The Making of a Premier Junior Tour
In the early 1990’s two groups, one in Jacksonville and the other in St. John’s County started junior golf group play, primarily to give high school age golfers some summer competition. Only about 30 players were involved at the time. In 1994, the two groups got together and formed the North Florida Junior Golf Foundation. The North Florida section of the PGA l
ocal professionals took over the direction of the program. Titleist became the title sponsor and the Tour was renamed the “Titleist Junior Golf Foundation of North Florida”. There were approximately 80 players and they competed in divisions by age groups. By 1997, the Tour had expanded to more than 200 participants and players were divided into two flights based upon their level of skill determined by a 36-hole qualifying tournament. The program expanded in 1998 to include more benefits for the players including a newsletter, a player’s directory and the addition of the winter tour. By then participation had reached 230 players not only representing all parts of the Jacksonville metropolitan area, but including some who were as far as a 2 hour drive from tournament sites. The Tour was renamed the PGA TOUR Junior Golf Foundation in appreciation of the involvement of the PGA TOUR both in terms of financial commitment and the donation of facilities and operational support. In 1999, with 250 players, a third division was added – the Foundation Tour featuring special summer-long training programs for beginner golfers. In the year 2000 a dedicated website was added to enable players to access their tee times, points, directions to sites, and other pertinent information. From its humble beginnings the Tour has grown in size and scope, that today it is considered one of the finest junior golf programs in Florida. Perhaps the most significant and satisfying accomplishment is the Tour’s Scholarship program which started in 1999 and has awarded monies to qualifying players and NFJG Foundation Members for the past 15 years. In 2008, the Tour again became North Florida Junior Golf Foundation and has a new logo, and a new look, but strives to maintain the quality of junior golf competition in North Florida as well as to grow the Scholarship program. FOUNDATION PARTNERS: In 2013, the Foundation reorganized with new focuses and established the Foundation Partnerships Program. Currently the NFJGF has Six Foundation Partners. They are the Web.com; Capital Inventory Inc.; the Northern Chapter, North Florida PGA, Florida-Georgia Windows and Doors, Fred Hackney and Associates and Action News Jax. Taking the NFJGF to the next level is our goal. Raising needed funds through programs like the 100-Hole Marathon and the Chip in for Youth Program sponsored by the PGATOUR helps us achieve those goals. There are still programs to grow, room to move existing programs to the next level and plenty of juniors to reach out to, to join us in playing this great game of golf. Special Programs: NFJG Foundation currently has two special programs, they are the “Middle School Golf Program and the Summer Camp “Tee It Up” Program. Each Program is sponsored through are funds raisers in efforts to grow the game for our kids. The North Florida Junior Golf Foundation NFJG TOUR has four competitive tournament groups of different age categories for boys and girls. They are:
The “Foundation TOUR”, is our nine-hole tour with kids ranging from ages 6-13 playing from yardage of 2300-2700. Players must average under 65 for nine holes. The “Rising TOUR”, an 18 hole competitive group ranging from ages 10-14 players must have an average score of 85-100 and be able to play from yardages from 4600-6300 based on age and gender. The “Elite TOUR”, an 18 hole competitive group ranging from ages 10-18 with average scores of 84 and under. Playing from yardage of 5500-7000 based on gender and age. The “Web.com Junior Players TOUR”, our two or more day events where ALL TOURS are invited to compete against each other as one group based on gender and age regardless of skill level. The NFJG TOUR starts the season during the first week of October and runs through the end of July. More than thirty events are held per season broken down into three series, the Fall, Spring and Summer Series, each consisting of ten or more one and two day events. More than 35 outstanding private, public and resort clubs throughout the North Florida area support and sponsor the NFJG TOUR and our players, making it the PREMIER TOUR that it is. Other sponsors include: Footjoy, Titleist and B & C Financial. For additional information go to www.NFJG.org or call Executive Director Jack Aschenbach (PGA) at (904) 868-9535. Thank you for your support of the
North Florida Junior Golf Foundation
