How Jonathan Tso battled injuries to become one of HS's top golfers

Jonathan Tso’s journey to the pinnacle of Arizona high school golf is defined by determination and an unwavering love for the game.

For four consecutive years at Prescott High School, he dominated the links, earning recognition as an outstanding athlete and a symbol of perseverance.

In sixth grade, Tso fell while playing basketball and injured his hip. What started out as a microfracture turned into a complete hip fracture. He underwent several surgeries to repair the injury, then finally learned he would have to have a complete hip replacement.

“He told me he hadn’t been able to play a round of golf on foot in a few years,” said Dan Paul, head golf coach at Prescott.

When Paul first met Tso, he was in eighth grade. He accompanied his future coach in a golf cart while the latter told him that he had a doctor’s appointment next week to find out what should be done for his hip.

“I was speechless when he told me,” Paul said, recalling his concern for the young golfer. “I asked him what he thought and he said, ‘I’m excited.’ The doctor told me that I will be able to play 18 holes of golf without pain for the first time in years.

The answer impressed Paul. The 13-year-old wasn’t afraid of the process, just of his future afterward.

Tso said this approach was important.

“I’ve always had challenges in my life with golf and injuries, and I’ve always kept that mindset just to keep going,” Tso said.

Tso’s operation was successful. The recovery process kept him from playing golf during his eighth grade year. He was cleared to play for the first day of high school golf tryouts.

“Jonathan was jumping out of his skin excited that first day of practice,” Paul said. “He played with three of my upperclassmen…beating them all.”

Tso was thriving in all aspects of his game in high school, until the summer before his senior season, when he dislocated his shoulder during speed practice.

He had an MRI the following week and learned he had a torn labrum. He has seen a few doctors and undergone physical therapy and is expected to need surgery. But when he met with a surgeon, he was told his shoulder was healing and he was cleared to play soon after.

Tso then played in his first tournament in months late last summer, the Arizona High School Fall Preview in August at the Grand Canyon University Golf Course in Phoenix.

He shot two rounds of 67 to finish at 8 under par, breaking the lowest score in Prescott history, and finished second overall in the tournament.

Tso finished the regular season with the lowest overall score differential in the state. He was the No. 2 golfer in all of Arizona according to iWanamaker’s rankings.

Tso was named AIA All-Region Player of the Year during his junior and senior years. Tso’s accomplishments also extend to the classroom, as he has twice won Prescott’s Student of the Month award.

“I’ve never given up on anything in my life,” Tso said. “Throughout all of this, I ask myself why stop now? You’ve come this far. Just keep going.

Tso mentors young golfers through Prescott’s spring and summer programs, sharing his expertise and passion for the game.

He also began offering private lessons to aspiring players, helping them hone their skills and build their confidence.

Tso said he has received several scholarship offers to play college golf, but has not yet decided where he will go.