The relationship between a player’s optimal level of arousal – how revved he is – and performance is one of the most studied, and difficult to pinpoint, concepts in the field of Sport Psychology. Each golfer has an optimal state of mental stimulation that allows him to think and feel “ready” to play. If the golfer is under-aroused, less than peak performance may be the result. Conversely, over-arousal can lead to a sense of panic and feeling “out of control.”

As is true with all aspects of the mental game, learning to recognize different states of beingis the first, and thus, a critical step. It is important to become aware of how “keyed up,” “ready,” or “mellow” you tend to be when you are playing your best golf. Each player has a different level of optimal arousal; therefore, each player needs to be self-aware what that level is in order to “go” there to play his best.

RMJGT hosted the Oregon Fall Challenge at Pumpkin Ridge this weekend on September 17-18. With some extremely low and consistent scores, the Boys 15 to 19 Division saw tight competition this weekend. Vancouver, WA player Spencer Tibbits shot rounds of 67 and 72 to take first place. Second-place was taken by Happy Valley, OR resident Sam Pyon who shot scores of 72 and 69. Third-place was a tie between Jackson and Scotty Kennon from Bandon, OR. These brothers both shot scores of 72 and 75. Scotty would win the scorecard playoff to take the trophy.

The Girls 15 to 19 Division saw consistency throughout the entire leaderboard in Oregon with a playoff to decide the winner. From Richland, WA Alexa Clark shot a two day total of 154 along with Kaysa Panke from Davenport, WA. They played hole #10 to face off for the title. Alexa would prevail as the winner. Third place was taken by Tannica Porter from Eugene, OR. She shot 157 after two days of play.

If you’re familiar with the “Going to College” articles, then you already know the important role academics will play in your college process. As a new school year begins, it is timely to reinforce and emphasize the specific traits that will allow you to get the most out of your upcoming school year. In past Going to College articles, we’ve written about a myriad of topics relative to academics, time management, the NCAA Eligibility Center, and the like.

Do you want to play golf in college?

What are you doing to make yourself stand out amongst junior golfers in your grad year?

• Do you want a college coach to know how to contact you?
• Did you know that 100 times a month coaches look at the resumes here on the Scoreboard?
• Do you want them to put you on their “watch” list?
• Do you have tournaments that you play that coaches don’t know about like qualifiers and high school events?
• Do you have accomplishments outside of golf you are proud of and want to share?

If you own A Golf and Academic Resume with the Junior Golf Scoreboard, you will be steps ahead of your competitors who are competing for those limited college golfing scholarships. For Grad Years 2015 & 2016 junior golfers, now is the time to let college coaches know you want to play college golf. Coaches are watching! Click Here to learn more about this great tool!

And click the More . . . link below to see the list of 2015 Grad Year Resume owners and the colleges they are attending.