Around the Green

Texas Junior Golf Alliance to Host First Annual Invitational

MONT BELVIEU – The growth of junior golf is a priority for golf associations across the country. Texas is no exception.

Back in 2012, the four most prominent junior golf tours in the state joined forces to create the Texas Junior Golf Alliance. The goal was to give junior golfers greater access to top-tier statewide competition while lessening the burden of travel expenses. The partnership between the TGA’s Legends Junior Tour, Northern Texas PGA, Southern Texas PGA and the Houston Golf Association has been a success.

Fast forward eight years, and the LJT is taking the Alliance to a new level. Earlier this year, the LJT announced a new event, the first annual Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational at Eagle Pointe Golf Club in Mont Belvieu from Oct. 26-27.

“The Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational was formed to highlight the growth of the Alliance Members and the champions that come out of the All-American and Prestige Tours as well as the Performance Series,” LJT Tour Tournament Director Kevin Porter said.

Home of the most competitive junior golf in the state, the LJT wanted to increase its Alliance partners’ opportunities for their tournament winners to earn spots in LJT’s elite championships. That’s how the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational field will be determined. Winners of select events from the NTPGA, STPGA and HGA’s junior tours receive invitations to the tournament. Additionally, players ranked high on the current LJT Player of the Year Points Lists will be invited.

“The Alliance provides a clear pathway for our local junior players on the Section’s Junior Tours to reach the Legends Junior Tour, which is the top of the playing pyramid in Texas,” NTPGA Executive Director Mark Harrison said.

Collectively each year the four organizations provide playing opportunities to more than 6,000 junior boys and girls in 500-plus tournaments. The NTPGA’s All-American Tour and STPGA’s Prestige Tour serve as qualifiers into Legends Junior Tour Invitationals.

“We are always looking for new ways to get juniors into elite competitions,” STPGA Executive Director Thomas Hutton said. “The Alliance has allowed all of us to work together, grow junior golf participation and create opportunities all over Texas.”

The first annual Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational will feature a field of 84 players. Three divisions compete separately: Boys 15-18, Girls 12-18 and Boys 14 & Under. It is the final championship of the season to count toward the 2019 LJT Player of the Year Points Standings. Shaheen Momin of Sugar Land leads the Boys 15-18 Division; while Lauren Nguyen of Katy leads the Girls 12-18 Division and Grant Yerger of Driftwood leads the Boys 14 & Under Division.

“I think it’s great for junior golf,” Eagle Pointe Golf Club General Manager Jeff Strong said. “It’s always good to give back to the game so we are excited to be a part of this event.”

The first round begins at 8 a.m. on Oct. 26. Final Round pairings will be redrawn according to first round scores and begin at 8 a.m. the next day.

For more information on the Texas Junior Golf Alliance Invitational, click here.