East County Athlete of the Week: Brooklyn Cullen

Another shiny addition joined Brooklyn Cullen's golf trophy case late last month. She won the girls' 15-18-year-old division of The Junior Tour summer national championship, staged from June 25-27 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens. Cullen, a rising junior at The Out-of-Door Academy, shot a four-under-par 68 in her first round followed by 74 and 75 in her second and third rounds, respectively. She previously won the 2026 Winter National Championship in February and 2025 Summer National Championship on The Junior Tour, which is run by Under Armour. Cullen is the East County Athlete of the Week.

How did this latest performance compare to your previous successes on The Junior Tour?

I was confident going into this year. I knew the course (and) I knew the tour, so I felt good about it. I knew I could play my best when I stepped onto the course.

What are your goals for your junior year with ODA?

(My goals are) to win the SSAA title again — as an individual, and as a team. Then, I want to make it to (the FHSAA Class 1A state championship) as a team this year. I've made it individually the past two years, but I would love to go as a team.

When and why did you start playing golf?

I was 6 years old in Hawaii. I started playing because our local course (Princeville Makai Golf Club) had kids' lessons, and I just got into it and it's taken off since then.

How have you improved since the start of your sophomore year?

I've improved my (ball) speed a lot, and I had to get new clubs about two weeks ago. I just switched my clubs, so now, I'm getting definitely used to those. I'm gaining more distance and I've overall just gotten more consistent with my game. I understand how to get out of situations I put myself into.

What has been a recent focus of yours?

I've been focusing on lowering my score overall. After each round, I keep my stats and then I review them. I figure out the things that need to be tweaked.

Why have you stuck with golf?

I just love it so much. Competing is my favorite thing to do. I have so much fun, and I don't let it stress me out too much. I couldn't imagine myself not competing and doing this.

Which quote or piece of advice have you always carried with you?

"If you focus on the good, the good gets better."

What's a fun fact about you not many people know?

I grew up surfing in Hawaii. I did competitions from 5 to 10 years old.

If you could have membership at any golf course in the world, which would you choose?

The Makai Course on Kauai. That was the one I grew up on. I would love to go back and play every day. It's on the ocean... There were three or four holes where you're on the green and 100 yards away is the beach.

Finish this sentence. Brooklyn Cullen is...

Motivated.