This year, the Utah PGA Junior Major tournament season saw remarkable participation, with 200 golfers qualifying through either automatic qualifications from the previous year or earning their spots via Q-school events. These players, members of the Junior Major season, competed for player points and tournament awards. The season’s success is proof of the hard work of the players, the host Professionals and the Utah PGA Jr. Series staff and interns, not only with the goal of competition but of camaraderie as well.
The tournament schedule featured a total of seven Junior Majors, consisting of five 36-hole events and two one-day events. These tournaments were spread across eight different golf courses throughout the state offering diverse, fun and challenging playing conditions. The addition of one-day events provided more playing opportunities and allowed players to accumulate more points towards the prestigious Player of the Year awards. This was a significant step towards enhancing the competitive junior golf landscape and ensuring that players had ample chances to improve while competing.
Utah PGA Junior Golf Manager Cassie Campos said, “A big focus of our program is to create a junior tournament environment that is enjoyable for all our players. I love to hear the players sit down after their round and tell me how much fun they had or a story about a great shot they hit. What we try to relay a lot to our players is that it may not be about the score after you are done playing, but the good times you had on the course, the friends you’ve made and the experiences that you are having.”
As the season progressed, players looked forward to the season ending Junior Major Championship teeing off today at Hobble Creek Golf Course in Springville, where 100 players will compete across four age divisions: Boys 13-15, Girls 13-16, Boys 16-18, and Girls 17-18. The Championship was open to all Junior Major members. This inclusive approach ensured that every member had a chance to compete for the top honors. The winners of the Championship and those earning Player of the Year awards in the 16-18 divisions earn exemptions into the Utah Open and the Utah Women’s Open, respectively.
The introduction of the Mountain Cup added another layer of excitement to the season. Following the Junior Major Championship, the top eight boys in the 16-18 division and the top four girls, excluding those who will be in college in September, form the Utah PGA teams to compete against juniors from the Colorado section. The opportunity to earn AJGA Performance stars and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings further motivated Junior Major members to compete on a national level.
Reflecting on the season, Annie Fisher highlighted the crucial role played by PGA Professionals in developing and supporting the tournament series. Their dedication to creating a competitive and enjoyable environment for junior golfers has been instrumental in the success of the Utah PGA Junior Majors. From excellent tournament conditions, to fun tee prizes and refreshments, Section Members have gone above and beyond to make each event special. The collective effort of the Utah PGA community has provided a high-level experience for Utah’s juniors, fostering a love for the game and creating lasting memories.
Fisher said, “This tournament series is extra special to me, because our PGA Professionals are the ones who developed it. In a meeting years ago they decided they wanted to create a tournament series that mirrored junior events from when they played junior golf. They wanted great competition, on great golf courses and a small payout for the kids to use in the pro shop.
“The PGA Professionals are all very involved in each of the events. The Glenmoor Major is our season opener, and Darci Olsen was there with a big happy welcome for the kids as we kicked off the season. She wanted to make sure lunches were on point, and tee prizes were fun. We had Dustin Volk, Davis County Director of Golf, out on the golf course making sure kids had bottles of water and that his courses were in great shape for the Valley View Davis event. Cody Lopez at Oquirrh Hills has always picked out an awesome tee prize and shows great passion to roll out the red carpet for the players. Wade Olsen was marshalling the golf course as the juniors participated at Old Mill and was excited to see them compete. Ryan Rhees takes great pride in the set up of his Utah County Rumble as he welcomes the kids to The Oaks at Spanish Fork. And what a treat to have a place like Hobble Creek be the closing event for the series. Utah PGA Vice President, Craig Norman has been a gracious host to the Junior Major Championship.
“There are so many other PGA Professionals who are or have been involved in the tournament series. We are proud to provide such a high level experience to the juniors in our state, and we couldn’t do it without such amazing support from our PGA Professionals. Without them, the Utah PGA Junior Majors wouldn’t exist.”
The Utah PGA Junior Major tournament season has been a resounding success, offering many golfers a platform to showcase their talents and grow in the sport. With inclusive qualifications, additional playing opportunities, and the introduction of the Mountain Cup, the season has been a journey of development, competition, and fun. The unwavering support of PGA Professionals has been the cornerstone of this success, giving junior golfers in Utah an exceptional experience and memories that will last a lifetime.