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Junior Golf - Frequently Asked Questions
Please view the following questions and, if you still have more, let us know by e-mail at juniorgolf@oga.org or give us a call at 866-981-4653. We're happy to help!
What is Oregon Junior Golf?
Oregon Junior Golf seeks to promote life skills and values to kids through the game of golf. Since its inception, over 10,000 young golfers between the ages of 8 and 17 have participated in Oregon Junior Golf. The Oregon Golf Association established Oregon Junior Golf Fund, Inc. as a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation for the purpose of introducing children to the sport as well as develop competitive junior golfers.
Oregon Junior Golf oversees a nationally recognized junior golf program for over 1,100 youth in Oregon and SW Washington. Each year, it presents more than 60 days of competition and more than 6,000 rounds of competitive golf for Junior Golfers ranging in age from 8 through 17.
Most successful high school golfers honed their skills in Oregon Junior Golf competitions, and many earn scholarships to Division 1 programs as a result of capturing the attention of the golf coaches that attend our events.
Oregon Junior Golf also has developed one of the premiere regional junior golf competitions in the country, the Hogan Cup. Hogan Cup alumni include tour players such as Ricky Fowler, Jamie Lovemark, Fred Couples, Scott Simpson, Robert Gamez, Kirk Triplett, John Fought, Peter Jacobsen, Jeff Quinney, Casey Martin, Michael Putnam, Ricky Barnes, Jason Gore and Tiger Woods.
What are my benefits as a member of Oregon Junior Golf?
As a member of Oregon Junior Golf you are also a member of the Oregon Golf Association. If you do not already have a USGA Handicap Index, you will be assigned a GHIN number. This GHIN number allows you to post your scores and earn a USGA Handicap Index. After paying your $20 membership fee you will need to pass the required Rules Quiz. Completing these easy steps ensures that you will be mailed a junior golf packet that contains information on how to access downloadable entry forms and online registration to more than 40 state, regional and national championships.
Who is eiligible?
Juniors between the ages of 8 and 17 that live in SW Washington or Oregon are eligible to become members of Oregon Junior Golf.
What if my child is only 7 but will be 8 later this summer?
The membership registration system will still allow your child to register for membership, however they will not be eligible to play in Junior events until their 8th birthday.
What if I am currently 17 but will turn 18 later this summer?
You are eligible to participate in all events that are scheduled to be completed prior to your 18th birthday.
Do you have divisions and how are the divided up?
Yes, Oregon Junior Golf has the following divisions with approximate course yardages as listed below:
Pee Wee Girls – 8 to 11 years old (9-holes, 2400 – 2800 yards)
Intermediate Girls – 12 to 14 years old (5200 – 5800 yards)
Girls – 15 to 17 years old (5200 – 5800 yards)
Pee Wee Boys – 8 to 11 years old (9-holes, 2400 – 2800 yards)
Intermediate Boys – 12 to 13 years old (6000 - 6400 yards)
Boys – 14 to 15 years old (6500 – 6800 yards)
Juniors – 16 to 17 years old (6500 – 6800 yards)
I am a good player and win many of the events in my age division. May I play in an older age group?
The OGA stresses that you compete in the division according to your age. To date, only one OGA Junior has been given permission to compete in an older age bracket.
Do I need a USGA Handicap Index to participate in Oregon Junior Golf events?
Not for most of the championships but there are several that require a USGA Handicap Index. An example is the U.S. Junior and U.S. Junior Girls Amateur qualifier and the Oregon Junior Stroke Play Championship. If an event has a handicap limit, you will find this information on the tournament entry form.What is the average entry fee?
Is there an entry fee to play in events?
Yes, each event has a separate entry fee that is determined by both the OGA and the host course. A good rule of thumb is $40 for a two-day competition and $15-$25 for a one day tournament. Your entry fee normally includes lunch and prizes. Greens fees will always be included in the entry fee. For convenience Oregon Junior Golf does list some non-sanctioned events on our tournament schedule, however and we have no influence over entry fees charged at these events.
How do I know when registration opens?
Details, like the opening of registration, can be found on the tournament key that will be provided in your membership packet. For the most part, you may register for events according to the following schedule:
Event Date Registration Opens
June or Early July Second Week of May
July or Early August Second Week of June
August Second Week of July
Do events fill?
Yes, Oregon Junior Golf serves nearly 1000 children in Oregon and SW Washington. We continue to add additional events to accommodate as many members as possible but many events will sell-out and you are encouraged to sign-up as soon as possible once an event opens for registration. If you sign-up when an event is already full you will be placed on the waiting list.
What happens if I am wait-listed for a tournament?
In the event that you enter a tournament and you are placed on a waiting list, you will be contacted if a spot opens and you are next up on the wait list. Anyone not gaining entrance into an event will not be charged an entry fee.
What event is right for me?
Oregon Junior Golf has a variety of events that are suitable for a wide range of skills.
Erling Jacobsen Tour
Juniors who are just getting into golf are encouraged to sign-up to participate in Erling Jacobsen events. The Erling Jacobsen Tour is a non-competitive play day for novice golfers who are at least 12 years of age but no older than 17 years of age. Various USGA Rules are addressed in a short educational demonstration. All prizes are awarded by a drawing while lunch is being served. Erling Jacobsen, the father of Peter and David Jacobsen and for whom the tour is named, was known for his support of junior golfers of all skill levels.
One-Day Events
Once you are comfortable on the course you are encouraged to sign-up and participate in one-day tournaments in your area. At all one-day events, Oregon Junior Golf Members will compete with others juniors in their own division.
Two-Day Events
Two-day events are a great place to compete against better competition. Because many two-day events are team point earning events, many of the Oregon Junior Golf’s best Juniors will compete in these events.
State Championships (Oregon Junior Stroke Play, Bob Norquist Oregon Junior Amateur)
These are the most prestigious events conducted by Oregon Junior Golf and event details can be viewed on the Junior Golf Schedule beginning in the first week in May.
National and Regional Qualifying Events
Oregon Junior Golf conducts national and regional qualifiers for the US Junior and the US Girls’ Junior as well as the Callaway Junior World Championship.
How do I qualify for team events? Why are some championships preceded by an * on the tournament calendar?
Championships that have an * in front of their name are designated team performance events. Performance points earned in these tournaments count towards making an Oregon Junior Golf Team. Complete team information will be made available in your membership packet to be mailed out beginning May 2nd.
How do I receive an invitation to the OGA Junior Tournament of Champions?
The OGA Junior Tournament of Champions is a year-end event in which Champions of sanctioned OGA junior tournaments are invited. All Oregon Junior Golf Members that have won a sanctioned OJG event are eligible to participate.
May I use a pull cart or must I carry my bag?
All players are welcome to use a pull cart unless the host club disallows them.
My Grandparents would like to watch me play but need to rent a motorized cart to negotiate the course. Are spectator carts allowed?
Spectators may rent a motorized cart providing they have a DMV permit. No exceptions.
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