 |
Haga clic aquí para la versión en español Cliquez ici pour la version française |
 
  
|
|
Copyright © 2008 Optimist International All rights reserved. |
| Members Main |  |
| Administration |  |
| Clubs & Districts | |
| Forms & Publications | |
| Int'l Convention | |
| Mission/Vision | |
| Marketing | |
| Member Benefits | |
| Member Resources | |
| Supplies | |
| Contact Us | |
| District/Club Directory | |
| Recognition | |
| Int'l Development | |
| Leadership | |
| Membership | |
| New Club Building | |
| Programs/Activities | |
2008 Fact Sheet
For a printable version of the 2008 Fact Sheet (.PDF format), click here.
| Schedule of Events |
For a schedule of events, click here.
| About the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships |
Commonly referred to as THE OPTIMIST, the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and best-known junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year, more than 650 golfers participate in THE OPTIMIST. Former champions of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships include Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Bubba Dickerson, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales. And, several other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships such as Amy Alcott, John Daly, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa, Nick Price, David Toms and Tiger Woods.
| Divisions and Age Limits |
Boys & Girls 10-11: ages 10 & 11 as of July 28, 2008
Boys & Girls 12-13: ages 12 & 13 as of July 28, 2008
Boys & Girls 14-15: ages 14 & 15 as of July 28, 2008
Boys & Girls 16-18: ages 16, 17 & 18 as of August 3, 2008*
*Golfers must currently be enrolled in high school or be a 2008 high school graduate.
Golfers are permitted to “play up” one age division, but they must qualify in the higher division. Requests to play up 2 or 3 divisions require a special request. A golfer who intends to “play up” at the international championships must “play up” at all levels of qualifying. At large applicants and exempt golfers are permitted to apply to a higher division and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
| Player Eligibility and Age Verification |
To be eligible, golfers may not be enrolled in college. Golfers who qualify and register for the championships will be required to submit a copy of their birth certificate, baptismal record or passport.
| Tournament Format |
Ages 10-11, 12-13 & 14-15: Competition is a 54-hole stroke play tournament with rounds on July 26, 27 and 28. One official practice round on July 25 is included in the registration fee.
Ages 16-18: Competition is a 72-hole stroke play tournament. Preliminary rounds are on July 31, August 1 and 2. The top 50 boys and top 35 girls advance to the final round on August 3. Golfers who miss the cut may play in the Sunday consolation tournament. One official practice round on July 30 is included in the registration fee.
| Courses and Yardages |
Golfers will play on the courses at PGA National as follows. Yardages are approximate and course assignments are subject to change.
Boys 10-11……Haig course (5,645 yards)
Boys 12-13……Palmer course (6,000 yards)
Boys 14-15……Champion course (6,500 yards)
Boys 16-18*..….Champion & Palmer courses (6,800 yards)*Boys 16-18 will play 2 rounds on the Champion and 1 round on the Palmer. Final round will be on the Champion.
Girls 10-11…….Squire course (4,975 yards)
Girls 12-13…….Squire course (5,100 yards)
Girls 14-15…….Haig course (5,500 yards)
Girls 16-18…….Haig course (6,000 yards)
| Rankings |
The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is included in the Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek junior rankings (16-18 divisions only for Golfweek rankings).
| Exemptions Awarded |
Top finishers of the 2008 OPTIMIST will be exempt from having to qualify for the 2009 championships as follows: Boys & Girls 16-18 (top 10); Boys & Girls 14-15 (top 8); Boys & Girls 12-13 (top 6); Boys & Girls 10-11 (top 4).
The 2008 OPTIMIST is also included in the AJGA’s Performance Based Entry system. For 2008, the following AJGA exemptions will be awarded: Boys 16-18 - Champion (fully exempt), Top 5 (3 exemptions), Top 10 (2 exemption), Top 15 (1 exemption); Girls 16-18 - Champion (fully exempt), Top 3 (3 exemptions), Top 5 (2 exemptions), Top 10 (1 exemption); Boys & Girls 14-15 - Top 10 (AJGA Junior All-Star exempt); Boys & Girls12-13 - Top 5 (AJGA Junior All-Star exempt). For more information, go to www.ajga.org.
And, the champions of the Boys & Girls 16-18 divisions will be considered for the 2008 Jr. Orange Bowl International Championship.
| Rules and Regulations |
The championships will be played in accordance with all USGA and local course rules. Local rules will be covered at player orientation. All participants are responsible for following the Optimist Golf Code of Conduct, which is available at www.optimist.org/golf and will be sent to all accepted golfers. A spectator code of conduct will also be in effect for all non-participants.
| Carts, Pull Carts and Caddies |
Electric carts and caddies are prohibited in all age divisions for all tournament rounds. Pull carts are prohibited for the 12-13, 14-15 and 16-18 divisions for all tournament rounds.
NEW IN 2008 – Players in the 10-11 age divisions only may use pull carts during the championships. However, golfers who choose to use a pull cart at the championships MUST use a pull cart provided by Optimist International. Optimist International will rent pull carts for $20 US for the days of the championships. To view the pull cart that will be provided and more information, click here. Golfers in the 10-11 age divisions only will be given the opportunity to reserve a pull cart during the registration process. Golfers may not use their own pull cart, no exceptions.
