WJGA Teams

This wonderful international event began with matches between Mexico and the Southern California Junior Golf Association in 1959. In 1971, British Columbia participated for the first time. A meeting was held in Portland, Oregon in 1972 with the expansion of the Junior America’s Cup to include our western states plus Canada and Mexico. Those participating were: British Columbia, Idaho, Mexico (with two teams), Nevada, Northern California, Oregon, San Diego, Southern California, and Utah.

In 1973, the Junior Golf Association of Northern California hosted the first event under the new expanded format using five man teams. The juniors were housed by golfing families in the Pebble Beach area. What a great experience this was! They played Monterey Peninsula Country Club the first round and Spyglass Hill the second round. The final round was held at the world famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. The award ceremony was held on the lawn by the picturesque 18th green. San Diego captured the gold and two of their team members, Scott Simpson and Lenny Clements are still active on the PGA Tour today.

In 1974, Colorado became a part of the Junior America’s Cup Matches with Montana and Washington joining in 1976, followed by Alberta in 1977. This field remained the same until 1989 when Sun Country (New Mexico and part of Northern Texas) joined. In 1995 Mexico decided to bring one team instead of two.

The JAC today consists of 16 teams, with each junior golf association taking turns hosting this prestigious event. There are no individual honors in this tournament; it is strictly team competition. The pairing format is quite unique. The contestants play with a player from a different association for the first two days. The final day pairings are made according to the 36-hole team totals. There are no playoffs in case of ties; duplicate medals are presented to the tying teams.

Some very well known touring pros are former JAC participants. Just to name a few: Fred Couples, Rick Fehr, Craig Stadler, Scott Simpson, Bobby Clampett, Peter Jacobson, Billy Mayfair, Corey Pavin, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods.

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Girls Junior Americas Cup - GJAC

Since its inception 25 years ago, the GJAC team event has grown to be an extraordinary, nationally ranked event, fielded by 18 teams from across the US, Canada, and Mexico.  Founded by Joan Teats in 1978, this event works to bring girls together from various states and countries to cultivate new friendships and mutual respect.

When the event was first hosted by Tumwater GC in Washington, the field consisted of 11 teams.  As the event grew in size and prestige, the hosting honor was shared by the states and countries represented. Now, 18 teams represent a total of 12 states and 3 countries.  Each team consists of the top four girls who exemplify outstanding skill and experience, along with true sportsmanship, discipline, courtesy, and strength of character.

The GJAC's philosophy is to promote better understanding of our regional history and customs and allow us to learn about different cultures while demonstrating we are more alike than different.  The goal is to develop pride in self, team, state, and country, and over the years the GJAC has done just that. Further,  GJAC teams, consisting of promising young golfers who personify personal character and a love for the game are closely watched by college coaches scouting prospective golf scholarship recipients each year.  

This event is fielded by teams from Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, and Mexico, and from the states of Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  

We salute the Girls Junior America Cup team participants for the part they play in honoring and defining the great game of golf!!

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Hogan Cup

Eddie Hogan was the head professional at Riverside Golf and Country Club from 1939 until his tragic drowning death in 1968.  Eddie was a past Western Amateur Champion and a winner of many regional professional tournaments. Most of all, he was a great teacher and one of the pioneers in developing junior golf as a major club program. In honor of his memory, and his contributions to junior golf, the Eddie Hogan Cup Team matches were inaugurated in 1969. Riverside Golf and Country Club has been the gracious host every year.

These matches pit the best junior players from the Western United States and Canada against each other in a team format. The four man teams use their three lowest 18 hole scores each day to determine their team total. Medals are awarded to the top three teams as well as the top three individuals in the field. Competing in the Hogan Cup matches is an honor that has been bestowed to few individuals. Though the field is small, it is very select. For example, such tour players as Bobby Clampett, Fred Couples, Joe Rassett, Jack Renner, Lennie Clements, Scott Simpson, Rick Fehr, Robert Gamez, Bill Sanders, Kirk Triplett, Jim Nelford, John Fought, Bill Sander, Peter Jacobsen, and Tiger Woods have competed. That's pretty impressive company!!

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North Pacific Junior Ladies Team - NPJL

This event was patterned after the Curtis Cup Matches* for amateur women (which stimulates friendly rivalry for women golfers from the United States, Great Britain and Ireland).  In 1997, the NPJL matches were expanded to include Oregon and Alberta, making it a four association, six girls on each association team, competition.      

