The WNYPGA Junior Tour is home to one of the largest Junior Golf programs in the region. Each year, the Junior Program serves nearly 250 Junior Members and their families. The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour provides an opportunity and atmosphere for juniors to enjoy the camaraderie, friendship, and sportsmanship of competitive golf at a series of premier venues throughout the Western New York PGA Section. Since its inception in 1999, the WNYPGA Junior Tour has conducted over 20,000 rounds of golf. Players in all divisions will compete in a season-long points race to qualify for the season-ending Junior Golf Tour Championship. The WNYPGA Junior Tour offers several age groups and provides 9 Hole and 18 Hole options to best fit each junior’s skill level and help them to reach their competitive goals and the development of their golf game. The Tour’s main mission is to promote the growth of the game and is open to all skill levels of golfers.

ELIGIBILITY: The WNYPGA Junior Tour is open to juniors residing within the boundaries of the WNYPGA Section, members of the BDGA and/or members of the RDGA , and Canadian players who have reached the age of 10 yrs but will not reach their 19th birthday before August 1, 2024

Divisions & Yardages based on ADM model:

• Boys 16-18 yrs: up to 7,200 yds
• Boys 13-15 yrs: up to 6,400 yds
• Girls 16-18 yrs: up to 6,400 yds
• Girls 13-15 yrs: up to 5,800 yds
• Boys 9 Hole (10-12 yrs): up to 5,500 yds
• Girls 9 Hole (10-12 yrs): up to 4,750 yds

*Age as of June 30th, 2024 will determine age division placement.

• Play some of the best courses in WNY 
• Develop your golf knowledge
• Competition to fit each golfer’s skill level
• Make lifetime friends and have fun!

Tour Membership fee $150.00 (non-refundable) per player regardless of division.

• Unlimited access to Junior Tour events with paid entry fee
• Tour Swag
• Access to World Golf Handicap
• Junior Golf Hub & Junior Scoreboard
• Player of the Year Eligibility

9 Hole Division:

The 9 Hole Division introduces the beginner golfer to tournament play. The goal of the 9 Hole Division is to prepare golfers for moving up the tournament ladder. This division is designed for the golfer that is not yet at the 18 Hole Division level but is ready to start competitive golf.

Divisions & Yardages based on ADM model:

• Boys 9 Hole (10-12 yrs): up to 5,500 yds
• Girls 9 Hole (10-12 yrs): up to 4,750 yds

Score Limits: Boys and Girls must average below 70 for 9 holes.

Caddies: Caddies are not allowed. Players must carry their own clubs or use a push/pull cart.

Awards: Medals awarded to top three finishers & Player of the Year points for all who turn in a scorecard.

9 Hole Eligible Event Types:

• Single day 9-hole events 
• Players who place in the top of the Player of the Year Points race following the last regular season event will be invited to the Tour Championship in August. 

18 Hole Division:

The 18-Hole Division provides professionally run 18-hole and 36-hole events for the golfer looking to grow in their tournament experience.

Divisions & Yardages based on ADM model:

• Boys 16-18 yrs: up to 7,200 yds
• Boys 13-15 yrs: up to 6,400 yds
• Girls 16-18 yrs: up to 6,400 yds
• Girls 13-15 yrs: up to 5,800 yd

Score Limits: Maintain a stroke average below 120.

Caddies: Caddies are not allowed. Players must carry their own clubs or use a push/pull cart.

Awards: Medals awarded to top three finishers & Player of the Year points for all who turn in a scorecard.

• 18 Hole Events: Medals awarded to top three finishers
• 36 Hole Events: Trophies awarded to top two finishers and double Player of the Year Points
• Player of the Year points for all who who turn in a scorecard
• 36 Hole Majors are subject to receiving JGS, GJGR, and potential AJGA Performance Based Entry Stars (AJGA are not guaranteed).
• All 36 hole event results are sent to the National Junior Golf Scoreboard and Junior Golf Hub’s college recruiting platform.
• & MORE!

18 Hole Eligible Event Types:

• Single day 18 hole events
• 36 Hole Majors, season dependent
• Qualifying juniors may be invited to any of the following events:
  • WNYPGA Junior Tour Final Championship in August

2024 Junior Tour Handbook Final Edition.docx

Player Expectations 

The following expectations, clearly stated in our Junior Tour Handbook, will be strictly enforced moving forward at all of our events.  These expectations, when met, make for a more enjoyable experience and provide for a better learning and competitive environment.

