Every year, the Rolex Tournament of Champions stands as one of the most exclusive and demanding events in junior golf. Hosted by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), the Rolex TOC is not open for registration, only the very best junior golfers in the world earn an invitation. Players qualify through AJGA Invitational victories, Rolex Junior Player of the Year standings, and strict performance-based criteria, making the field a true collection of the game’s elite.
Beyond talent on the course, the AJGA emphasizes excellence off it. Competitors are expected to maintain strong academic standing, often balancing honors-level coursework, travel, and intense training schedules. The Rolex TOC represents the complete junior golfer: skill, discipline, character, and commitment.
At the 2025 Rolex Tournament of Champions in San Antonio, that standard was fully on display and at the top of both leaderboards stood two Youth on Course members doing big things: Luke Ringkamp and Nikki Oh.
Photo by The American Junior Golf Association.
For Luke Ringkamp, golf has been part of life for as long as he can remember. “I first picked up a club when I was 18 months old and played my first tournament when I was 8,” Luke shared. “Ever since I first gripped that plastic club I never wanted to put it down. I broke 4 sets of plastic clubs then got my first real set and have never looked back since.”
Now a Pepperdine University Division I commit, Luke’s journey has been fueled by a deep love for the game rather than trophies alone. “Every day for the last 18 years I’m just so grateful to be doing the thing I love to do the most,” he said. “My favorite part of it all is not the wins, it’s really just the fact that I get to play this game and refine my skills on a day to day basis.”
Luke became a Youth on Course member when he was nine, after his family looked for ways to make playing and practicing more accessible. “We were looking for ways to make it easier for me to play and practice more, and Youth on Course was an obvious fit,” he explained. His membership gave him the chance to play a variety of courses consistently, an experience that proved critical in his development. “Youth on Course made it easier for me to get more rounds in without worrying about the cost,” Luke said. “Playing different courses helped me learn how to adapt, improve my course management, and get more comfortable competing in different conditions.”
That preparation came together in a major way at the Rolex Tournament of Champions. Luke put together an unforgettable week, highlighted by a bogey-free 8-under 64 in Round 3 and a 15-under total to secure his first AJGA Invitational title. Entering the week, his mindset was simple. “Coming into San Antonio, I really just wanted to go have fun,” Luke shared. “I knew that I had worked so hard to get to that point and I just wanted to enjoy every minute of it.”
That freedom allowed him to play without fear. “I wanted to be myself wholeheartedly and play from my heart, just like I did when I was 18 months old,” he said. “This allowed me to just be free and let my talent flow.” The result was a powerful realization. “When I shot 64 the third day, I was just pleased to know that when I let my true self go, I am capable of extraordinary things.”
Looking ahead, Luke is excited for what’s next at Pepperdine and beyond. “What winning the Rolex has showed me is that I am right where I need to be,” he said. “Every day I strive to be as humble, grateful and determined as I can while I am relentlessly in the pursuit of excellence.”
On the girls’ side, Nikki Oh, a Stanford University commit, delivered a championship performance that reflected years of steady growth and dedication. Nikki was first introduced to the game through her dad, a former professional golfer. “I first got into golf through my dad, who played professionally,” she shared. While she didn’t immediately fall in love with the sport, everything changed after joining a club in 2020. “I met a lot of other talented junior golfers there, and being around them motivated me to really start playing and enjoying the game.”
Nikki learned about Youth on Course through her family and the SCPGA Junior Tour, and the program quickly became a key part of her routine. “Having access to $5 rounds made a huge difference for me,” she said. “It gave me the chance to explore and play new courses at a much more affordable price, which helped me practice more often and gain more experience.”
With more than 100 Youth on Course rounds played, Nikki credits that consistency with shaping her performance at the Rolex TOC. “Because I could play consistently, I built better discipline in my practice routines and got more confident in my decision-making on the course,” she explained. “Playing different layouts also improved my course management, which really showed during my Rolex TOC performance.”
Throughout the week, Nikki stayed steady and composed, recording 17 birdies and an eagle on her way to capturing her first AJGA Invitational title. The win was a defining moment. “Earning my title at the Rolex TOC meant a lot because it showed me that the work I’ve been putting in is paying off,” Nikki said. “It also gave me confidence heading into the next step of my career.”
As she prepares to join Stanford’s elite program, Nikki is eager for the challenges ahead. “I’m extremely excited to play for Stanford next fall,” she shared. “I’m really looking forward to being part of such an accomplished team with an incredible coaching staff and talented players.” The Rolex TOC victory has only strengthened her motivation. “It reminded me of what I’m capable of and made me want to keep progressing and seeing where the game can take me.”
Luke Ringkamp and Nikki Oh followed different paths, but their success at the 2025 Rolex Tournament of Champions highlights a shared truth: access matters. Through Youth on Course, both athletes were able to play more, learn more, and grow into elite junior golfers, balancing academics, competition, and personal development along the way.
Their victories in San Antonio are not just wins on the leaderboard; they’re a powerful reminder of what Youth on Course makes possible when young golfers are given the opportunity to chase their potential.