How the Carolinas Junior Rankings Work

The Carolinas Junior Rankings show how well junior golfers have performed in select tournaments over the past 12 months. This article explains who is eligible, which events count, how rankings are calculated, and what to check if a player isn't listed. These guidelines are effective January 2025.

Most common issue: the player's name must match exactly across every tournament. "William Smith" and "Billy Smith" may be the same person, but the system treats them as two different players, and results won't be combined.

Eligibility

Who can earn ranking points?

Junior golfers who meet all of the following:

• 18 years old or younger and have not started college
• Legal residents of North or South Carolina (North Carolina residents only for the North Carolina Junior Rankings)
• Have played in at least 5 ranked events

Do players need to be a member of TYGA, CGA or SCJGA?

No. Players are added to the rankings automatically.

When are high school graduates removed?

Players are removed the September after they graduate from high school.

Events that count

Which junior tournaments are used?

Any junior event held in North Carolina, South Carolina or an adjacent state (Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia), plus a pre-set list of national junior events.

Do amateur events count?

Yes. Amateur-eligible championships conducted by the CGA, SCGA, WSCGA or CPGA, as well as the Elite Amateur Series, receive ranking points. Qualifiers for these championships do not count.

Is there a minimum field size?

Yes. At least 20 boys or 5 girls must play from the longest set of tees for an event's results to be used.

Are events added mid-season?

Yes. Any boys' event with 20 boys, or girls' event with 5 girls, playing the longest tees can be added. Its tier is set after results are received and the strength of field is evaluated.

Why are only individual events used?

Four-ball and team events aren't used because the results don't always reflect each player's contribution. In some cases one player may "carry" the other.

How rankings are calculated

What goes into a player's ranking?

• Tournament scoring differential: 61%
• Total ranking points earned: 39%

What is the tournament scoring differential?

It is the player's stroke average in ranked events minus the average Course Rating for the courses and yardages played. The worst differential from every 10 scores is dropped from the player's average.

What is Course Rating, and why is it used?

Course Rating is the USGA's measure of how difficult a course plays for a scratch golfer under normal course and weather conditions, based on yardage and other obstacles. Using it puts scores from different courses on an even footing.

How are points awarded?

Every player who finishes a ranked event earns points. Points are based on two things:

• Tier of the event. Tournaments are placed into tiers based on the historical strength of the event, from Tier VI (prestigious national championships) down to Tier I (entry-level tournaments). Each tier has a set range of points for the champion, with the rest of the field earning points based on finish.
• Power (strength of field). Calculated after the event from the rankings of all players in the field.

Can an event's tier change after it's played?

Yes. Tiers are initially set using the previous year's field, but the rankings committee may adjust an event's tier after it concludes.

Do all divisions receive points?

No. Only players competing from the longest yardage receive points. If two or more divisions play the longest tees, they are merged into one overall division and points are awarded on the overall results.

Can a player "play up" a division to earn points?

That decision is up to the tournament committee for each ranked event.

How are ties handled?

Points for tied positions are split, unless an on-course playoff is held. In that case the playoff determines the finish.

Shortened rounds and withdrawals

Does a canceled round affect points?

No. For example, if a 54-hole event is shortened to 36 holes, points are not affected.

What if a round is shortened to 9 holes?

9-hole rounds aren't used. Rankings results are based on all completed 18-hole rounds, so a player's rankings finish may differ from the official finish published by the tournament.

What happens if a player withdraws?

A player with more than 2 withdrawals after starting ranked events will be removed and suspended from the rankings. Withdrawals include, but aren't limited to, WD, JWD, NS (no show) and NC (no card). Suspended players may appeal and could be reinstated with a penalty score.

Updates and troubleshooting

How often are rankings updated?

Rankings are updated the first full week of each month, unless otherwise noted. They are not updated daily.

Why isn't a player listed in the rankings?

Check the following:

1. The player has fewer than 5 ranked events on their profile.
2. The player's profile is missing a hometown or high school graduation date.
3. The player's name was entered differently at another event (for example, a nickname or misspelling), so results were split across profiles.
4. The player has been suspended for withdrawals (see above).
   
   

Still have questions? Contact the CGA at 910-673-1000, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.