Events, Golf

Fort Walton Beach Golf Club hosts 58th Annual Southern Juniors tournament

The Fort Walton Beach Golf Club will host the First Tee Gulf Coast's 58th Annual Southern Juniors tournament for the first time in Okaloosa County history.

Jared Williams

The Fort Walton Beach Golf Club will host the First Tee Gulf Coast’s 58th Annual Southern Juniors tournament, presented by Ronny’s Car Wash, on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1 at the Oaks Course.

The tournament marks the first time the event has been held in Okaloosa County since its establishment by Pensacola Sports in 1968.

The Southern Juniors was originally played at Scenic Hills Country Club and has since rotated among various Northwest Florida courses, including A.C. Read at Pensacola NAS and the Pensacola Country Club.

“We’re excited to host the tournament,” said Golf Course Director Jacob Hill. “Anytime we can get junior golfers out on our course it’s a good thing.”

The Southern Juniors is part of a five-week, five-tournament series that comprises the Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association’s 36th Annual Summer Tour. The tour is open to junior golfers ages 5-18, with 80-90 golfers expected to participate in the Fort Walton Beach event.

First Tee is a non-profit youth development organization that uses golf to help children learn self-confidence, resilience, life and leadership skills. The organization has provided programming at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club since 2013.

The tournament features two divisions. The Future Masters Division serves developing golfers ages 5-18, with ages 5-6 playing six holes per tournament and ages 7-18 playing nine holes. The Junior Masters Division targets more advanced junior golfers seeking tournament experience for high school or college golf preparation. While there is no minimum age for this division, it is recommended for ages 14-18, and players must make a “cut” to participate.

Over the past 35 years, thousands of young golfers have participated with the GPJGA, including professional golfers Heath Slocum, Boo Weekley and two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson.

Tournament play is scheduled to conclude by 2 p.m. each day. Monday’s competition will feature Future Masters ages 12-18 and the Junior Masters Division, while Tuesday will include Future Masters ages 5-11 and the Junior Masters Division.

The Pines Course at the facility is currently under renovation and will remain closed until September.

For more information, contact Tournament Director Ty Aulger at ty@firstteegulfcoast.org or Golf Course Director Jacob Hill at 850-833-9527.

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