PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- The 2008 PGA Junior Series will celebrate its 13th consecutive season of providing affordable and competitive golf for juniors ages 13-18, featuring five new sites in an 11-state coast-to-coast schedule. The on-line entry application will be posted on www.pgajuniorseries.com and www.PGA.com/juniors beginning March 3, 2008.
The 13th PGA Junior Series opens at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Ky., May 27-29, and concludes Aug. 4-5, at Oakland University Golf and Learning Center in Rochester, Mich.
Next summer's schedule features 11 events, including eight 54-hole (three-day) and three 36-hole (two-day) competitions, as well as the 72-hole flagship event, the 33rd Junior PGA Championship, August 13-16 at The Tournament Players Club River's Bend in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The five new venues on the PGA Junior Series schedule include: KickingBird Golf Club in Edmond, Okla.; Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek, N.C.; Kahili Golf Course in Maui, Hawaii; Aspen Valley Golf Club in Flagstaff, Ariz.; and The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass.
Also planned for next summer's schedule are PGM/career awareness promotional sites in Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
Nationally recognized by both the GolfWeek Sagarin Points System and Junior Golf Scoreboard, the PGA Junior Series debuted in the summer, 1996, and has attracted boys and girls representing 50 states, the District of Columbia, 22 countries/territories and six continents, including players from Bermuda, Guam, The Mariana and Marshall Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each Series event will feature a field of approximately 156 players. Juniors may enter as often as they wish.
Competitors are reminded that the event fields are based on playing ability and not a first-come, first-serve basis. Registrants should include their playing history when applying on-line.
Each event will consist of boys' and girls' divisions, with approximately one-half of the field consisting of competitors residing within the host PGA Section of the competition. The 16-18 division boys' winner and the overall girls' winner of all events will receive an exemption to play in the 33rd Junior PGA Championship.
For further information about the PGA Junior Series or PGA Junior Golf, visit www.pgajuniorseries.com or www.PGA.com/juniors. You can also call The PGA of America Headquarters at (561) 624-8400.
Here is the complete 2008 summer schedule:
| Dates | Venue | City |
| May 27-29, 2008 | Kearney Hill Golf Links | Lexington, Ky. |
| June 3-5, 2008 | KickingBird Golf Club | Edmond, Okla. |
| June 11-13, 2008 | Keith Hills Country Club | Buies Creek, N.C. |
| June 16-17, 2008 | New Mexico State University | Las Cruces, N.M. |
| June 22-24, 2008 | Kahili Golf Course | Maui, Hawaii |
| June 30-July 2, 2008 | Aspen Valley Golf Club | Flagstaff, Ariz. |
| July 7-9, 2008 | The Ranch Golf Club | Southwick, Mass. |
| July 16-18, 2008 | Penn State University | State College, Pa. |
| July 21-23, 2008 | Westbrook Country Club | Mansfield, Ohio |
| July 28-29, 2008 | Elmcrest Country Club | Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| Aug. 4-5, 2008 | Oakland University Golf Club | Rochester, Mich. |
| Aug. 13-16, 2008 | 33rd Junior PGA Championship (TPC River's Bend) | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Sept. 15-16, 2008 | Junior Ryder Cup (The Club at Olde Stone) | Bowling Green, Ky. |
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The 2008 PGA Junior Series - At-A-Glance:
May 27 - 29, 2008
Kearney Hill Golf Links
Lexington, Ky.
54 holes/3 days
Kearney Hill Golf Links was designed by both Pete and P.B. Dye and opened in 1998. The Scottish Links layout is typically complete with an ever-present breeze to test the best players. The course features Pennlinks bent grass greens and Penncross bent grass fairways. Kearney Hill hosted the USGA Women's Public Links National Championship in June 2007, and was host to the 2001, 2002, 2005-07 PGA Junior Series; eight Champions Tour events; the USGA Public Links National Championship; Kentucky Boys, Girls and Men's Amateur and Open Championships; and the Celebrity Players Tour. Director Kim Kincer and Intern Coordinator Eddy Renio will be on-site promoting Eastern Kentucky University's new PGA Professional Golf Management program, which is taught just down the road in Richmond, Ky.