WJGA Foundation

Who has contributed?
The Foundation has received gifts from individual contributors, memorials, and even a remainder interest in a life insurance policy!

What could I contribute?
There are many ways one can contribute to an endowment fund such as the WJGF. In addition to current cash gifts, one might consider transferring stock. Often, the gift of stock to a nonprofit provides the donor with income tax benefits beyond what they might receive for a cash contribution. Memorial gifts are also frequently an option for supporters.

Planned giving is becoming a very attractive method of contributing to nonprofits. Planned giving is a term used to describe charitable bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, and other types of inter vivos and testamentary gifts.

How can I contribute?
If you are interested in a current cash gift, memorial or even transferring stock to the Foundation, call Karel Hull at (253) 631-7992 or mail your gift to:

Washington Junior Golf Foundation
c/o Karel Hull
13604 SE 251st St.
Kent, WA 98042-6631

If you are interested in planned giving, consult with your tax advisor and have that person contact Karel for more information.

A gift to the WJGF will help ensure that young people in the state of Washington can enjoy the game of golf for many years to come. Please consider the WJGF when preparing your annual gift giving budget. You’ll be glad you did!

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USGA Boys

The 2009 USGA Junior Amateur Championship was held at the Trump National GC in Bedminster, N.J. from July 20 -25.  

The only Washington representative was 2009 WJGA Player of the Year Zach Wanderscheid from Goldendale, WA.  Zach enjoyed the experience of playing in this national event even though he did not qualify for match play.

The 2010 event will be played at the Egypt Valley CC in Grand Rapids, Michigan from July 19-24.

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USGA Girls

In 2009 the USGA Girl’s Junior Amateur was played at the the Trump National GC in Bedminster, N.J. July 20-25. WJGA players who qualified to attend this event were Chelsea May Saelee and Lauren Sewell.  These two girls qualified at Manito G&CC.  Lauren and Chelsea did not qualify for match play, but the experience was great!

Seo Hee Moon qualified for the USGA in Ardmore Pennsylvania, and continued on to match play for the first round only.  

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Junior World Championships

The Junior World 2010 state qualifying tournament date will be held at Tumwater Valley GC on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

Thirty-six hole scores at this event determine which 15-17 year olds advance to play in the Junior World event held each year in San Diego. The entry deadline for the Junior World qualifier is Friday, June 11, 2010. Entry forms are included with your WJGA online registration forms. The dates for the Junior World in San Diego are July 13-16, 2010.

The Junior World tournament committee determines the number of spots for boys and girls who advance to San Diego. Girls eligible to go to San Diego must score within ten strokes of par in at least one of their two rounds at Tumwater Valley. Players who qualify at the state qualifier will be assisted with their expenses.

Players under 15 years of age do NOT have to qualify locally and MUST enter the Junior World Championships directly through the San Diego office. The entry deadline for players under 15 is usually around mid March, so please check the Junior World website at www.juniorworldgolf.com. Age, for Junior World purposes, is determined by the member’s age as of July 16, 2010. Entry forms for players under 15 should be available in early February.

WJGA 14 year olds MAY play at the Tumwater qualifier in order to earn points. At Tumwater, points will be awarded to both boys and girls who are competing in the 14-15 or 16-17 age divisions for the 2010 WJGA season.

ALL TIES IN THIS EVENT WILL BE BROKEN BY THE MATCHING OF SCORECARDS METHOD as described in the "about points" section on the WJGA website. THERE WILL BE NO PLAYOFFS. The entry fee is $25 and the entry fee must be received by the June 11th deadline. Each entrant to Tumwater must first qualify at his or her local sub-district event designated as the Jr. World Qualifier. The number of spots available for the statewide qualifier will be posted on the scoreboard before play begins.

The top 10 boys and the top 10 girls from the 2009 points standings who are age eligible for Junior World in 2010, are eligible for exemption from having to qualify at the sub district level for the junior world state qualifier at Tumwater.  Exemptions are NOT automatic and must be requested by the WJGA member.  Requests for exempt status must be submitted to your District Director by June 9, 2010.  All requests are forwarded by the District Directors to the WJGA Executive Director at the state office for final approval.

