North Florida Junior Golf Foundation and Tour

Description

The Making of a Premier Junior Tour In the early 1990’s two groups, one in Jacksonville and the other in St. John’s County started junior golf group play, primarily to give high school age golfers some summer competition. Only about 30 players were involved at the time. In 1994, the two groups got together and formed the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation. The North Florida section of the PGA local professionals took over the direction of the program. Titleist became the title sponsor and the Tour was renamed the “Titleist Junior Golf Foundation of North Florida”. There were approximately 80 players and they competed in divisions by age groups. By 1997, the Tour had expanded to more than 200 participants and players were divided into two flights based upon their level of skill determined by a 36-hole qualifying tournament. The program expanded in 1998 to include more benefits for the players including a newsletter, a player’s directory and the addition of the winter tour. By then participation had reached 230 players not only representing all parts of the Jacksonville metropolitan area, but including some who were as far as a 2 hour drive from tournament sites. The Tour was renamed the PGA TOUR Junior Golf Foundation in appreciation of the involvement of the PGA TOUR both in terms of financial commitment and the donation of facilities and operational support. In 1999, with 250 players, a third division was added – the Foundation Tour featuring special summer