Kyla Smith '16 Recruiting Profile

Coaches,

Quick Stats: (More detailed information below!)

GPA: 3.97 ACT: 27 (1st attempt, more to come)

Current Handicap (July, 2015):  +0.5

Current 18 hole scoring average on 6000+ yards: 77. (Through 35 tournament rounds this summer)

Driving Distance 250 Yards

Recent Jr. Americas Cup Competitor

Recent Border Wars Competitor

Recent Zions Bank Challenge Cup Competitor

Recent Tournament Tours: UJGA, USGA, PGA, FCG, JAG

High School Scoring average: 75

All State 2013, 2014, 2015

Top 10 State Scorer all three years

10 Top-Ten finishes this summer; 6 top-five, 3 top-three

Thank you for reviewing my profile here at NCSA. Below are some of the results of tournaments I’ve played over the past three years. However, let me preface this information with some personal thoughts I have about playing college golf.

I am self-motivated and practice on my own at least 6 days a week when I’m not playing tournament golf. With a handicap of +0.5, I’ve scored very well in various tournaments. I’m currently ranked top 4 in Utah having just qualified to represent my state of Utah in the 2015 Jr. Girl’s Americas Cup competition. Prior to my qualifying, I have consistently shot in the mid to upper 70’s in UJGA, PGA, FCG and JAG events over the past two years. Most of these tournaments are on course yardages of 6000 yards and higher.

While I was first trained as a competitive tennis player by my father, renowned tennis instructor, David Smith, my dad also introduced me to golf at the age of 8. However, I didn’t start playing competitive golf until I was 12 when I discovered I not only had skills within the sport, but that I truly loved playing golf. I follow professional golf and love to read and study the sport in various media. I’ve played golf in Alaska, Jamaica, California, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and South Carolina.

I’m looking for a competitive college that recognizes that I’m still improving. (Yes, I’ve passed up most of the girls who started much earlier than I did in golf, but I feel I’m still making important strides in improving my game.) I have an exceptional short game to go with my consistent driving. (Averaging 235 off the tee with over 90% FIR.) I want to play for a dedicated coach who can get the most out of their team and individuals. I’m looking for a school that has excellent golf facilities near by and as close to year round golfing.

Academically, I’m a 3.97 GPA and have scored 27 on my first ACT test. I plan to take the ACT at least two more times this school year. I take honors and College Concurrent classes.

While High School Golf is not considered much among college coaches, I believe that my participation on my 6-time (consecutive) State Champions Desert Hills high school team has helped me develop a winning competitive spirit and desire to win. I’ve finished All-State all three of my High School Seasons and have a stroke average of 74.

If you are a coach of a team that fit my criteria, I’m looking forward to talking to you! I know that there are many girls who have quality swings as I do, who play competitive golf as I do, and who have low stroke averages. However, I know how much I want to play golf in college and am looking forward to playing for a school that I can call “home” and “family”.

If you are looking for a player who matches my own criteria, please reach out to me! I’m looking forward to establishing a relationship with a coach who sees my potential and wants a truly dedicated “team” player to compete for success and championships!

Recent Scores and Results

Finished 2nd at The Players Championships at Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah. (1 shot out of 1st place!)

Just qualified as one of the top-4 girls in Utah to compete at the Jr. America's Cup Matches. Come from behind at the Big I tournament, finishing 2 over par for my final 28 holes. (6200 yards.)

Utah State Jr. Amatuer: Opening round, Qualifing: 74 (6200 yards) finished 3rd, 2 shots out of 1st; Round of 16 Match Play, won 7 & 5 (Shot even-par through 13 holes); Quarter Finals, won 2-up; (shot 73 on 5800 yards), Semis lost 1-down to Jessica Sloot, (2014 Utah Player of the year). Playing PGA Qualifier next week, (June 15 - 16), Optimist Qualifier, (June 17 - 19th).

