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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. When you register for membership you will also need to pay the 2012 membership fee, $30. After you complete the registration process, you will receive a welcome kit that will include additional information regarding our policies, how to register for events, and a member bagtag. Additionally, if you wish to participate in any OJG Majors, you will also need to pass the OJG Rules Quiz.
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?
If your child will celebrate an 8th birthday on or before August 15, our registration system will still allow your child to register, 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. Note that we also allow eligible 18 year olds to play in our season ending Tournament of Champions (players become eligible by winning their division in any OJG Major or Sanctioned Tournament).
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. To view the guideilnes the Junior Golf Committee currently uses for players wishing to play up, please click here.
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 $55 for a two-day competition and $20-$30 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 and your experience at these events may vary.
How do I know when registration opens?
In 2012, OJG is making the registration process a lot easier. All events will open for pre-registration on May 1, however, we will continue to use three waves for the official opening date as shown below. All event details will be populated on our online schedule and the downloadable tournament key in late April.
| Event Date | Pre-Registration Opens | Official Registration Date |
| May, June, or Early July | May 1 | May 7 |
| July or Early August | May 1 | June 6 |
| August | May 1 | July 10 |
What is Pre-Registration?
Pre-registration begins on May 1 and is new this year and has been provided only for convenience. Though it allows juniors and/or parents the convenience of submitting entries for our events beginning May 1, it does not guarantee approval into an event through early entry. For example, pre-registration will be available for the Central Oregon Junior beginning May 1. However, the event officially opens for registration on June 6 and all entries submitted on, or before, June 6 will have an official Date of Entry of June 6. All entries submitted after June 6 will have a Date of Entry matching the date the entry is submitted.
Do events fill?
Yes, Oregon Junior Golf serves nearly 1000 youth in Oregon and SW Washington. We continue to add additional events to accommodate as many members as possible but many events will overfill 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. Because of this we recommend you register for events as early as possible. If an evern overfills we use this linked document to determine what order players will be approved in.
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, part of the Jacobsen Youth Initiative
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 8 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.
OJG Sanctioned Tournaments
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
OJG Majors
OJG has two levels of Majors. The first being all two-day majors. These are a great place to gain experience competing 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. An even higher level of competition will be found at our two 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 in late April.
National and Regional Qualifying Events
Oregon Junior Golf conducts various national and regional qualifiers. These events feature the very highest caliber players.
How do I gain an invitation to represent Oreogn Junior Golf in the various team events?
Oreogn Junior Golf, Junior Team Points are the primary selection criteria and are earned at all OJG Majors. To learn more about Junior Team Points, click here. To learn more about the team competitions Oregon Junior Golf sends junior to, please click here.
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 division winners of all OJG Majors and Sanctioned Tournaments are invited.
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.
Comments
503-981-4653 2840 Hazelnut Dr. Wilsonville, OR 97071 © Copyright 2012 Oregon Golf Association. All Rights Reserved.
I am looking for tournaments that my grandaughter, who is 7 years old could participate in. She has entered our club championship 8 and under tournaments as a 5 and 6 year old and won them both. Help her out!