Oceans may separate them, but the world’s top
junior golfers still find opportunities to compete with
each other. Many tournaments across the world have
embraced the global nature of today’s game and
invite other countries to participate in their biggest
events. The following are respected tournaments
where the best junior players will assemble in 2010:
ANNIKA INVITATIONAL
Feb. 12-15; Reunion (Fla.) Resort, Independence course
This all-girls event has quickly built international
recognition, largely thanks to the support of Annika
Sorenstam. The top five players at the inaugural Annika Invitational represented China, Colombia, Israel
and the United States, and there’s no reason to expect anything different in two weeks as the 72-player
field will feature players from nine countries.
HP BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP
Feb. 12-15, The Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio); The Woodlands, Texas
In its 24th year, champions of the event have
hailed from Denmark, Australia and China. It is the
longest-running, all-boys tournament on the AJGA
schedule and will attract players from five countries.
Past champions: Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, David Duval, Rickie Fowler.
AUSTRALIAN BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14-16; Launceston GC, Launceston, Tasmania
This 72-hole stroke play event has crowned
Australia’s top junior since 1982. New Zealand’s
Grant Waite claimed the first two titles, but players
from Queensland have claimed eight of the last 10.
Past champions: Adam Scott ( 2), Jason Day, Stuart
Appleby, Robert Allenby.
AUSTRALIAN GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP
April 14-16; Ulverstone GC; Launceston, Tasmania
First played in 1953 in conjunction with the Aus-
tralian Women’s Amateur, the Australian Girls’ has
been a 54-hole stroke-play event since 2000. From
1984-1999, the 16-player match-play field was deter-
mined by 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying, and prior
to that, the championship was stroke play. Past cham-
pions: Gloria Hee Jung Park ( 3), Jan Stephenson ( 3).
THUNDERBIRD INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR
May 28-31; Grayhawk GC (Raptor); Scottsdale, Ariz.
Since 2000, the Thunderbird International has
attracted the world’s top juniors. In 2009, 22 of 78
players were from 12 countries outside the United
States. Past champions: Ryan Moore, Casey Wittenberg, Virada Nirapathpongporn, Morgan Pressel.
TOYOTA JUNIOR GOLF WORLD CUP
June 14-18; Nagoya (Japan) GC
The World Cup invites four-man teams from 14
countries and will celebrate its 20th anniversary. The
United States leads with seven victories, but Americans have not won since 2005. In 2009, Argentina
claimed its first title in the 72-hole stroke play event.
ROLEX TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
June 28-July 2; Blessings GC, Johnson, Ark.
The first AJGA tournament has built a reputation
as a “can’t-miss” event since it began in 1978. American boys and girls are always there, along with a
handful of top international players. Past champions:
Phil Mickelson ( 3), Charles Howell III, Paula Marti,
Morgan Pressel.
EUROPEAN BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
July 6-10; Klassis G&CC, Turkey
EUROPEAN GIRLS TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
July 6-10; Aalborg GC, Denmark
Countries across Europe will send their premier
players to Europe’s most prestigious team event.
Denmark, led by Lucas Bjerregard, will be the defending champion at the Boys Team Championship.
Ireland won the Girls Team title for the first time last
year, led by twins Lisa and Leona Maguire.
JUNIOR OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
July 12-14; Lundin GC, Fife, Scotland
This biennial event attracts the top juniors
(16-and-under) from nations affiliated with The R&A.
The 54-hole stroke-play event is closely linked with
the Open Championship and is played on a nearby
course.
EVIAN MASTERS JUNIORS CUP
July 16-18; Evian (France) Masters GC
Since 2007, the Evian Masters Juniors Cup has
preceded the Evian Masters as a showcase for the
world’s top talent aged 14-and-under. This is the
place to catch a glimpse of the future stars of junior
golf.
U.S. JUNIOR AMATEUR
July 19-24; Egypt Valley CC, Ada, Mich.
A total of 2,916 contestants entered the 2009 U.S.
Junior Amateur. The championship begins with 36
holes of stroke play qualifying, after which the top 64
players compete in match play. In the event’s 62-year
history, Tiger Woods is the only repeat champion
(1991-93). Past champions: Woods( 3), Hunter Mahan, David Duval, Johnny Miller, Gary Koch.
U.S. GIRLS’ JUNIOR
July 19-24; The Country Club of North Carolina;
Pinehurst, N.C.
A record 999 contestants entered the 2009 U.S.
Girls’ Junior Championship, surpassing the 929 entries in 2008. Like the boys, the 64-player match play
field is determined by 36 holes of stroke play qualifying. U.S. Girls’ Junior champions have won the
Women’s Amateur and the Women’s Open 10 times
each, and 17 champions have gone on to represent
the U.S. on the Curtis Cup team. Past champions: Ju-lieta Granada, In-Bee Park, Pat Hurst, Nancy Lopez.
R&A BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP
Aug. 9-15; Kilmarnock (Barassie) & Irvine GC, Scotland
Organized in 1921 and now conducted by
The R&A, the Boys Amateur Championship has
a lengthy history of bringing together top players from Europe and the United States. The event
features 252 boys, with the top 64 after two rounds
of stroke play advancing to match play. Past champions: Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia, Kenneth
Ferrie, Pablo Martin.
DUKE OF YORK CHAMPIONS TROPHY
Sept. 14-16; Royal St. George’s, Sandwich, Kent, England
National junior champions from across Europe,
with a handful of players from other continents,
have gathered since 2001 for this 54-hole stroke
play championship where boys and girls compete
alongside each other for one trophy. Past participants include Rory McIlroy, Oliver Wilson and Anna
Nordqvist.
JUNIOR PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 2-5; TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
The home of The Players is also home to this
unique boys event, now in its fourth year. Here, the
world’s best are able to experience a week similar
to the pros. The course is set up identically to what
is found at The Players, and the competitors come
from across the globe. Past champions: Morgan
Hoffmann, Evan Beck, Bobby Wyatt
POLO GOLF JUNIOR CLASSIC
Nov. 20-26; PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach
Gardens, Fla.
Since 1978, the American Junior Golf Association
has conducted this match play event that invites boys
and girls from around the world. Former champions
have hailed from Sweden, England, South Africa,
Denmark, South Korea, Paraguay and Italy, as well
as the United States. Past champions: Tiger Woods,
Stewart Cink, Trevor Immelman, Hunter Mahan,
Stefania Croce, Vicki Goetze and Paula Creamer. l
