Around the Green

White Bluff Resort Set to Host 97th Texas Junior Amateur

The state’s oldest and most prestigious junior championship returns to the North Texas region this summer for the first time in over 20 years. The 97th edition of the Texas Junior Amateur will be held at White Bluff Resort from July 24-26. It is also the first time the club will be hosting the championship.

“We could not be more excited to bring the Texas Junior Amateur to White Bluff Resort,” said Scott Davidson, Tournament Director for the Legends Junior Tour. “White Bluff is a spectacular setting for golf, and we look forward to working together with the members and staff to provide a truly memorable experience for the players.”

Situated along the shores of Lake Whitney, about 15 miles west of Hillsboro, White Bluff Resort spans 3,450 acres and features two 18-hole courses – the Old and the New – both of which were designed by 13-time PGA Tour winner Bruce Lietzke. Named after the two most famous courses at St Andrews Links in Scotland, the Old Course was the first to open in 1992, followed by the New Course in 1998. Both courses recently underwent major renovation projects, which included rebuilding and resurfacing all greens and bunkers, as well as upgrading drainage and irrigation systems.

The 36 holes at White Bluff blend perfectly together and with the natural setting while offering distinct playing experiences. Measuring just over 6,000 yards from the forward set of tees, the Old Course features generous landing areas, a collection of shrewdly placed bunkers and water hazards, and large undulating green complexes. The New Course, which can play almost 1,000 yards longer, is considered the more demanding of the two and is renowned for its narrow fairways, significant elevation changes, numerous penalty areas, and demanding approach shots.

The 97th Texas Junior Amateur, which will utilize both courses, will have a 240-player starting field comprised of four age divisions: Boys 15-18 (120 players), Girls 15-18 (60), Boys 14 & Under (45), and Girls 14 & Under (15).

The Boys 15-18 Division will be contested on the New Course, while the Girls 15-18 Division will play the Old Course. The format for both divisions is 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut following the second round. The Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions will each play 36 holes of stroke play on the Old Course.

“Both the Old and New Courses at White Bluff are very traditional in their design and to score well players will need to have a solid course management game plan,” Davidson said. “The courses are true tests of a player’s complete skill set and will make for an exciting championship.”

The 2022 Texas Junior Amateur was played on the Apple Rock and Ram Rock Courses at Horseshoe Bay Resort. Jaivir Pande of Houston won the Boys 15-18 Division with rounds of 70-68-76 on the Ram Rock Course. His 1-over-par 214 total was good for a one-shot margin of victory over Luke Colton of Frisco, who fired a 4-under 68 in the final round to vault into the runner-up position. In the Girls 15-18 Division, Kate Pickrell of Austin finished at 3-under 213 on the Apple Rock Course to win the title by one stroke over Grace Jin of Huntsville.

Jack Clancy of Dallas won the Boys 14 & Under Division in a playoff over Luciano Follmer of Austin. Both players were tied at 2-under 142 after 36 holes of regulation play at Apple Rock. Yixen (Emily) Zhang of Katy posted a 4-under 140 total at Apple Rock to win the Girls 14 & Under Division by five shots over Kaylee Yuan of Joshua.

First played in 1927, the Texas Junior Amateur is one of the four majors on the Legends Junior Tour’s annual schedule along with the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior, Texas Cup Invitational, and Texas Girls’ Invitational. Notable past Texas Junior Amateur champions include Ben Crenshaw, Bruce Lietzke, Jordan Spieth, Jeff Maggert, Scott Verplank, Omar Uresti, and Angela Stanford.

To learn more about the 97th Texas Junior Amateur, click here.