LOCAL EVENTS IN HOUSTON/SURROUNDING AREA

STPGA LITTLE LINKSTERS  (ages 7-12 )The Southern Texas PGA Little Linksters program is for junior golfers ages 7 - 12 and of any skill level.  Little Linksters is an instructional based program targeting the Rules of Golf, golf etiquette, the basic fundamentals of putting, chipping, the full swing and on-course play.  Little Linksters are also given the opportunity to play in professionally organized tournaments. You must also register online for STPGA Little Linksters membership and entry! This program is intended for those interested in tournament golf.  I offer the three instructional clinics that provide the 12 hours of required information, instruction and qualification to attend the LL tournaments held in summer 2006.

USKIDS GOLF LOCAL TOUR (AGES  4-12 yrs)  I am not sure about this tour (although a couple of my kids have played it), but I know they do have a national tourney the kids could sign up for. Definitely worth a try.

STPGA JUNIOR TOUR (ages 12-18) will conduct over 65 tournaments this summer throughout our geographic area which includes Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. Summer tournaments each week (Monday/Tuesday). Good value for the money.  From some of my parents....less crowded than HGA Junior Tour.  Good for novice tournament players.

HGA JUNIOR TOUR (ages 13-18) I played this since I was 13 years old (I’m 31 now)...very established...always crowded...very competitive on the boys level...so if choosing between STPGA/HGA go with STPGA Junior tour if you are just starting tournaments.  Long hour events....but you find this at a lot of local/state events unless truly organized...meaning A TON OF VOLUNTEERS!

STATE EVENTS

SOUTH TEXAS JUNIOR CLASSIC (? /8 yrs-18 yrs) June 3-4, 2006 - Harlingen Texas, 2 rounds on the weekend. Nice course, well run tournament. Website with new info in process - contact Lee Wiley @ lwiley8662@aol.com or call Lee Wiley at 956.425.1818 during the day or 956.399.7000 in the evening, or by contacting the Harlingen Country Club golf shop at 956.412.4113.

A fun event I played a couple of years....in South Texas....VERY WINDY...but again great experience.

TRANS-AMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS (Ages 6-18 years) June 5th-8th, 2006  - Jimmy Clay Golf Club - Austin, TX.  Phone: 512-440-8011 I played in this event two years in high school; fun course…very playable and easier to shoot lower scores for all.  I love this course. Junior Golf Scoreboard Ranked Tournament open to all Junior Golfers from 8 & under to graduating seniors who have not reached their 19th birthday by 6/8/06.  54 holes, stroke play with no cuts. Registration and practice round on June 5th. Tournament competitions days are June 6-8. First round is also a qualifier for the Junior World Golf Championship.

NATIONAL/STATE EVENTS

STARBURST JUNIOR GOLF CLASSIC (ages 7-18) June 12^th -14^th, 2006. 3 rounds in Waco Texas. A fun tournament, caddies allowed (and caddies can ride). Quickly becoming one of the biggest tournaments in the nation. Registration starts in early January and fills up fast!

TEXAS OKLAHOMA JUNIOR  (ages 6-18) June 19^th -22^nd.  Wichita Falls, TX. Nationally ranked. Not all courses are great, but

I played this event from ages 14-18.  I loved going to this tournament every year.  Great experience; fun, laid back event for all kids; some long hours on events because many kids attend this event.  I am planning on going to this event with some of my students and 12 year old stepdaughter. We will have fun!  Possibly a BlackHorse Junior Reunion!

OTHER USEFUL LINKS - ORGANIZATIONS/TOURNAMENTS

The LPGA*USGA Girls Golf was formed to create a network for girls to learn to play golf, make friends and sample competition in a positive and supportive learning environment.  Girls Golf of Houston began in 2000 and now holds over a dozen events a year in Greater Houston. Membership is $30.00 for 2006.  Members must be 7-17 years of age.  Golf clubs and/or golfing experience are not required...just tennis shoes and a good attitude!  For more information, please contact Dianne Overstreet at 281-454-7000 or email her at doverstreet@hga.org.

Texas Legends Junior Tour In 2005, the state's three golf associations - the Texas Golf Association (TGA), the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA) and the Southern Texas PGA (STPGA), joined forces together to create the leading year-round tour for serious junior golfers: The Texas Legends Junior Tour. The Texas Legends Junior Tour will be home to such prestigious events as the EDS Byron Nelson Junior Championship and the 77 year old Texas State Junior Championships. 

The First Tee of Houston/Redstone is dedicated to impacting the lives of young people in the Greater Houston area by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character-development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf.