GRAHAMSVILLE – Oftentimes in the recruitment process, collegiate coaches rely on certain measuring sticks such as the junior golf scoreboard rankings. But for Tri-Valley standout golfer Gavin Clarke, who didn’t hit his growth spurt until his junior year, there was little time to build his portfolio and that ranking was all difficult to overcome.

“You’re just a number,” he explained, “they don’t look at the kid themself or their skillset.”

At tournaments, he would receive many compliments on his game, but entering his senior year with the decision of choosing a college on the horizon, only one school, Mount St. Mary’s College in Newburgh took interest. However, after a visit in October, he learned they did not have his preferred major and overall didn’t feel it was the right fit.

Despite a less than ideal ranking and limited prospects to continue the sport he loved at the collegiate level, Clarke, confident in his skills, was undeterred. His persistence, belief in himself and a special friendship all played a role in an offer and decision to commit to playing golf at Division I Hofstra University this fall.

About four years ago, while playing in a Metropolitan PGA Junior Tour event, he met Garden City High School’s Tyler Barbaro. The two have remained friends ever since. Barbaro, a year older than Clarke, is a freshman and member of Hofstra’s golf team. 

With Hofstra offering a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, in addition to having an interest in their golf program, Clarke decided to reach out to their coach. He and many other collegiate golf hopefuls received a response to give the coach a call, and Clarke called … several times … receiving no answer.

During the weekend of October 22-23, Clarke played in his last Met PGA event of the year at Bethpage Blue. The first day was less than stellar, but sitting at 44 of 70 golfers, Clarke still had a chance to make an impact. He made the most of the opportunity on day two, moving up 30 spots to a top 14 finish and being tied for the top score of the day at three under par.

“That was a big moment for me,” said Clarke of overcoming the mental side of the game which he noted had been a challenge in the past. “For me to play my game and shoot such a [great] score was eye opening.” 

Clarke called Barbaro who he said has always been a big supporter, and Barbaro offered to reach out to his coaches at Hofstra. Two weekends later, Clarke went down to Hofstra for their Open House and spent some time with Barbaro, who showed his father, an assistant coach for the team, a video of Clarke’s swing. 

The assistant coach invited Clarke to join him at Garden City Country Club the next morning, to play with Barbaro, another member of the team and the course’s assistant golf pro.

After an excellent drive on the first hole, the assistant coach was sold on Clarke. Later on in the day, the assistant coach and Clarke’s father, Brent, went to locate the head coach. 

The coach arrived in time for Clarke’s second shot on the 12th hole and offered him a spot on the team.

“And my life changed,” said Clarke. 

Hofstra will be just the latest chapter in Clarke’s golf story, which he hopes will end with a professional career in the sport.

He was drawn to the game at the age of three, watching one of his cousins practicing. He’d later begin participating in tournaments, and in the eighth grade, joined Tri-Valley’s varsity team.

“I love the individual aspect of the game,” said Clarke. “It’s just you and the ball. You and the course. There’s no one to blame but yourself. I get a thrill out of the competition and doing well. It adds to my drive. It’s my happy place.” 

Clarke has been active his senior year, playing varsity soccer in the fall and basketball this winter. He has big plans for his final spring season. Having already qualified for sectionals twice, he hopes to bring home a State Championship.

His advice to golfers is to take one shot at a time and that everyone is different. If his experience proves anything, it’s that he’s more than “just a number.”