Young Roswell Golfers to Play PGA Junior League Championship

A team of golfers from Atlanta will be playing for the first-ever PGA Junior League Golf Championship after winning the Regional Championship this past weekend. The team has now qualified as one of six teams that will be competing for the championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club outside of Chicago, Sept. 14-16.

The Atlanta team defeated teams from Myrtle Beach, Indianapolis and Raleigh in matches played on Aug. 4-5 at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth. Chuck Scoggins, PGA, the director of Junior Golf at Hamilton Mills Country Club served as the Team Captain.

Members of the team included:

Jordan Rodriquez, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Jacob Bayer, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Luka Karaulic, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Cameron Stokes, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Grace Choi, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Alex Markham, Hamilton Mill Country Club

Jon Erik Alford,

Joseph Kurey,

James Walton, TPC Sugarloaf

Nicholas Gibson, Alpharetta Athletic Club

The PGA of America and LEJ Sports of Norcross partnered to create PGA Junior League Golf, an exciting new team concept for aspiring young golfers. More than 1,800 children, ages seven to 13, competed on more than 120 teams from 22 markets participating in league play throughout June and early July. Following the regular season, four teams advanced to five Regional Championships. The five regional champions, plus a team from the host market in Chicago, will compete for the championship less than two weeks prior to the Ryder Cup.

The program is designed to bring young players together to learn the game among their peers and under the direction of PGA/LPGA Professionals serving as team captains. Parents are also encouraged to play an active role in the administration of matches and leagues, making the Junior League program a family activity with the capability to create another generation of players to enjoy the game. No previous playing experience is required and players of varied skill levels filled out the teams.

PGA Junior League Golf allows young golfers to enjoy the bonding associated with team sports without losing the competitiveness of a structured league environment. Much like other league sports, PGA Junior League Golf participants receive team uniforms with jersey numbers. Matches are coed, two-person scrambles, which reinforces the team concept and limits the pressure on any one player. Coaches can substitute players every three holes so all of the 12 to 14 golfers on each team can participate.

The program will be available nationally in 2013, giving facilities across the country the chance to host a PGA Junior League team. For more information on PGA Junior League Golf, visit the website.