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2010 PGA Junior Championship

The Pacific Northwest Section PGA Junior Championship is going to be held on June 5 - 6, 2010.  Each of the 41 Sections hosts a Section Championship, which advances the top girl and boy qualifier to an all expense paid trip to the National Championship at Sycamore Hills Golf Club, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Championship is a 36-hole event, stroke play format.  There will be a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start on Saturday,  and an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start on Sunday.  The age divisions are 12 & under, 13-15 and 16-18.  18 year olds are allowed to participate if they have not reached their 19th birthday by the last day of the tournament or started college.
*Any junior who wishes to qualify for the Junior PGA Championship must play 36 holes from the same tees as the 16-18 year old age division.  If this is something that you are interested in trying, please state it on your entry.
For any other questions, please call Molly Cooper at the Pacific Northwest Section PGA office at 800-688-4653 or email at mcooper@pgahq.com
 

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Turf Grass Management

First Green

The First Green is an innovative environmental education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs. Golf course superintendents and/or local golf course representatives host students on field trips where they test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants, design plantings, assist in stream bed restoration and are involved in the ecology and environmental aspects of the golf course. The students are also introduced to many other aspects of golf.

In excess of 8,000 students in Washington State have participated in the program. A total of $110,000 in student scholarships and teacher grants has been provided since 2002. Teachers, students, parents, golf course members and golf course superintendents who are involved in the program all share a great sense of excitement in the use of Links As Labs.

First Green Foundation promotes and provides environmental education using golf courses as outdoor learning labs.  First Green certifications create a standard of environmental excellence for teachers, schools and the golf industry.

The foundation, with the support of United States Golf Association, Washington State Golf Association, and other associations and sponsors, has created educational materials as a toolkit to operate local programs connecting teachers and schools to golf course superintendents and golf memberships. The foundation certifies local programs and provides assistance to these local programs in their community environmental education and outreach.

First Green originated in Washington State in 1997 as First Green of Washington—an environmentally-based program for teachers of horticulture, agriculture, and science. National interest in the program sparked demand for guidelines to replicate local programs at golf courses across the country. First Green Foundation has been established to generate the materials and provide guidance and support. In addition, federally trademarked standards of environmental education excellence are insured through First Green’s certifications.

Since 2007, the foundation has been engaged in development of program materials and certification process. It has also worked with the First Green of Washington steering committee on operational processes for First Green of Washington.  For more info - www.thefirstgreen.org

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WIAA Policies

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College Corner
Congratulations!

The following WJGA alumni who will be joining college teams this fall:

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Players of the Year 

The player of the year award was created in 1999 and named in honor of Jack Baty, long time Fircrest GC member and supporter of youth golf.  This wonderful man spent countless hours helping juniors to hone their golfing skills and will be remembered with love by all who knew him.  WJGA honors Jack by naming this special award to members with the highest point totals at the end of the golfing season. 

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Mengert Inspiration Award

In 1977, Otto Mengert of Spokane CC donated a trophy in the name of his son Al Mengert, a professional golfer, to be awarded to the most inspirational junior golfer. Mengert was the U.S. Junior Champion in 1946-67, Washington State Amateur champion in 1949-50, and was a top ranked amateur in the U.S. in 1952. The inspiration award was given to WJGA members who best met the following criteria
*Positive attitude both winning and losing        *Good role model (for younger players) 
*Successful player                                          *Works hard to achieve goals
*Encourages others to do their best                 *Shows growth, maturity, and improvement

1977 Rick Fehr
1978 George Price
1979 John Bodenhamer
1980 Teresa Schreck
1981 Julie Ralls
1982 Trish McGonigle
1983 Don Christensen
1984 Jim Stickland
1985 Jim Geiser
1986 Scott Sullivan
1987 Audrey Wooding
1988 Craig Gronning
1989 Matt Bunn
1990 Spencer Leu
1991 Emily Martin
1992 John Moscrip
1993 Dusty Brett and Heather Graff

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Teats Award

Since 1994, this award has been presented to one member in each of our six districts. Once called the Mengert Inspirational Award, it was renamed to the Teats Award to honor the founder of WJGA, Joan Teats. The well deserving winners are chosen by their peers and are recognized at the State Championship:

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The Puetz Award

The Most Valuable Player Awards (2) for our America's Cup Teams were donated in 1982 by the Puetz family to honor George Puetz, long time friend of Junior Golf. They are presented to a boy and a girl at the end of the Junior America's Cup Matches.

Listed below are the winners of this fine award:

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