Here is a list of regional and national golf associations that college coaches consider strong tournaments:
Regional
• PGA of America Sections (www.pga.com)
• State Golf Associations
• Regional Golf Associations' Junior Championships
• City Championships
• High School Tournaments and State Championships
• Local Country Club Inter Club Matches
National
• United States Golf Association (www.usga.org)
• American Junior Golf Association (www.ajga.org)
• Future Collegians World Tour (www.fcwtgolf.com)
• International Junior Golf Tour (www.ijgt.com)
• Nike Winternational Junior Series of Golf (www.nikejuniorgolf.com)
• PGA Junior Series (www.pga.com)
• Plantations Junior Golf Tour (www.pjgt.com)
• Power-bilt Junior Tour (www.juniorgolf.org)
• Southeastern Junior Golf Tour (www.sjgt.com)
• "The Junior Tour" (www.thejuniortour.com)
There is also a good website that lists many of the local and regional junior events in each state: www.juniorgolfscoreboard.com.
The following is a simple guide to parents and juniors determine what level of play each player is ready for:
Level 1 - Local Tournaments
(Based on 18-hole scoring averages)
• Boys - 110 and below: Ready for local golf course and country club tournaments
• Girls - 125 and below: Ready for city and county association tournaments
Level 2 - State and Regional Tournaments
(Based on 18-hole scoring averages)
• Boys - 89 and below: Ready for state golf association and PGA sectional tournaments
• Girls - 95 and below: Ready for high school championships
Level 3 - National Tournaments
(Based on 18-hole scoring averages)
• Boys - 78 and below: Ready for USGA junior events and national tournaments such as the AJGA circuit
• Girls - 84 and below: Ready for USGA junior events and national tournaments such as the AJGA circuit
About the Author
Frank Mantua is a Class A PGA Professional and Director of Golf at US Golf Camps. Frank has taught golf to thousands of juniors from more than 25 countries. More than 60 of his students have gone on to play at Division I colleges. Mantua has also published five books and numerous articles on junior golf and junior golf programs. He was one of the founding members of the National Association of Junior Golfers, and is one of the few golf professionals in the country that is also a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Frank also serves as the Junior Golf Specialist on ESPN Radio's "On Par with the Philadelphia PGA".
