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The Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) Junior Program has announced a stop at Ridgewood Golf Course, for a MGA Junior Tournament. The tournament will be held on Sunday, July 24, beginning at 1 p.m. Ridgewood is one of the six Regional sites that will be used to advance players to the 51st MGA Junior Team Championship at Pokegama Golf Course on August 1-2.

In 1961 the MGA developed a junior program, and since that time, the program has grown dramatically with the support of MGA member clubs. More than 900 juniors now compete in the MGA junior tournaments annually around the state. MGA member clubs have been very supportive in this venture. In fact, approximately 150 golf courses around the state participate regularly in the junior program and many allow juniors within their neighborhoods or city to compete without any membership requirements. Each of the courses participating in the MGA junior program has a team representing it in district play. A district is composed of six to nine courses, and three districts make up a region. A different course hosts a district event each week, and district play lasts for three weeks. Teams can vary in size each week. The team totals

are taken from the three lowest out of four scores from the boys and two lowest out of four by the girls. Once district play has been completed, the top two girls' and boys' teams in each district, and the top two individuals not on the advancing teams advance to a regional tournament.

In regionals, juniors face teams from other districts. The top two teams and top two individuals in each region move on to the MGA Junior Team Championship. The Junior Team Championship is a two-day, 36-hole event with 120 participants, 60 boys and 60 girls. The Championship is held at some of the finest courses in the state.

The MGA Junior Program is invaluable. Not only is the MGA bringing golf to the junior ranks, it is ensuring the next generation can enjoy the game. By cultivating interest, these juniors will learn to enjoy and appreciate the game, and the opportunity to compete will enrich the juniors' lives. They can meet other golfers, play different golf courses, learn the Rules of Golf and course etiquette. It is very rewarding to be able to sponsor an event like this, and the MGA is proud to offer this program to juniors. The MGA praises its member golf courses, professionals and junior golf chairpersons who contribute their time and effort to the MGA junior program. Without their help and support, the MGA junior program could not exist.

Junior golfers, both boys and girls, are eligible to play through their 19th birthday.

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