About
PGA Junior League Golf is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 9 - 13 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 Junior League Golf utilizes a popular scramble format that creates a nurturing environment for learning and development - both on and off course.
With more than 2,500 teams and 30,000 participants in 2016 - and Ambassadors like Rory McIlroy and Michelle Wie - PGA Junior League Golf has wide-ranging appeal for both youth and their parents.
Mission, Vision and Values
PGA Junior League Golf
PGA Junior League Golf is the key youth initiative of PGA REACH, the charitable arm of the PGA of America. As such, the program focuses on fun, recreation, good health and sportsmanship. PGA Junior League Golf is recreational and developmental in nature and works with PGA Sections and local youth organizations across the country to offer an alternative, social golf format. This unique approach highlights team play versus individual competition and serves as a feeder system to transition youth golfers to existing junior golf programs.
HISTORY OF
PGA Junior League Golf
PGA Junior League Golf began in 2011, with teams competing in Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas, and San Diego. The inaugural PGA Junior League Championship was held in September of the same year at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA. Team Atlanta claimed the first-ever PGA Junior League Championship.
From the program's humble beginnings, participation has skyrocketed. PGA Junior League now boasts over 30,000 youth participants and 2,500 teams in 48 states and all 41 PGA Sections.
Format & Rules
The Basics
At its core, PGA Junior League Golf is a group of local golf teams who play a series of games against each other, utilizing a nurturing and social scramble format. The program is available to boys and girls, ages 9 - 13, of all abilities. PGA and LPGA Professionals exclusively serve as Captains and are responsible for creating a welcoming environment for all that encourages skill and character development.
Game
A game is played between two teams. Depending on who the home team is, in addition to course scheduling and availability, will determine where the game is played.
During the course of a game, four matches are played by at least two players from each team against each other.
The winner of the game is determined by the total number of points won within all matches.
Friends, family and spectators are encouraged to attend and watch - but not participate or aide - each game!
Team
A team is a collection of eight to twelve players, boys and girls of any ability, who work together during the course of a game against another team.
Each team is Captained and instructed by a PGA or LPGA Professional and may have the administrative assistance of a parent volunteer/coach to assist in the administration of team business.