Junior Golf Tournament Information:  Hey everyone, we wanted to make sure everyone that has the information they need to get their junior golfer involved in area junior golf events. There are two main organizations that sponsor local tours for Junior Golfers.

1. U.S. Kids Golf

2. Southern Texas PGA (STPGA)

U.S. Kids Golf U.S.:  Kids Golf tournaments are generally held on Sundays. The format is either 9-holes or 18-holes depending on age. Caddies are permitted. As a condition of entry into a U.S. Kids Golf Local Tour, it is recommended that a player has previously shot a 63 or lower on 9 holes from USKG's recommended distances (see Age Groups and Yardages to determine which tees are assigned to each age and gender group)

To play in a tournament, you must first register for a Tour. There is a $50 tour registration fee associated with each local tour. The cost to register for each event is approximately $40 for 9-hole players and $50 for 18-hole players. The price will vary slightly depending on the location and time of year. Players may receive a $25 multi-tour rebate for participating in multiple tours in the same year.

Registration is generally open until the Tuesday night prior to the event date. You must register separately for each event. The Summer 2012 Tour kicked off at Grey Rock on May 6, 2012.

Players earn points based on how they place and can earn invitations to Regional Qualifiers, Prestige Tournaments, and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship played at Pinehurst Resort in August.

To view upcoming tours go to the www.uskids.golf follow the links to “Local Tours”: http://www.uskidsgolf.com/eng/localTours/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/tournaments/tournamentTours.cfm&type=LC For more information about U.S. Kids Golf in Austin, please contact Austin Spring Local Tour 2012 Orlando Castanon, the Austin tour director, at ra1749@yahoo.com

STPGA: The STPGA (Southern Texas PGA) offers a great entry point to tournament play for junior golfers. There are three levels of tours:

? Little Linksters, for beginner players ages 5-12

o 5 hole modified tee division

o 9 hole modified tee division

o 9 hole red tee division

? Junior Links Tour for older beginners ages 13-15

? Junior Tour for experienced players ages 10-18

Caddies are only permitted for certain ages (up to 10 years old), and must pass a Caddy exam. In the Austin area, STPGA is primarily for summer golf, and events are held during the week, although they had a few events in the fall and spring held on weekends. Players signed up for the STPGA can participate in events in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and surrounding areas.

Kids that are new to the STPGA Little Linksters Tour must pass an approved junior Clinic. Any of River Place’s junior camps are approved Little Linksters Clinics.

For more information on signing up, and a schedule of upcoming events, go to http://www.stpgajuniorgolf.com/ .