Golf Recruiting

Golf Tours and Tournaments You Should Attend to Get Recruited

By Jimmy Criscione|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on February 3, 2022)

This article was updated by Anna Garrett, February 2022

Playing in multi-day tournaments that consist of at least 36 holes is the key to being recruited to play college golf. When you play in these tours, you generate a national ranking that can help boost your exposure. In addition to generating a ranking, coaches like to see your ability to compete for multiple days at a time, sometimes 36 holes in a day to see how consistent you are.

Here is a list of junior golf tours and notable tournaments that could allow you to showcase your skills and be noticed by college coaches immediately:

American Junior Golf Association (AJGA): A tournament for high school golfers who wish to play at an elite level.
Boys Junior PGA Championship: One of the major junior championships, can earn exemptions (an entry to play in a PGA tour) and points.
US Junior Amateur Championship (USGA): Most prestigious tournament in junior golf for boys under 19.
International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT): Junior tours around the world. High-level competition at leading courses.
IMG Junior Golf Tour: Exposure to college and pro golf recruiters. Intermediate to advanced golfers ages 10-18 years.

PGA Junior Tours: Most states host one of these for ages 11 and up. It is a 2-day event at prestigious, statewide courses.
Callaway Junior World Golf Championship/Future Champions Golf: Hosted in Southern California for junior golfers ages 7-18. FCG is a leader in developing young golfers to play at the collegiate level.
Scott Robertson Memorial Annual Tournament: 3-day event at Roanoke Country Club in Virginia. The tournament is for boys and girls 15-18, but they must qualify.
Western Junior Championship: One of the oldest national tournaments. Enter by exemption or invitation.

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John Felitto, a golfer at the University of Notre Dame talks about the importance of playing tournament golf: “The best way to get recruited is to play tournament golf as often as you can. Regardless of an event's status or prestige, competition is always king. The more often you play, the more often you are allowing yourself to break through.”