Jonah Rouse '26 Recruiting Profile

I am Jonah Rouse. My golf journey started when I was 7-years-old. My mom was encouraged by two of her friends to let me try golf after I received my yellow belt and lost interest in karate. My "Mom's Rule" was that it didn't matter what I chose to do, but I had to do something and work hard to be great at it. And, if I chose to participate in an activity, I had to follow it through to the end. There was no quitting. If I didn't like it, after the time I committed to was over, I could consider something else. But do nothing was never an option. I decided I wanted to play golf.

Not wanting to spend a lot of money on an expensive sport such as golf, one that she wasn't sure if I would enjoy, she decided to sign me up for The First Tee. The cost for sessions were inexpensive and they allowed you to borrow clubs if you didn't have them. In my first session, the instructor wanted to read a kid friendly book about the rules of golf but all I wanted to do was hit the ball. The instructor finally gave in and gave me a chance. My mom said the instructor had a fun but sarcastic tone whereas to say, "Go ahead. You think this is easy. Have at it." I was all too happy to show her I could do it. I watched other people do it and knew I could. And I did. I hit the ball the very first time I swung the club. Everyone cheered for me and I loved it. I loved swinging the club and hitting the ball and I loved the cheers. The instructor took notice and asked me if I could do it again. I was so excited and told her, "Yeah." I hit the ball again. And again. And again. It may not have been straight every time but I swung my club like the people on tv swung theirs. She told my mom, "I think you've found his sport." Since that time, that is all I've wanted to do. 

My relationship with golf is like a rollercoaster, as I am sure it is with so many of the golfers in the world. You're on top and play well one day and the next day, the course is better than you. Sometimes it's the same course. I'm a passionate and competitive person and I don't ever want to be satisfied with where I am. There is always room for growth and growth hurts. Golf is not easy and it will never be easy, nor should it be. What's the challenge in easy? I want to win, I want my team to win, and I'm not going to make excuses or celebrate not winning. I do try to tell my supporters and followers the truth when I don't play well. I don't want the golfers that come behind me to get the false sense that a person who only posts their wins don't lose. I don't want anyone to think we are the superheroes that didn't go through a lot of losses to make it to the wins. I'm not a superhero, though I do want to play one. I make mistakes, I'm flawed, but I am respectful, determined and I work hard every single day that I'm able to.  As I grow, adjust to new clubs, and even as I level up, I start at the bottom and work my way up. Playing competitive golf, especially a student golfer, is hard work and not for those that give up easily. You will see me frustrated with myself because I do want to win every tournament, every single hole, even though my scores may not always reflect it. However, I've worked hard to change the bad habits that came along with my frustrations and I have to make a conscious effort every day and in every moment of the day to practice mindfulness and work on creating better habits.  

I aced my first hole when I was 9-years-old and have three more playing the Par 3, nine-hole courses. When the pandemic made it to the United States, I played golf by myself when the courses opened up with limitations. It was 2-1/2 years before I played in a competitive tournament and I have 2-1/2 years of time that I am working on making up for. I played my first tournament with SCPGA Junior JDT (Junior Development Tour) in January 2022. I gave myself six-months to make up for one year of my lost time and qualify for the SCPGA Junior Players Tour. I played 13 tournaments on that tour in six months, winning 3 medals, two of them first place and one second place. I qualified for the Players Tour by scoring +5 or less on at least five tournaments. 

I started the Players Tour in July 2022 and my goal for the end of this year is to break 80 in a competitive tournament. My low score is 81 on 18 holes and I am steady chipping away at recouping my second year of lost time due to the pandemic. It has been a challenge and the courses are longer and harder. Hard is frustrating but hard is good. If it were easy, anyone could do it. In January of 2023, my target is to consistently shoot in the 70s and in the low 70s by the summer of 2023. My goal is to qualify for the SCPGA Toyota Tour Cup by the end of the summer.

I am in the 9th grade. My current GPA is 3.5 in which I plan to maintain or better throughout my high school years. I am a professional actor and model and I love to work almost as much as I love playing golf. My collegiate goals are to attend and play golf while obtaining my degree. My career goals are to be a professional golfer on the majors of the PGA Tour, an actor/model/filmmaker, an entrepreneur and the CEO of my own non-profit organization.

My hobbies include video games, chess, basketball, swimming, comedy, amusement parks and spending time with family and friends.