Welcome to this week’s junior golf event preview for June 22-23, 2024. Coming off another outstanding weekend on the Hurricane Tour, the upcoming slate of seven new tournaments across seven states promises to deliver more champions and memories. Here’s a preview of what kids nationwide will experience this weekend:
Connecticut Summer Kickoff at Fairchild Wheeler
In Fairfield, CT, competitors from the northeast will take on Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course. With the Black course’s phenomenal scenic views, winding hills, and newly renovated greenside bunkers and fairways, this event will be a treat for participants.
Looking at the course, one hole stands out: the par 4 13th hole. The most difficult hole on the back 9, the hole is 427 yards in length and lined with trees on both sides of the fairway.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 83F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. On Sunday, cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Indianapolis Junior Open
Next up, we move west to Greenwood, Indiana, just South of Indianapolis. The event takes place at the Hickory Stick Golf Club, with a total length of 6,834 yards. Hickory Stick offers mounded roughs and rolling fairways for a great golfing experience and allows for some great competition.
There are many holes on the course that are on the edge of a public road and even holes that are right on the edge of the water. Hole 5 appears to be among the most challenging. A longer par 4 at 426 yards with huge pine trees that guard the shortcut tightly.
Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny skies. Hot. High 94F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. On Sunday, rain showers in the morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Major Championship at Golden Horseshoe
In historic Williamsburg, VA, the Hurricane Tour travels to the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, voted one of America’s best modern courses. Opened in 1991, the Green course is carved from the magnificent terrain of the parkland and creates an entertaining challenge for all golfers.
HJGT competitors will pay close attention to hole #6, which is among the Green course’s toughest tests. Open but demanding off the tee, the fairway has bunkers on each side and the approach must carry a ravine and be accurate to a hillside green framed by spectacular trees and two bunkers on each side.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, plentiful sunshine. Hot. High around 95F. Winds light and variable. On Sunday, partly cloudy. Near record high temperatures. High 96F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Philadelphia Summer Junior Open
The tour heads north to Gilbertsville, PA to host the Philly Summer Junior Open at The Presidential Golf Course at the Hickory Valley Golf Club, a four-star rated course by Golf Digest. At 6,721 yards. Hickory Valley combines the old and the new. From the rolling greens to the lakes and environmental areas, the Presidential course has a lot to offer competitors. The back nine of the course tightens with tall hardwoods and smaller greens. Yet, the closing on the Presidential is where the real challenge begins with three great finishing holes.
The par-4 8th hole is one to watch. A 413-yard dogleg right well-protected by multiple bunkers makes this hole a great test.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. On Sunday, more clouds than sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
St. Louis Summer Junior Open
HJGT heads to O’Fallon, Missouri which is a town of rich history and fabulous golf, including The Falls GC, which has hosted PGA, USGA, and MGA tournaments. At 6,523 yards with appealing tree lines and multiple bodies of water surrounding the greens, The Falls offers a great experience for tournament-level players.
Golfers should be especially aware of #5. This hole has a partial dog leg and water between the fairway and green.
Weather Forecast: For Saturday, partly cloudy skies. Hot. High 96F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. For Sunday, partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms in the morning. High around 95F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Tampa Bay Summer Junior Open
In the sunshine state, HJGT heads to Oldsmar, Florida at the East Lake Woodlands Golf Club. This course offers challenging play with terrific views. The fairways and greens are always well-kept and ready for any competition that steps foot there.
Each hole on the South course holds a different challenge for golfers, but hole #7 is among the toughest. A dogleg left par 4 requiring a good tee shot to have a shot at the well guarded green.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, partly cloudy early with thunderstorms becoming likely during the afternoon. High 93F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. On Sunday, partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 91F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
The Virtues Summer Junior Open
Finally, HJGT stops in Nashport, Ohio at The Virtues Golf Club- Longaberger. In 2021, the club ranked number 84 in Golf Digest America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. It was also ranked the #1 public golf course in the state of Ohio by Golf Magazine. This parkland-style course is 7,243 yards long and is only 40 miles from downtown Columbus.
A hole to keep on the radar is #4. This is one of the longest on the course at 504 yards in length making it more difficult for the young golfers. It starts narrow at the tee with trees on both sides and then finally opens up to the fairway. There is a slight dogleg, but the yardage might be the biggest cause of concern.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. Near record high temperatures. High 96F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. On Sunday, showers early then scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Check back next week for tournament previews for June 29-30. Follow our live leaderboards on the HJGT app or on HJGT.org to keep up with all players competing this weekend!
