Welcome to this week’s junior golf tournament preview for July 27-28, 2024. Coming off another outstanding weekend on the Hurricane Tour, the upcoming slate of five new events across four states promises to deliver more champions and memories. Here’s a preview of what kids nationwide will experience this weekend:
54 Hole Junior Open at Orange County National
We kick off this tournament preview down in Winter Garden, Florida. There are 68 ready competitors to take on Orange County National Golf Club. They will play Panther Lake Course which is known for playing over rolling meadows, through native pines, around and over wetlands, lakes, and up and down elevation changes of up to 60 feet, plus it is first and foremost a visual delight.
Golfers need to be aware of hole #3 “The Creek” which is a real challenge! From the tips, this 470-yard par 4 plays over two water hazards. This narrow fairway requires a precise tee shot down the middle.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. On Sunday, partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 93F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Bears Best Junior Open
For the next tournament, HJGT heads up to Atlanta. There will be some of the best competitors to take on one of the nicest courses in the metro Atlanta area. Bear’s Best Atlanta is a premier golf course located in Suwanee, Georgia. It’s part of the Bear’s Best family of courses, which are known for featuring collections of holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. This particular course showcases some of Nicklaus’s favorite designs from courses worldwide, including holes from Castle Pines, PGA West, Desert Mountain, and Muirfield Village, among others.
The 5th hole at Bear’s Best Atlanta is considered one of the signature holes of the course and is often regarded as the toughest. It is a par-4 that features a demanding tee shot to be played almost perfectly to land it in the narrow fairway. The hole requires precision and accuracy to avoid hazards such as the front of the green bunker while also managing the distance to ensure a successful approach shot onto the green. The green itself can be challenging to navigate due to its undulating contours, making putting a test of skill and patience.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, cloudy early with showers for the afternoon hours. High 86F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. On Sunday, cloudy with periods of rain. High 84F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Brown Deer Park Junior Open
The Hurricane Tour moves up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the next tournament at Brown Deer Park Golf Club. This course is known for being where Tiger Woods turned pro and where the top female professionals played in the qualifying tour for the LPGA. Brown Deer Park contains unique and individual holes, carved out masterfully with a stream running throughout the entire course. The course was originally designed by George Hansen and founded in 1929. It was partially redesigned by Andy North and Roger Packard.
One hole that all golfers should be aware of is hole #6. The 556-yard par-5 from the tips has a slight dogleg right and two greenside bunkers that golfers should do their best to avoid.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, plentiful sunshine. High 81F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. On Sunday, showers that become less numerous later in the day. High 82F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Summer College Prep Series at Penn State #2
State College, Pennsylvania is the next stop on the Hurricane Tour this weekend. The Penn State Golf Club will have an absolutely packed field as they are set to host 84 junior golfers. All players will be teeing off from the White Course which bolsters a par-72 and 6,328 yards. This course will provide a real challenge as it is the same one that the student-athletes at Penn State compete on.
Golfers will need to pay extra attention to hole #3. The long par-5 stretches to a distance of 532 yards which makes a long shot off the tee box a necessity to score well. There are also three greenside bunkers.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, mostly sunny skies. High 83F. Winds light and variable. On Sunday, sunshine throughout the day. High 88F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Union County Junior Open
For the last event in this tournament preview, we head up to Union, New Jersey. Galloping Hill Golf Club is set to host the 69 junior golfers ready to compete this weekend. The course is characterized by its natural terrain of rolling hills and valleys, the course often referred to as “The Hill” has a reputation as one of the most challenging courses in the area. The 18-hole course features 6845 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course was designed by Williard G. Wilkinson.
One hole that all golfers should be aware of is hole #3. The long 464-yard par-4 provides a real test to any golfer.
Weather Forecast: On Saturday, sunny throughout the day. High 88F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. On Sunday, plentiful sunshine. High around 90F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Check back next week for tournament previews for August 3-4. Follow our live leaderboards on the HJGT app or on HJGT.org to keep up with all players competing this weekend!
