Local, regional and national organizations are teaming up to offer junior golfers – from the most competitive to the beginner – a wide range of playing and learning opportunities. Mass Golf continues to remain committed to working with these organizations and developing new programs to provide even more access to all young golfers.
Below is a summary of key junior programs for the Competitive Junior Golfer, the Aspiring Junior Golfer and the Just-Getting-Started Golfer in your life.
Mass Golf Championships – MassGolf.org
Mass Golf conducts state-wide championships to crown the top junior player in the state. Many former junior amateur players have gone on to successful amateur and professional careers in the Commonwealth and beyond. Here are links to the current opportunities: Junior Amateur Championship, Girls Junior Amateur Championship, Junior Tri-State Team Matches and Junior Inter-City Team Matches.
In addition to those opportunities, Mass Golf also sponsors the following events that include junior participation at the state-wide level: Father & Son Championship, Father & Daughter Championship, Mother & Son Championship and Mother & Daughter/Member & Junior Championship.
Youth On Course – MassGolf.org
Youth On Course (YOC) brings affordable course access to youth golfers throughout Massachusetts. The $20 annual membership fee gives youth golfers ages 6-18 access to play at any participating course throughout the Bay State and across the country for only $5 per round. When Juniors join Youth on Course through Mass Golf, they will also become Mass Golf members and receive the following member benefits. CLICK HERE to register.
New England Golf Association – NEGAgolf.org
The New England Golf Association (NEGA) is an amateur golf organization comprised of leaders from the six New England golf associations – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. One of the organization’s primary purpose is to conduct events, including the New England Junior Amateur Invitational where seven (7) junior golfers from each of the New England state golf associations are selected to compete in a 54 hole team and individual stroke play competition. Selection criteria is determined by each state golf association. *New in 2019, the NEGA will introduce a girls’ component to the New England Junior Amateur Invitational.
American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) – ajga.org
The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. This membership organization is geared towards those junior golfers who are looking to compete on an elite regional and national level. – AJGA Membership Benefits & Statistics
New England PGA Junior Tour – nepgajuniortour.com
The New England PGA Junior Tour was established in 1995 with a goal to help develop younger golfers as well as provide outstanding competitions on a local level. The New England PGA Junior Tour is open to all boys and girls ages 9-21 who reside in or are members of a golf course within the boundaries of the New England Section that employs a PGA Professional. In addition, the NEPGA’s Elite Tour is a set of two-day (36-holes) events for juniors 12-18 and is designed to provide junior golfers in New England Top-Level Competition in a local setting.
United States Challenge Cup – uschallengecup.org
The United States Challenge Cup provides junior golfers ages 8-19 the opportunity to develop their skills through a competitive tournament schedule. It offers: instructional opportunities through local PGA professionals, a junior mini-tour for novice to intermediate players (ages 8-15), 28 major competitions, and opportunities to qualify for 6 of the world’s top junior events: the Scott Robertson Memorial, the Junior World Golf Championships, the Golfweek/FCWT Invitational, the Optimist International Junior, the Doral Publix Junior and the Orange Bowl) and the Hornblower and the Francis Ouimet Memorial).
USGA Junior Championships – usga.org
The United States Golf Association (USGA) annually conducts national championships for girls and boys. Sectional qualifiers are conducted by Mass Golf.
International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT) – ijgt.com
A nationally ranked junior golf tour with more than 40 events hosted annually at United States golf venues, IJGT provides an opportunity for golfers age 9-19 to build their national junior status and earn exemptions to prestigious U.S. amateur events including the following: The Players Amateur, South Atlantic Amateur, Bobby Chapman Invitational, Optimist International, The Sea Pines Junior Heritage, and The IMG Junior World Golf. Championship.
Hurricane Junior Golf Tour – (HJGT) – hjgt.org
With over 14,000 participants last year alone, the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour is the largest junior open golf tour in the world. The Tour hosts over 275 two and three-day events in over 22 states around the country and has reached over 40,000 players since its inception, with over 5,000 players going on to play collegiate golf. The season concludes on the first weekend of December each year at an invitation-only weekend event in Orlando. You must qualify to attend this event by finishing either 1st, 2nd or 3rd in any open HJGT event within your age division. To learn more about HJGT’s tournaments and membership details, please visit www.hjgt.org. Mass Golf juniors are eligible for a 2019 membership discount. Connect with Chris Grillo to learn more at HJGT (407-614-2962 ext. 8 between the M-F 8am to 6pm EST).
Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS) – juniorgolfscoreboard.com
Founded in 1998, the Junior Golf Scoreboard is the leading and most widely followed dedicated information resource covering the sport of competitive Junior Golf worldwide. Junior Golf Scoreboard ranks more than 15,000 junior golfers and is considered to be the most comprehensive effort to track the talent of junior players. It’s tournament database list more 3,300 events both in the United States and Canada and somewhat worldwide, enabling parents and players to find competitions they can play in.
Mass Golf Championships – massgolf.org
In 2015, Mass Golf introduced the Young Golfers’ Amateur Championship in order to give those golfers under the age of 13 a chance to experience a championship in a fun environment. This is a stepping stone for young golfers looking to compete in the Massachusetts Junior Amateur Championship. Entries are open to amateur golfers from any Mass Golf Club or full-time Massachusetts residents who will not reach their 14th birthday by the start of Championship Proper.
Youth On Course – MassGolf.org
Youth On Course (YOC) brings affordable course access to youth golfers throughout Massachusetts. The $15 annual membership fee gives youth golfers ages 6-18 access to play at any participating course throughout the Bay State and across the country for only $5 per round. When Juniors join Youth on Course through Mass Golf, they will also become Mass Golf members and receive the following member benefits. CLICK HERE to register.
MIAA & Mass Golf Student-Athlete Program – massgolf.org
Mass Golf is teaming up with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) to provide student-athletes with a path to get more involved in the sport. Student-athletes are now able to obtain a USGA GHIN Handicap Index directly through Mass Golf. The program is complimentary and will provide young golfers with the ability to become more connected with the sport. Interested student-athletes should CLICK HERE to fill out the official MIAA & Mass Golf Student-Athlete form. Once submitted a member of the Mass Golf staff will contact each student-athlete to set up the USGA GHIN Handicap Index for the upcoming season.
Drive, Chip & Putt – drivechipandputt.com
A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. The Annual Championship is open to boys and girls ages 7-15. Boys and girls compete in separate divisions in four age categories: 7-9 years old; 10-11 years old; 12-13 years old; and 14-15 years old.
PGA Junior Golf League – pgajrleague.com
PGA Jr. League is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls to learn and enjoy the game of golf. Much like other recreational league sports, participants wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends. Each team is captained by a PGA or LPGA Professional, who serves as the coach and is at the forefront of creating a welcoming environment for all to enjoy the game. PGA Jr. League utilizes a popular scramble format that creates a nurturing environment for learning and development – both on and off course.
U.S. Kids Golf – uskidsgolf.com
The U.S. Kids Golf Program is great way for young players to begin playing tournament golf that’s close to home. A Local Tour consists of eight one-day tournaments including a season-ending one-day Local Tour Championship. Players earn awards and points for each tournament.
The First Tee of Massachusetts – thefirstteemass.org
The First Tee started as a way to bring an affordable junior golf program to youth and communities that did not have them. What The First Tee soon discovered was that blending the rules of the game with life and leadership skills, kids and teens didn’t just learn how to putt – they were learning important values. Mass Golf currently offers programming at seven program locations – D.W. Field Golf Course (Brockton), William J. Devine GC at Franklin Park (Boston), Hyannis Golf Course (Cape Cod), Fenway Golf Center (Springfield), The Links at Mass Golf (Norton), KOHR Golf (Natick) and Cranberry Valley (Harwich).
LPGA*USGA Girls Golf (Girls Golf) – girlsgolf.org
One of the only national junior golf program that specializes in providing girl-friendly environments for juniors to learn the game of golf. They aim to make the game of golf fun by teaching not just stance and swing but also valuable life skills like confidence and perseverance. Each of our 415 Girls Golf sites help prepare girls ages 6 – 17 for a lifetime of enjoyment of the game while also inspiring them to feel confident, build positive self-esteem and live active and healthy lives through The Five E’s of Girls Golf.