Just shot a 2-over par 75 at the Utah State Champions Invitational, finishing with the 3rd best score and 2 strokes out of 1st. Had the most birds, (4) in horrible wind and rain the whole day! This tournament featured each of the top 10 players from each High School division. (1-A, 2-A, 3-A, 4-A, and 5-A) 

Selectedas one of the top four Utah juniors to participate in "Border War" against the top 4 Nevada players. I won both my team events, (Alternate shot and Best Ball formats), and my singles matches. Shot 2 over par on the tough Sand Hollow course, (6300 yards).

Won our 6th consecutive Utah State Championship. I finished 4th individually. Had to come from behind to beat Park City who was 3 up on me at the turn, to beat her by 3...and my team winning by 6 strokes. Shot 78 and 77 which is well above my scoring average of 73 but in wind and rain, the scores ended up only 6 strokes out of 1st. Proud of my team and my own effort in this victory.

Invited at top 4 Utah girls to play in "Border Wars" this weekend against the top 4 Nevada girls. Should be lots of fun and very competitive!

Medalist last week shooting even par 73 in Cedar City at our Region Tournament.

Invited to play "Border Wars" Jay Don Blake Cup, one of the top 4 girls in Utah to be invited. Also, just got invited to the UJGA Preview Invitational, (top 8 girls in Utah). Stroke average in region so far is 72. Ranked #2 in Utah. Looking to qualify for the America's Cup, USGA Jr. Girls, and PGA Qualifying this summer. Just finished 3rd at the Winter Classic at Sand Hollow in Utah last week, 2 strokes out of 1st.

Handicap now a +.01

My high school season began two weeks ago. Shot even par in the first tournament, (2 shots out of 1st), shot 2 under par last week. (1 shot out of first.) Looking forward to this coming week.

Shot a 66 today. Looking forward to continuing my consistent play at the FCG World Western States Tournament next week at Lake Menifee in Southern California.

Competed in the FCG National Super Bowl Event near San Diego featuring many of the top CA players. Was in second place after the first round. Tough second round, back side...ended up 7th out of 20. Disappointed. Will hope to play better at the Western States World event in two weeks.

Finished my 1st Semester of my Junior year at Desert Hills H.S. with 4.0 GPA. My overall GPA is 3.98. (Straight A's throughout my entire academic career.) Working with my swing coach, Doug Roberts in adding to my 245 yard average driving distance. Through my last 5 tournaments, I've been averaging 87% fairways hit, GIR: 77%, Sand Saves: 78%, putting better than 29 putts/round and average score of 76/72 par rounds.

College Combine at Rio Sacco: Finished 3rd in the putting skills, 6th in short game. Didn't play great in the medal play portion; exhausted after 16 hours at the Butch Harmon Workshop. (But loved the workshop!) Finished 15th in the stroke play portion. Looking forward to playing several national tour events in early 2015 and then dominate Utah during my junior season on the golf team. (And hopefully a record 6th consecutive state championship!)

Update Handicap: 1

November 30: Finished 3rd at the FCA National Invitational at Badlands Golf Club in Summerlin/Las Vegas. Shot a tournament low 34 on the front side, (4 birds, 2 bogies), finished with the second lowest 18-hole score of the tournament, (77) on one of the toughest courses in the west.

Will be attending the 2014 Coaches Combine, Dec 6 - 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UpdatedGolf Resume:

http://www.collegegolfresumes.com/index.cfm?p=22&rid=12381#../images/gallery/gallery_12381_kyla  with state trophy.JPG

Updated11-1-14 USGA Handicap: 2.5

Finished the UJGA season 2nd at the Zion's Bank Challenge Cup. Shot a 1-UNDER 71 and a 2-over 74 at Sand Hollow Resort. My handicap is now at 2.5.

Updated 9-17-14: UGA Handicap 3.8;

Qualified to compete as one of the top 4 girls in Utah for the Zion's Bank Challenge Cup to be played at Sand Hollow GC in St. George, Utah. (Oct. 16 - 18th); Will be competing at the FCA National Fall Series tournament at Aliante GC in Las Vegas Nevada, Oct. 11th - 12th.

