Around the Green

LJT Winter Classic Set for Jan. 22-23

DALLAS – The Winter Classic will be the first event of the Legends Junior Tour season for the ninth consecutive year. Since the start of the event in 2010, the field has proved to be one of the top-ranked events on the calendar for the LJT.

“The LJT is excited to start 2022 with the Winter Classic,” LJT Tournament Director Andrea Daly said. “We look forward to bringing our players to a wonderful venue in Dallas Athletic Club for what will surely be another fun and competitive LJT championship.”

DAC’s Blue Course will play host for the 13th consecutive year. It was originally designed in 1954 by Ralph Plummer. Jack Nicklaus, who won the 1963 PGA Championship held at DAC, remodeled the course thirty years later to its current layout. The historic 18-hole championship venue has hosted many elite events including the 110th Texas Amateur in 2019, as well as a U.S. Open Final Qualifying in 2021. The par-72 layout stretches to 6,922 yards.

The 84-player field is divided into three divisions: Boys 15-18, Girls 12-18 and Boys 14 & Under. Players eligible for the tournament have an active membership with the Texas Junior Golf Alliance and have earned their way into the field by way of the LJT Priority Entry Status.

This year’s Winter Classic boasts another strong cast of competitors across all three divisions including previous champions and LJT Players of the Year.

“The Winter Classic typically showcases a strong field because players are eager to get back on the course after the holiday break,” Daly said. “This year’s field is fantastic and should be great way to kick off the 2022 season.”

Last year, Davis Ovard of Frisco edged out a slew of competitors by one stroke to win the Boys 15-18 title. Maggie Ni of Cypress captured the Girls 12-18 Division in style by fending off Jiyu Han of Cedar Park and Caroline Dasch of Austin in a playoff, while Austin Hofferkamp of The Woodlands clinched the Boys 14 & Under Division by six strokes.

The Winter Classic is the first of 10 open LJT events. The open events are available to any member of the Texas Junior Golf Alliance, which is made up of the TGA, NTPGA, STPGA and HGA. Players earn entry into the open events through their play on the LJT and in Texas Junior Golf Alliance events.

Tee times begin Saturday, Jan. 22, at 8 a.m. The final round takes place on Sunday, Jan. 23. For more information on the Winter Classic or the LJT, click here.