frequently asked questions
Q) How do high school tournaments work?
A) In high school tournaments, there are actually two categories: team standings and individual standings. A team consists of five players. Each player keeps her individual score, and at the end of the round, the best four scores are totaled for a team score. Some tournaments consist of two and sometimes (rarely) three rounds played over two days. At the end of the tournament, the best four scores from each round are added together for a final team score. The team with the lowest total wins the tournament. Also, the individual with the lowest tournament is named the "medalist." A school may also enter individuals in the medalist competition only. These players' scores are not involved in the team competition.
Q) How good do I have to be to play high school golf?
A) That depends on the available number of players and their abilities, but so far, we have been able to allow all female players to be part of the team. There are tournaments available for all levels of golf skill, from raw beginners to state championship contenders. All the coaches ask is that you be open to instruction, attend all practices, be committed to improve, and give your best effort.
Q) How good does a female golfer have to be to earn a college golf scholarship?
A) Again, that depends on several factors. In order for a girl to be considered for a major division I NCAA team, she must be extremely good. In most cases, she must have posted scores near par (usually 72 for 18 holes) in multiple tournaments, usually including major summer tournaments at state or national levels. There are several other options available in women's college golf. Smaller division I schools and division II and III schools compete at different levels. There are also NAIA schools and NJCAA (Junior and Community colleges--2 year) schools which offer athletic scholarships in some circumstances. Ultimately, there are scholarships available for female golfers who score from mid-80's to low 70's. Just keep in mind that the higher profile schools in bigger cities have the most choice about the golfers they select. The more popular a school and its location are, the better you'll have to be to play there. Also, good grades and standardized test scores are very, very important. The college golf experience is EXTREMELY demanding, in some ways even more so than some of the higher profile sports. First, tournaments cover at least two days, and sometimes as many as four including travel. With eight to ten tournaments a year, this adds up to a LOT of missed classes. Golf coaches are especially selective about students with excellent academic records. If you’re not a strong student, they are not interested. They know very well that if you can’t handle freshman English or biology or algebra in high school, there is no way you’ll handle calculus and organic chemistry in college. A weak transcript and poor SAT or ACT scores will get you nowhere. Finally, the recommendation of your high school coach carries some weight, IF your academic record is good, AND your performance in competitive tournaments is adequate. Your coach will be eager to recommend you if are worthy of it. If you’ve been a burden to the team, missed lots of practice, caused a good deal of drama, are selfish, expect special treatment, etc., I cannot recommend you to a college coach. If I do, and he accepts you just to find out you have no intention of following rules, showing up on time, or treating your teammates with respect, that coach will NEVER even consider another Eastwood player. I will not lie about you to a college coach. EVER.
Q) What level of physical fitness is expected of a high school golfer?
A) Golf fitness: golf is a sport that requires precise delivery of energy and good balance and coordination, as well as a degree of physical endurance. While we are not expecting our players to be powerlifters and bodybuilders, we do need for them to be fit, strong, and durable. We have designed a fitness program to help in these areas, and take that aspect of the game very seriously, as do all successful golf programs in both high school and college. The fitness part of our golf experience is non-negotiable. It sometimes becomes apparent that some players try to avoid the workouts with sudden illness, emergency situations at home, etc. Of course, we cannot question a student who claims to feel ill, or a parent who needs to address a family issue. However, if a player is repeatedly missing workouts, we will not allow her to play in tournaments until we are satisfied that she is making the progress in the fitness area comparable to the rest of the team.
Personal Integrity: The sport of golf is very unusual in several ways. First and foremost, there are no referees or umpires. The players themselves are expected to know the rules and police themselves. It is of the utmost importance that players count their strokes correctly and never try to break a rule knowingly. The penalties are lasting. The golf community is very small, and a reputation as a cheater, is almost impossible to change. A reputation for honesty and integrity, on the other hand, can be gone instantly, no matter how many years it has taken to achieve it.
Being on time is part of the deal. If you miss your tee time, you’re disqualified. No refunds. We require that players be at the golf course one hour before the first tee time. No exceptions. If you are late, it will not be tolerated. It sends a strong message to the other teams when they show up to every tournament, year after year, and Eastwood girls are already there getting ready to play.