Player Expectations: Have fun! Develop not only your game but your people skills. Compete fairly & honestly. Playing tournament golf requires not only a higher level of skill but a higher regard for the rules & etiquette along with a greater commitment to being an honest competitor.  

Confrontation or bullying of any kind will result in immediate disqualification from the event with the potential for future denial from tournament entry.

When you first arrive at the course, find a Junior Tour staff member and check-in. Confirm your start time and receive your check-in code, then you can make your way to the practice areas.

Report to the 1st tee a minimum of 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tee time and be ready to tee off. This will allow the starter to make necessary adjustments to pairings, if required. You should bring any spectators with you as well, for review of Spectator Expectations.

Pace of play is key!  ou want to keep pace with the group in front of you. Tough holes happen and you will fall behind at times; however, it is the group’s responsibility to catch back up. Course management goes a long way in keeping pace with the group in front of you. Tour staff will be monitoring play throughout the event and most times you will see us with a smile and a wave to indicate all is good. We will stop and ask a group to work towards getting back into position with the group in front of them if out of position. We most likely will check back a few holes later to see how a slower group has progressed in catching up.  

As players, you are responsible for your spectators. Your spectators must never be in the fairway. They must remain in the rough and at least a shot ahead of your group, only exception to this is helping to find a lost ball; however, once found or declared lost, and the appropriate steps taken to correct, they should return to staying a shot ahead. You should be taking no advice from them. Remember: Penalties or disqualifications could occur.

**  Think of it this way, no one ever saw Tiger’s dad walking down the middle of the fairway with him! **

Tournament Rules:

The WNYPGA Junior Tour is a strong believer and advocates for fair play and competition for all. One of the best ways to achieve that is by having our players know the Rules of Golf and how they pertain to tournament golf while playing in our Tour events. It is the player’s responsibility to know the rules. Spectators are not to be used as rules officials.

NEW: Beginning in the 2024 season each player will be required to take a rules-etiquette-course
management encompassing test to be eligible for PLAYER OF THE YEAR. This will be an “open book” test focusing on the most common rules and situations players will encounter. They can, and are actually encouraged to, use the USGA Rules app to complete the test. When a score of 75% or higher is reached the player will be able to register for individual events. A player may take the test multiple times to reach the 75% goal if needed. The test will be part of the membership registration process.

Spectators Expectations:

As much as we want the players to have fun, we want you to as well. There are memories to be made during these events and we want them to be positive ones.  

*All spectators should report to the 1st tee with their player for a brief review of expectations at each event.

*Please refrain from using a cellphone on the golf course.

Spectators are to remain at least a shot ahead at all times. As stated above, the exception would be when helping to find a ball, but once the situation is settled, you must resume your appropriate positioning.  

You are not allowed to offer any advice or coaching to your player. We want our players to learn to deal with situations within themselves and within their pairings. Scoring issues should be rectified within the pairing.

Confrontational behavior or speaking towards a player, another spectator, or staff member will not be tolerated. This is absolute!! It will result in removal from the event and/or prohibition from future events.

Our staff is limited, but we will be monitoring the players and spectators as best we can during the round. Our goal is to drive by with just a smile and a wave. If this happens, it means everyone is in a great position and expectations are being met.  

The WNY PGA Junior Tour believes that by maintaining all of the above, by player and spectator, all of the players will thrive and have fun while competing. 

WNYPGA Junior Tour Qualifying Sites 2024:

May 19th @ Lockport Town and Country Club (18 holers only)

June 1st @ Stafford CC

The Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship Series (NB3 JGNC) is a 2-stage qualifying process culminating in a 54-hole National Championship that will air on Golf Channel during a 2-hour broadcast. The Series is open to all players. In 2024, players who qualify through the available qualifying spots below will move onto the NB3 Ohio Boys Regional Final on July 18th – 19th at the Mill Creek GC (Boys Only) and the PKB/NB3 Michigan Girls Regional Final on August 1st – 2nd (Girls Only). If a player is unable to make it to the above Regional Finals, please contact our office at 407-675-4567 or email us at info@jgnc.org and we will transfer the player to a tournament that does work for their schedule (based on availability).