June 3-5, 2008
KickingBird Golf Club
Edmond, Okla.
54 holes/3 days
Built in 1971, KickingBird Golf Club is Edmond's most renowned golf course. The golf course was designed by Floyd Farley. The 6722 yard, Par 70 layout was redesigned by PGA Tour Professional Mark Hayes and features wide tree-lined fairways and gently contoured greens, twenty bunkers and a few water hazards and creeks. KickingBird was Edmond's first course, and is one of Oklahoma's premier public courses. KickingBird Golf Club has hosted many prestigious tournaments including the Oklahoma Open from 1979 -- 1985 and the 1988 Oklahoma State Amateur. PGA Head Professional Brian Sorrensen is the South Central PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year. Director Bob Phelps and Internship Coordinator Wes Wilkinson will be on-site promoting University of Central Oklahoma's new PGA/PGM program in Edmond.
June 11-13, 2008
Keith Hills Country Club
Buies Creek, N.C.
54 holes/3 days
Keith Hills Country Club has been rated as high as the No. 7 best public golf course in North Carolina by Carolina Magazine. This Ellis Maples designed championship golf course offers a complete and exciting challenge to the golfing enthusiast. The par 72-6703 yard layout winds through a golfing community set on the Cape Fear River, which makes Keith Hills one of the most picturesque settings in North Carolina. Voted as one of the top 100 values in the country and as a Four-Star Award Winner by Golf Digest, Keith Hills has gained national recognition. Home to Campbell University's Professional Golf Management Program and golf teams, Keith Hills plays host to two collegiate golf tournaments throughout the year. Director Ken Jones, Internship Coordinator Ryan Dailey and Director of Instruction David Orr will be on-site promoting Campbell University's PGA/PGM program in Buies Creek. Please visit http://web.campbell.edu/keithhills for more information.
June 16-17, 2008
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, N.M.
36 holes/2 days
New Mexico State University Golf Club is an interesting desert course with a brand new clubhouse where all eighteen holes are visible. The club has played host to both the NCAA Men's and Women's National Championships. Golf Digest has rated it as one of the best Public Courses in the State and also one of America's Top Affordable Courses. New Mexico State University began a Professional Golf Management program in the fall of 1988. Rich Beem, the 2002 PGA Champion, played his college golf here. His father, Larry, is the women's Coach and Dan Koesters, PGA Director of Golf at NMSU, is the Vice President of the Sun Country PGA Section. Director Pat Gavin and Assistant Director Jason White will be on-site promoting NMSU's PGA/PGM program. Please visit www.nmsugolf.com/golf for more information.
June 22-24, 2008
Kahili Golf Course
Wailuku, Hawaii
54 holes/3 days
Kahili Golf Course is a 6570 yard, Par 72 layout and was constructed in 1991. It was designed by Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright. Uniquely positioned on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains, this world-class layout affords stunning views of majestic Haleakala and the sapphire Pacific Ocean. Carved out of the foothills of the scenic West Maui Mountains, the design of Kahili Golf Course takes advantage of the local terrain and Hawaiian Tradewinds to create a unique golf experience. A popular choice of both visiting and local golfers, Kahili Golf Course plays host to numerous Maui and state-wide tournaments throughout the year. Please visit www.kahiligolf.com for more information.
June 30-July 2
Aspen Valley Golf Club
Flagstaff, Ariz.
54 holes/3 days
Aspen Valley Golf Club, located just an hour away from the historic Grand Canyon, is nestled in the pines of Flagstaff, Arizona, with panoramic views of the San Francisco Peaks. This picturesque setting is a perfect complement to your golf game. Temperatures in Flagstaff average a cool 20 degrees cooler than the valley all summer. Aspen Valley is a traditional 18-hole championship golf course designed with ponds, lakes, and spectacular mountain views. The 6,800-yard layout, carved in the hills and pines, will challenge golfers of all levels. Internship Coordinator Geoff Huston from Arizona State University and Director Chris Cain or Intern Coordinator Chris Brown from Univ. of Nevada-Las Vegas will be on-site promoting both PGA/PGM programs in the Southwest PGA Section. Please visit www.aspenvalleygolf.com for more information.