Due to the size and scope of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, electric carts are strictly prohibited for spectators during tournament rounds. No exceptions.
| How to Qualify |
In order to play in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, golfers must meet one of the following qualifying methods:
(1) District Qualifying Tournaments: Optimist Districts in the US and Canada conduct official qualifying tournaments. These qualifying tournaments are organized by Optimist volunteers and Clubs in the District and are overseen by a District Chairperson. A limited number of golfers in each division offered qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. To view a list of qualifying tournaments and more details, click here. Contact the District Chairperson listed for qualifying tournament details, application information and questions.
(2) Exemptions: Optimist International offers several exemptions into the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. For a complete list of exemptions, click here.
(3) US/Canada At Large Application: Golfers in the boys & girls 10-11 and 12-13 division only who live in an Optimist District that does not offer a qualifying tournament or does not offer their division may submit an application directly to Optimist International. All golfers who live in an Optimist District MUST play in his/her District's qualifier if his/her age division is offered and will not be permitted to submit an At Large application. This method is not an option for golfers in the boys & girls 14-15 and 16-18 divisions. For more information and to download an application, click here.
(4) International Golfers: There are international qualifiers in several different nations. Golfers who live and attend school in these nations must play in their nation’s qualifier. Golfers who reside and attend school outside of the US/Canada and who live in nations that do not offer official international qualifying tournaments may apply directly to Optimist International. For a list of international qualifiers and to download an application, click here.
| Financial Assistance |
Each participating District will sponsor the first place boy and girl winner in the 16-18 age division from their own District to the championships. Sponsorship includes payment of the all-inclusive registration fee. If funds allow, Districts may pay for travel, lunches and incidental costs and may sponsor winners of other divisions. If a junior golfer qualifies outside of his/her home District, we cannot guarantee the golfer's registration fees will be paid should they win the event. Restrictions apply. Check with you District Chairperson for details.
| Championship Awards |
For the international championships, trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each division. In case of ties, there will be a sudden-death playoff for 1st place only. 2nd and 3rd place ties will be determined by a scorecard playoff. Trophies will also be awarded for the lowest score on the last day of play. Special prizes will also be awarded for the Sunday tournament for ages 16-18.
| Accommodations and Registration |
PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA is the host golf and hotel facility of the championships. All tournament and hotel registrations are handled by Optimist International. Please DO NOT call PGA National directly to book reservations.
Registration fees are all-inclusive. All fees include the tournament entry fee for the golfer, 5 nights lodging for the golfer and all guests, 5 breakfasts and 4 dinners for the golfer and guests, and access to all Optimist functions and special events for the golfer and all guests. Due to the exclusive nature of the event, golfers are required to stay at PGA National and pay the inclusive registration fee. Guests are not required to stay at PGA National, but are encouraged to do so. Optimist staff & volunteers and paid security will be on site for the duration of the event to serve as chaperones. A parent or guardian must accompany players in the 10-11 division.
Golfer Only Option
Housed with roommate(s) at PGA National
Golfer Only - $640 US
Family One-Room Options
Housed in appropriately sized room in main resort*
Golfer & 1 Guest - $1,090 US
Golfer & 2 Guests - $1,320 US
Golfer & 3 Guests - $1,550 USFamily Two-Room Options
Housed in 2 appropriately sized rooms in main resort or one club-cottage*
Golfer & 3 Guests - $2,000 US
Golfer & 4 Guests - $2,230 US
Golfer & 5 Guests - $2,460 US
Golfer & 6 Guests - $2,690 US
Golfer & 7 Guests - $2,920 US*Each family is limited to a maximum of two hotel rooms or one club cottage. Optimist Junior Golf reserves the right to house players and their guests at an offsite property should a need arise. Rollaway beds are utilized as necessary. All District winners receive a $50 discount from the listed prices.
| Early Arrival and Late Departure |
Rooms may be available for early arrival and late departure. Cost is $99 (standard room) or $198 (club cottage) per night. Contact Optimist International for details and reservations. Availability is limited.
| Meals |
All registered golfers and guests will receive a meal badge valid for 5 breakfasts and 4 dinners. These meals will be served daily, buffet-style in the Grand Ballroom at PGA National. Lunch is NOT included in the registration fee. Participants and guests may purchase lunch vouchers during the registration process or may pay cash for lunch. There are also several restaurants located on site at PGA National.
| Commuters |
Due to the inclusive nature of the event, Optimist Junior Golf offers commuter status only to players who reside and attend school in the Florida counties of Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin and Broward. The registration fee is $285 US (includes practice round, tournament rounds and access to all Optimist functions and special events).
| Optimist International Tournament of Champions |
All winners and runners-up of the 14-15 and 16-18 divisions of official qualifying tournaments will be invited to apply for the annual Optimist International Tournament of Champions (November 2008 at PGA National). Top finishers of the 2008 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will also be eligible to apply.
| Questions or Inquiries |
All questions should be directed to the Optimist Junior Golf office. Please e-mail golf@optimist.org or call (314) 371-6000 or toll free (800) 500-8130. Or, visit www.optimist.org/golf for details.