Update: 9-9-14: Played the FCA National Fall Tour tournament at Legacy GC in Las Vegas, Nevada. 2nd place after the first round, followed this up with a one-over par second round to tie first round leader.

Updated: 8-25-14: Finished second in the JAG Match Play championships, losing the final round to the top-ranked Utah Senior, Katie Perkins, 2 & 1. Finished second in the Bill Johnson Tournament of Champions Invitational at Talons Cove, Utah. (Lost to the #1 ranked UJGA player, by five strokes.)  Will be playing the FCA National Fall Tour at the Legacy in Las Vegas, Sept. 6 - 7.

Update: 7-31-14: Tied for first at the Utah Stroke Play Championships this week, shooting two of the lowest tournament scores. (I ended up second in a sudden death playoff.) The day after the Championships, I won my quarterfinal round of the JAG Match Play Championship, 7 & 5. (I am the defending champion in the girls 14 -18 age division, winning it last year at age 14.) I will compete in the semi-finals and finals over the next two days.

I am currently ranked 8th in UJGA.

Current Handicap: 4.8.

Update: 7-3-14: Finished the Utah Jr. Open with a 75 on the final round in wind, top 10 finish; Finished 4th in the PGA World Qualifier in my age division; Finished 7th in the Optimist Qualifier.

Summer Tournament Schedule and Results: (6-11-14)

Playing PGA World Qualifier 6/16 & 17; Just won the JAG #2 Tournament 18 holes; par 73 with a two-over 75. (One under on the back side); Optimist Qualifier, 6/18 -20; USGA Girls Junior Qualifier 6/23; Utah Jr. Open: 7/2 -3; The Players Championship 7/14; Utah State Jr. Stroke Play Championships: 7/14.

Updated 5/23/14: Still 15 years of age, (turn 16 in November, 2014), just finished my sophomore season at Desert Hills High School.

I finished our state tournament as one of the top 6 medalists and named First Team ALL STATE and ALL REGION. (I finished 4th in region with a stroke average of 79.) Our Girls Golf team captured its 5th consecutive State Championship. (First Utah school to ever win 5 consecutive State Titles in any sport!)

I am beginning my summer tournament season, having just won the first UJGA event at Sand Hollow, winning the "Short Game Challenge". I am leaving to play Jamaica's "White Witch" course this week and then will be playing a full summer of UJGA and PGA Qualifying events. I would like to qualify for the Jr. Girls America's Cup team this season.

I finished my sophomore year with straight A's, as I've done every school year. I took all Honors classes and will be taking Advanced Placement classes my junior year next year.

Below are the previous stats that I had posted back in January of this year. (2014)

Turned 15 years of age on November 2nd of 2013; My freshman season, I was one of the top players on our Utah State Championship team at Desert Hills H.S. I was the only freshman medalist in girls golf for the season and was awarded 1st Team All State, 1st Team all Conference and finished in the top 10 at the state championship tournament. I now average 240 yards on drives with the ability to draw, fade and hit straight shots on command; 3-wood: 220 yards, 5 wood: 190 yards; 4 iron: 175 yards; 7 iron: 140 yards; Pitching wedge: 95 yards; 54 degree: 80 yards; I practice 5 days per week on average; My last 10 18-hole scores have been in the mid-upper 70's (playing White Tees); My goal is to play golf for a University that is very strong in women's golf. I hope to eventually play on the LPGA. I am a straight-A honors student and love to travel and compete. I'm a young sophomore, but finished this past summer, (at 14 years of age), as the top junior player in the 18 and under division of our southern Utah JAG program which features several very competitive junior players. I was awarded "Player of the Year" in the 14 - 18 age division this summer. I love playing with and against solid players and adults and am looking forward to shooting several sub-70 rounds this year. Last summer, I finished 11th out of 60 top girls at the Utah National PGA Qualifier in the 18's division, at the age of 14. (I finished first in my age division.)