Everywhere around Ohio junior programs are available to get kids started in golf.
One of the first junior golf programs in the country began in Toledo in 1973. The Toledo Junior Golf Association is celebrating 45 years of providing a series of great tournaments for NW Ohio junior golfers to enjoy competitive competition and prepare for high school golf in the fall. Many have gone on to become top college players and a few even made it to the professional tours.
Miami Valley Golf Association has a myriad of junior golf opportunities, which can be found at their website: http://www.miamivalleygolf.org/youth-1597.html
MVGA has a goal to reach 500 kids in the Dayton area in 2018. Through programs such as, PGA Golf League, The First Tee, Drive, Chip & Putt, Evans Scholars, Youth on Course, as well as, other junior programs, they are well on their way to reach that goal.
Annually the Ohio Golf Association conducts the Ohio Junior Amateur, which is open to any junior golfer with two age divisions, 16-18 and 15 and under. It is a 36-hole event and this year will be held at the York Golf Club outside of Columbus on June 11-13.
The Columbus District Golf Association also hosts the CDGA Junior Championship for both boys and girls.
Also, in Central Ohio the Central Ohio Golf Tour conducts five junior events in June and July.
Youth on Course
Once junior golfers, ages 6-18, register to become Youth on Course members, they are eligible to play golf for $5.00 at a host of courses around the country.
Started by the Northern California Trust, Youth on Course also provides caddie training and helps young people high school internships and college scholarships.
The First Tee
There are several First Tee chapters around the state that help introduce golf to all children. The First Tee began as a joint effort of the LPGA, the Masters Tournament, the PGA, the PGA Tour, and the USGA. It is now under the guidance of the World Golf Foundation.
The First Tee provides affordable golf to all children, especially those in economically distressed communities. In addition to learning the game of golf, they stress nine core values to grow leadership and life skills.
To find a First Tee chapter in your area visit: https://thefirsttee.org/
Drive Chip & Putt
The 2018 Drive, Chip & Putt Finals were recently concluded at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday prior to the Masters Tournament. The first Drive, Chip & Putt competitions were held in 2013 with the finals held in April, 2014.
Televised by the Golf Channel DCP has become a huge event for junior golfers. The Ohio qualifiers for 2018 are available at: https://www.drivechipandputt.com/#forward
PGA Junior League
The PGA Junior League offers coaching by PGA and LPGA professionals and is open to both boys and girls under the age of 17. It provides a less threatening team atmosphere for young kids to get started playing golf. Two-man teams compete in a scramble format versus teams from neighboring courses.
Ultimately teams qualify and compete in the post season tournament. The Sub-Regionals, Regionals and National Championship are contested at some of the finest courses in the country.
In 2017 the National Championship was held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona with Team Georgia victorious over the New Jersey team.
Look for a PGA Junior Golf League team at your local golf club.
AJGA
American Junior Golf Association is the premier junior golf league in the country. More than 300 AJGA alumni play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have earned more than 830 Tour victories.
The AJGA is dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.
Three AJGA events are held in Ohio:
The AJGA Preview at Champions is hosted by Champions Golf Course in Columbus. It is a 36-hole stroke play event open to 78 golfers.
The Memorial Junior is contested at The Virtues Golf Club in Nashport. It is a 54-hole stroke play open to 96 players.
The Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation Junior All-Star is held at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman. It is played over 54 holes with a 36-hole cut and is open to 132 golfers.
This is just a short list of the golfing opportunities available for juniors in Ohio. Check with your local club or professional to find out what is on tap for junior golf in your
