Perhaps it’s fitting that posted just below the leaderboard at this week’s Callaway Golf Junior World Golf Championships is a list of the college coaches on site for the event. After all, the chance to talk recruiting, scholarships and college golf is part of what brings players and coaches thousands of miles to San Diego each summer.

With 180 of the top junior golfers in the world in one place at one time, the Junior Worlds are a golden opportunity for coaches to monitor current recruits or get a look at players who could fill out future rosters. For players without college commitments, it’s a chance to see and be seen by those with the keys to a free education.

“I just see it as another tournament,” said Vista’s Marco Gomez, who capped his junior season with a victory at the CIF section championship. “I’ve had a few coaches watch me, but I don’t really pay attention to all that. I can only focus on one thing at a time, and I just have to go out and play.”

Nonetheless, it can......