Ryder Hodgson '24 Recruiting Profile

NCSA profile statement 

Personal Statement

Tell coaches about your collegiate goals and aspirations. What makes you a good candidate for their team? What makes you different from other recruits in character, athletics and academics? Remember, longer isn't necessarily better.

My name is Ryder Hodgson and I am reaching out to introduce myself. I am a class of 2024 golfer. I am a +3 and I am now regularly shooting in the mid 60s. I won the 2023 New Jersey State Amateur and the NJ Junior PGA Section Championship 

I was a dominant lacrosse player - and lifelong recreational golfer - until I decided to dedicate myself 100% to competitive golf a year ago. Please do not stop reading, as there is some good stuff and compelling tourney finishes here. 

Signature Tournament Wins and Results 

I won the New Jersey State Amateur Championship

I won the 2023 New Jersey Junior PGA Section Championship. I shot a 66 (-6) on day 1 and a 71 (-1) on day two to win by 4 strokes over two days of competing. 

I qualified for the quarterfinals in the 2023 MGA Junior Open with an overall 7th place finish on July 17-18. 

I was selected to play in the prestigious 2023 Carter Cup at Baltusrol Golf Club. 

I won the Central New Jersey Hurricane Open on July 15-16. I shot a 66 (-4). 

I won the NJ PGA Junior Event at Cherry Valley on July 13, 2023. I shot a 67 (-5). 

I won the 2023 Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) event by shooting a 65 (-6) on day one, and a 72 (+1) to win by 11 strokes. 

I won the three day 54-hole 2023 Raleigh Junior Open by 11 strokes, in February 2023. 

I will soon be competing in AJGA events. 

I was selected as a 2023 New Jersey All-State Golf team selection for high school varsity golfers.

Backstory: My dad is a golfer and he took me to Augusta National to watch the Masters in April 2022. The trip was the most memorable sporting event of my life. As we sat watching the practice round, I watched the golfers playing, the way they fraternized with each other, and their rapport with their fans. My life orientation pivoted. It was then that I told my dad I was going to dedicate myself to becoming the best possible golfer, with no wavering. 

Quite candidly, my dad was circumspect about how this might even be possible, until the Bergen Catholic High School Golf coach saw me on the range, and invited me to play a round with him. After that round he recruited me to play for his team. I am the #1 golfer on the Bergen Catholic High School team. 

Other: I am a multi-dimensional athlete. I was a dedicated lacrosse player, and had earned many accolades in my seven years of playing club lacrosse and in playing varsity high school lacrosse. I was a leftie attack player, leading scorer, and was named one of the best sophomore lacrosse players in NJ. I have also played AAU basketball as a point guard. I am now 100% dedicated to golf. 

I am an excellent student, and as hard-working in the classroom as I am on the practice range and putting greens. I have integrity and try to set an example as I support my peers and teammates.