in any events that you think may have helped get them noticed?

Gilkisons: There are many tournaments that can get a coach’s attention. Playing events that are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard is a good starting point. The JGS web site is also a great place to search upcoming junior events in Ohio and across the nation.  Most every college coach uses JGS as an initial guide for evaluating junior golfers.

MVGA: What are the cant miss events/tournaments for juniors in the Dayton area?

Gilkisons: There are many options in Dayton and SW Ohio. I would encourage young golfers to compete often.  It keeps them sharp and focused with a tournament to prepare for. The more experience a player can get in competition, the more comfortable they will become when facing an important putt on the final hole.

MVGA: Did you and the boys go on any site visits? If so what time of year?

Gilkisons: Yes, we found that campus visits were an important part of the process. The boys often made a quick determination while on campus as to whether or not they could see themselves going to school there for 4 years. Seeing the course and practice facilities was always interesting, but seeing how the coach and players interact provided great insight as well.  The timing of the visit was more a factor of when it was convenient for the coach and allowed by NCAA regulations.

MVGA: What was your role as parents in the process?

Gilkisons: We tried to offer guidance and support, encouraging the boys to make a decision on a college and golf program that was the best overall fit for them.  We helped them talk through the pros and the cons of each program, but at the end of the day it had to be their decision.

MVGA: What advice would you give to parents?

Gilkisons:  Be realistic about your child’s golf talents and pursue programs that fit. There are many great options from D-I, D-II,D-III and NAIA. As you narrow down your top choices, ask to spend time with the players on the team, take the official admissions visit offered by the college, not just the golf coach visit.  All of these provide a different perspective on the school.

MVGA: Finally, is there anything else you would like to mention about the process or your experience, that would be helpful to parents and juniors?

Gilkisons: Playing college golf is an experience filled with fabulous opportunities, connections and memories.  It’s being a part of an automatic family when you arrive at college, which is priceless. But be sure your junior is aware that it’s also a lot of hard work, self-discipline, and dedication.  It’s important to be sure the junior golfer is “all in” before they begin the process.

Interested in seeing how your scores stack up to collegiate golfers? This can help narrow down the division and schools that may be a good target to send your resume to.

Use the free PING American college golf gu ides INTERACTIVE SCORE CONVERSION - Simply click the link, select an event and follow the steps. 

4 Ways to Prepare -  How can you prepare youth for college golf? Playing competitive junior golf is a must for young women and men hoping to play at the collegiate level.

6 Ways to get Noticed - Playing golf, or any sport, at the college level is competitive. What does it take to get noticed by a college golf coach?

College Golf Road Map- This information was created with the help of college coaches, college golf experts and former college golfers who are passionate about helping young people reach their goals on and off the course. The College Golf Road Map contains helpful information, timelines, tips, checklists, charts and quotes that will help you set and achieve your goals. 

The PING American College Golf Guide is a great place to start in information gathering. The site can help answer many of the questions and concerns you may have. From college coaches names and contact information to step by step guides to do throughout your high school journey. There is a fee for this service and to learn more about using the service CLICK HERE.

The Junior Golf Hub can help you create a free golf resume. The site is also another great resource for navigating the murky waters of college golf recruitment. At the Junior Golf Hub, you can create a profile that can be searched and accessed by college coaches. This profile allows you to update your information as your junior career progresses. To start the process of creating your profile CLICK HERE.

National tournaments and tours (as well as golf association junior championships)  are a great way to help with your golf resume. The tournament fields are typically larger and more competitive and college coaches tend look to these results more. Below are some of those tours and championships:

American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) - Developing golf's next generation . The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA conducts more than 200 annual events to help members gain exposure to college golf scholarships. We also are passionate about programs that develop great people - learn how to maximize your membership.

Ages 13-18 membership fee $215+. 
Ages 12U can join as a future player membership for $95.

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The AJGA offers an  ACE Grant for those needing financial assistance. 

The mission of the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour is to accommodate the ladies and gentlemen of junior golf with an extraordinary experience in a competitive environment. The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) was founded in 2007 with the intention of providing junior golfers between the ages of 8-18 an opportunity to play exceptional courses in a competitive environment. The tour’s vision is to provide superb hospitality and make every event a memorable one. With play open to both males and females, nearly every junior golfer is eligible to participate on the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Currently the HJGT is the largest junior golf tour in the United States hosting more 2-day nationally ranked events than any other tour. The HJGT has been able to achieve this goal by running the most professional events and providing an exceptional value to all of our players and families over the last 13 years.

Ages 8-18 membership fee $299(first time members click here for a discount).

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golfweek junior tour

The primary goal is to promote juniors who are determined to grow their competitive edge, build character, display sportsmanship, and gain confidence in golf and in life. The staff strives to make each tournament a memorable experience for every player. With our goals in mind, the tour can only run at a top level if we all participate in its success. Players need to display extraordinary effort, attitude, and sportsmanship. We require admirable behavior before, during and following each and every tournament.

Ages 19U membership fee $150.

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Don't see the information you were looking for? Send an email to matt@mvgolf.organd we will work to find the information and update the site.