The Boulder resident Miles Kuhl, one of the best high school athletes in Colorado, has emerged as a bright star in the future of golf, showcasing remarkable growth and dominance as a junior golfer in the last two years. From an ordinary freshman season to an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Champion and qualifying for the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship, Kuhl’s journey is a testament to his hard work, mental growth, and strategic planning.
“I think a lot differently about how I approach the golf course now than I did as a freshman. I think It’s a maturity level thing, and I’ve worked hard to stay consistent in my practice,” Kuhl said.
His dedication paid off in 2023 when he achieved one of his primary goals, winning an AJGA event at Walnut Creek Golf Course in Denver last June. This win not only boosted his confidence but also caught the attention of collegiate golf programs across the country.
“Winning the AJGA Colorado Junior was the biggest step in my recruiting process. Before coaches could officially talk to me, I was already on their radar because of that win,” Kuhl said.
July 1st was the first-day college coaches were allowed to contact 2026 athletes. Kuhl received texts and calls from programs nationwide as early as midnight. Ultimately, he chose San Diego State University for its top-tier facilities and coaching staff.
“SDSU wasn’t always my first choice. I thought I’d end up in the SEC (Southeastern Conference), but when I visited some schools out there, none of them impressed me like SDSU did. The head coach Ryan Donavan produced Xander Schauffele out of there (currently the #2 ranked golfer in the world), the facilities and team culture really stood out,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl publicly announced his commitment after a strong performance at the Elite Junior Golf Invitational, where he shot rounds of 69, 68, and 74. While he had committed the week prior, he waited to share the news until after the tournament.
Looking ahead, Kuhl’s goals remain ambitious. He aims to break into the world’s top 25 junior golfers for the class of 2026, improve his ball striking, and compete in elite invitation-only junior tournaments such as the AJGA Dustin Johnson World Junior and the AJGA KJ Choi Invitational.
However, his ultimate aspirations are beyond junior golf.
“I want to win a national championship at SDSU, and ideally, earn status on the PGA Tour through college golf,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl’s growth isn’t just a result of talent but also strategic planning. He carefully selects tournaments that align with his goals, targeting events that have challenging players like the current number-one junior in the world according to Junior Golf Scoreboard Blades Brown. To prepare he spends his mornings on the range and putting green, then plays rounds on the course to simulate competition.
“I’ve always been routine-based. Taking advantage of every day has helped me make consistent progress,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl’s advice for other athletes is to stay disciplined and trust the process, which is what he always reminds himself.
“Be patient and do the right things every day. Someone is always working harder, so you have to stay focused,” Kuhl said.
Reflecting on his journey, Kuhl wishes he had started competing in AJGA high-level tournaments earlier, but his late start didn’t prevent him from reaching his goals.
As he prepares for his senior year, Kuhl remains focused on building towards collegiate and professional golf. With his determination and talent, he’s a great example of hard work and someone who can turn dreams into reality.