The NB3 JGNC will offer the following Qualifying Spots by Division into their respective Regional Finals:

• Boys 16-18: 3 spots
• Boys 13-15: 3 spots
• Girls 16-18: 3 spots
• Girls 13-15: 3 spots

*A player’s age division is determined by their age on May 1st and age divisions are as follows for the NB3 JGNC Series for both boys and girls: 16-18, 14-15, 12-13, and 10-11. If a player turns 14 in July of 2024, they will compete in the 12-13 Division throughout the entirety of the NB3 JGNC Series even though they may be 14 during a Local Event or Regional Final. If a player turns 14 before May 1st of 2024, then the player will compete in the 14-15 Division throughout the entirety of the NB3 JGNC Series. If your birthdate falls on May 1st and you turn 14, you will play in the 14-15 division (This age cutoff applies for all Divisions). If a player is 19 or attending College during the Local/Regional/Championship stages of the NB3 JGNC, they will not be able to participate.

How will I know my tee time and who I will be paired with for an event? Tee times and pairings typically go out 2-3 days via email before the scheduled tournament, along with an information sheet that is specific to the event host location. Information like, driving range access, availability & cost of spectator carts, safety items, etc. will also be included. Tee times & pairings can also be found on your My Blue Golf app.

What do I do if my player cannot play in an event? If your player cannot play in an event they have signed up for, and it is before the entry deadline, follow the attached instructions as you can manage from your MyBlue Golf account. If after the entry deadline, then email Julie Haile at jhaile@pgahq.com.

What happens if my player wakes up ill the morning of an event? Please TEXT Julie Haile at (585) 993-0513.

Are Jr Tour events canceled due to bad weather? See our Tour Weather Policy in the Handbook, but simply put, NO. Unless the course is closed due to unplayable conditions, we will play. Always check your email before leaving for the golf course as conditions can change quickly.

How early should I arrive before my tee time? All players are asked to be to the first tee and ready to play a minimum of 10 minutes prior to their scheduled tee time. This will allow for tournament instructions, last minute unforeseen adjustments to the pairings, and keep us on time! If your player wants to hit balls or practice putting and chipping, you can plan accordingly from there.

Can I bring food and drinks to the host facilities? I encourage spectators and players to support the host facilities that are opening their courses to our Tour. With that said, a simple snack and water bottle to keep the fires fueled is fine. Most facilities have a Halfway House or grill for spectators and players to grab something a little more substantial or re-stock on a light snack.

Can my player use a caddy? Our Junior Tour asks our players to be autonomous as they play their rounds, so no caddies are not allowed.

What is a spectator allowed to do? Stay 1 shot ahead of their player/pairing in the rough or on the cart path. Act as a spotter for all players in the group. Help find a golf ball (3 minutes search time). Be positive and cheer all our players on. Two good rules of thumb, “We never saw Tiger’s dad walking down the middle of the fairway with him.” and “Spectators should not act as coaches, caddies, referees, or rules officials.”

Rules Questions? Players should be familiar with the basic rules of golf and the Local Rules for each host facility. Players are allowed to use the USGA Rules app. Players should always talk with all their playing partners BEFORE making a ruling or taking a drop/relief. If a ruling or situation is still unclear, a) player can play 2 balls until contact is made with Tour staff or b) TEXT (585) 993-0513 for assistance. Spectators should not act as rules officials.

Emergency on the golf course? If there is ever an emergency with a player on the course and no parent/spectator is present, TEXT (585) 993-0513 or if apparently life threatening, call 911.

What to do at the end of a round? At the completion of a round, all players should shake hands, move off the green, review scores, and then proceed to the scoring area. Scores will be reviewed once again with Tour staff and then finalized. Once all players within a division have finished and scores have been finalized, the top 3 finishers will be announced and medals will be awarded. Ideally, we would like those top finishers to stay for photo ops.

Should I thank our host professionals? Absolutely! I encourage all of our players to take the time either before or after their round to go to the golf shop and say thank you! It goes a long way in helping to secure host facilities for future events. As a collective thank you, I will be asking random Tour players to write a quick thank you note to our host professionals and facilities. This great idea came from golf legend, Arnold Palmer. He and his wife, Winnie, believe in the power of the pen, a genuine thank you, and the positive impact it can make.