A) In high school tournaments, there are actually two categories: team standings and individual standings. A team consists of five players. Each player keeps her individual score, and at the end of the round, the best four scores are totaled for a team score. Some tournaments consist of two and sometimes (rarely) three rounds played over two days. At the end of the tournament, the best four scores from each round are added together for a final team score. The team with the lowest total wins the tournament. Also, the individual with the lowest tournament is named the "medalist." A school may also enter individuals in the medalist competition only. These players' scores are not involved in the team competition.
Q) How good do I have to be to play high school golf?
A) That depends on the available number of players and their abilities, but so far, we have been able to allow all female players to be part of the team. There are tournaments available for all levels of golf skill, from raw beginners to state championship contenders. All the coaches ask is that you be open to instruction, attend all practices, be committed to improve, and give your best effort.
Q) How good does a female golfer have to be to earn a college golf scholarship?
A) Again, that depends on several factors. In order for a girl to be considered for a major division I NCAA team, she must be extremely good. In most cases, she must have posted scores near par (usually 72 for 18 holes) in multiple tournaments, usually including major summer tournaments at state or national levels. There are several other options available in women's college golf. Smaller division I schools and division II and III schools compete at different levels. There are also NAIA schools and NJCAA (Junior and Community colleges--2 year) schools which offer athletic scholarships in some circumstances. Ultimately, there are scholarships available for female golfers who score from mid-80's to low 70's. Just keep in mind that the higher profile schools in bigger cities have the most choice about the golfers they select. The more popular a school and its location are, the better you'll have to be to play there. Also, good grades and standardized test scores are very, very important. The college golf experience is EXTREMELY demanding, in some ways even more so than some of the higher profile sports. First, tournaments cover at least two days, and sometimes as many as four including travel. With eight to ten tournaments a year, this adds up to a LOT of missed classes. Golf coaches are especially selective about students with excellent academic records. If you’re not a strong student, they are not interested. They know very well that if you can’t handle freshman English or biology or algebra in high school, there is no way you’ll handle calculus and organic chemistry in college. A weak transcript and poor SAT or ACT scores will get you nowhere. Finally, the recommendation of your high school coach carries some weight, IF your academic record is good, AND your performance in competitive tournaments is adequate. Your coach will be eager to recommend you if are worthy of it. If you’ve been a burden to the team, missed lots of practice, caused a good deal of drama, are selfish, expect special treatment, etc., I cannot recommend you to a college coach. If I do, and he accepts you just to find out you have no intention of following rules, showing up on time, or treating your teammates with respect, that coach will NEVER even consider another Eastwood player. I will not lie about you to a college coach. EVER.
Q) What level of physical fitness is expected of a high school golfer?
A) Golf fitness: golf is a sport that requires precise delivery of energy and good balance and coordination, as well as a degree of physical endurance. While we are not expecting our players to be powerlifters and bodybuilders, we do need for them to be fit, strong, and durable. We have designed a fitness program to help in these areas, and take that aspect of the game very seriously, as do all successful golf programs in both high school and college. The fitness part of our golf experience is non-negotiable. It sometimes becomes apparent that some players try to avoid the workouts with sudden illness, emergency situations at home, etc. Of course, we cannot question a student who claims to feel ill, or a parent who needs to address a family issue. However, if a player is repeatedly missing workouts, we will not allow her to play in tournaments until we are satisfied that she is making the progress in the fitness area comparable to the rest of the team.
Personal Integrity: The sport of golf is very unusual in several ways. First and foremost, there are no referees or umpires. The players themselves are expected to know the rules and police themselves. It is of the utmost importance that players count their strokes correctly and never try to break a rule knowingly. The penalties are lasting. The golf community is very small, and a reputation as a cheater, is almost impossible to change. A reputation for honesty and integrity, on the other hand, can be gone instantly, no matter how many years it has taken to achieve it.
Being on time is part of the deal. If you miss your tee time, you’re disqualified. No refunds. We require that players be at the golf course one hour before the first tee time. No exceptions. If you are late, it will not be tolerated. It sends a strong message to the other teams when they show up to every tournament, year after year, and Eastwood girls are already there getting ready to play.