July 7-9, 2008
The Ranch Golf Club
Southwick, Mass.
54 holes/3 days
The Ranch Golf Club was created on a wonderful historic piece of land. It's a mixture of open meadows and woodland, interspersed with beautiful creeks, and a dash of wetlands tossed in to make each hole exciting and memorable. The Ranch Golf Club is ranked among the best in the nation by Golf Digest and the ZAGAT Guide to Golf. The Club is currently ranked #18 in Golf Digest's 2007-2008 "Best In State" and the only public course on the list for Massachusetts. The Ranch Golf Club was also named in 2007 "Best Public Golf Course" in Massachusetts by Golf Digest. Hope Kelley is the PGA Head Professional at the Club. Please visit: www.theranchgolfclub.com for more information.
July 16-18
Penn State University
State College, Pa.
54 holes/3 days
Penn State University Golf Courses are home to the Nittany Lions' men's and women's golf teams. The Blue Course features bent grass throughout the layout, and has been a very popular port of call the past nine years for the PGA Junior Series. The Blue Course was host to the Big Ten Conference Men's and Women's Championships and the annual PIAA High School Championships. Penn State University also won a rare fourth consecutive listing among the top 100 golf shops in the country, and its Professional Golf Management curriculum is accredited by The PGA of America. The Blue Course has earned a four-star rating from Golf Digest's "Places to Play." Director Burch Wilkes and Internship Coordinators Eric Handley or Stevie Lovell will be on-site promoting Penn State's PGA/PGM program in State College. Please visit www.psu.edu/golfcourses for more information.
July 21-23, 2008
Westbrook Country Club
Mansfield, Ohio
54 holes/3 days
Westbrook Country Club, which has hosted two previous PGA Junior Series events, was designed by renowned architect Donald Ross in 1922. The mature, traditional layout features beautifully maintained bent grass greens and fairways, which leaves you with quite a memorable playing experience. Westbrook Country Club annually hosts the Northern Ohio PGA Professional-Assistant Championship and is well received by PGA Professionals in Ohio. From the main level of the clubhouse, you will witness breathtaking panoramic views. Please visit www.westbrookcc.org for more information.
July 28-29, 2008
Elmcrest Country Club
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
36 holes/2 days
A traditional Midwestern layout and the home course for 2007 Masters Champions Zach Johnson, Elmcrest Country Club was designed by Nick Carter and opened in 1947. Elmcrest is renowned for its pristine condition, featuring well-defined fairways and bent grass throughout the layout. The greens are commonly known as some of the best in the state. Elmcrest has hosted the Iowa PGA Championship, State Women's Amateur Championship, Mid-Amateur Championship, Iowa Cup Matches and six PGA Junior Series events. Elmcrest PGA Head Professional, Larry Gladson is a past president of the Iowa PGA Section. Please visit www.elmcrestcountryclub.com/ecc/ for more information.
Aug. 4-5
Oakland University
Rochester, Mich.
36 holes/2 days
Oakland University sits just 10 miles from Oakland Hills Country Club in neighboring Bloomfield Hills, site of the 2004 Ryder Cup and 90th PGA Championship, Aug. 4-10, 2008 . The Katke-Cousins Course was built in 1976. The par-72 layout includes points of interest on the Meadowbrook Hall grounds and is enhanced by the course's natural beauty and abundant wildlife lingering in the wooded rough and bubbling streams. Bill Rogers, is the PGA managing director of golf and is a past President of the Michigan PGA Section and past Section Junior Golf Leader award winner. The PGA of America will be providing complimentary practice round tickets to the PGA Championship, being staged just minutes away from Oakland University Golf and Learning Center. Please visit www.ougolf.com for more information.
The PGA of America
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
