Playing Regular Amateur Events as a junior

[tiger1873]

I am seeing some juniors playing Regular Amateur Events. Anyone can enter these events that put on by various golf associations. Is there any advantage to playing these events? I was also wondering are caddies allowed at these events?

 

I see so many junior opportunities it is hard to believe that it makes sense to play in that many of these events.

[heavy_hitter]

Doesn’t make sense at 10, but makes plenty of sense at 14/15. College coaches look at that on the resume more than they do the junior events.

[wlm]

For players who are going to play in college, it is the next step on the journey. Many of the Am events are primarily populated by college players, so it is an opportunity to begin competing against the next level. Additional benefits are that Amateur events may be ranked higher for WAGR and Scratch Players purposes, so there is a chance to improve in those rankings. Caddies are often allowed.

[theboypinoy]

Once you near high school age, it becomes more common.

 

There are a few benefits. For instance, showing coaches results for the resume. If you play in the more important ones, you get to be around D1 golfers and see how they conduct themselves.

[tiger1873]

I am seeing some juniors playing Regular Amateur Events. Anyone can enter these events that put on by various golf associations. Is there any advantage to playing these events? I was also wondering are caddies allowed at these events?

 

I see so many junior opportunities it is hard to believe that it makes sense to play in that many of these events.

 

Examples?

 

Events like these

 

https://www.wagr.com/womens-events

 

Like Heavy said I don't see why you would play these at younger ages. Makes no sense to me. I can see at older ages playing especially if you think you're good enough to turn pro.

[heavy_hitter]

I am seeing some juniors playing Regular Amateur Events. Anyone can enter these events that put on by various golf associations. Is there any advantage to playing these events? I was also wondering are caddies allowed at these events?

 

I see so many junior opportunities it is hard to believe that it makes sense to play in that many of these events.

 

Examples?

 

Events like these

 

https://www.wagr.com/womens-events

 

Like Heavy said I don't see why you would play these at younger ages. Makes no sense to me. I can see at older ages playing especially if you think you're good enough to turn pro.

 

Has nothing to do with turning Pro either. Colleges are going to look at WAGR rankings as well. They want kids playing in fields with college players to see how they fair against them Starting at 14 my daughter always played in US Women's Open Qualifying, USGA Women's AM qualifying, FSGA Women's Stroke Play Amateur, FSGA Women's Championship.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

I am seeing some juniors playing Regular Amateur Events. Anyone can enter these events that put on by various golf associations. Is there any advantage to playing these events? I was also wondering are caddies allowed at these events?

 

I see so many junior opportunities it is hard to believe that it makes sense to play in that many of these events.

 

Examples?

 

Events like these

 

https://www.wagr.com/womens-events

 

Like Heavy said I don't see why you would play these at younger ages. Makes no sense to me. I can see at older ages playing especially if you think you're good enough to turn pro.

 

Has nothing to do with turning Pro either. Colleges are going to look at WAGR rankings as well. They want kids playing in fields with college players to see how they fair against them Starting at 14 my daughter always played in US Women's Open Qualifying, USGA Women's AM qualifying, FSGA Women's Stroke Play Amateur, FSGA Women's Championship.

 

Any recommendations on the number of WAGR events in one season?

[heavy_hitter]

I am seeing some juniors playing Regular Amateur Events. Anyone can enter these events that put on by various golf associations. Is there any advantage to playing these events? I was also wondering are caddies allowed at these events?

 

I see so many junior opportunities it is hard to believe that it makes sense to play in that many of these events.

 

Examples?

 

Events like these

 

https://www.wagr.com/womens-events

 

Like Heavy said I don't see why you would play these at younger ages. Makes no sense to me. I can see at older ages playing especially if you think you're good enough to turn pro.

 

Has nothing to do with turning Pro either. Colleges are going to look at WAGR rankings as well. They want kids playing in fields with college players to see how they fair against them Starting at 14 my daughter always played in US Women's Open Qualifying, USGA Women's AM qualifying, FSGA Women's Stroke Play Amateur, FSGA Women's Championship.

 

Any recommendations on the number of WAGR events in one season?

 

It is honestly going to depend on how good they are.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

It is honestly going to depend on how good they are.

 

Makes sense. I'm thinking three as all three are local and within a 15 minute drive. Would be his first 54 hole events.

[Pinewood Golfer]

It is honestly going to depend on how good they are.

 

Makes sense. I'm thinking three as all three are local and within a 15 minute drive. Would be his first 54 hole events.

 

Depends on your goal/purpose in playing them. I’m assuming he doesn’t have a WAGR ranking? If that’s the case then the number isn’t terribly relevant.

 

An event being WAGR ranked doesn’t, in and of itself, mean much. The only criteria for an event to be WAGR is that it be 54 holes and be “high level”. Also can’t include younger age divisions of junior events.

 

Hundreds of junior events are WAGR rated events. Many WAGR rated events don’t even require that you necessarily be that good in order to participate. For example, the MS State Junior is WAGR and anyone (age appropriate) can sign up.

[yellowlover519]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That’s crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

[kcap]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

I do not know whether he was trying to qualify. I do know he played US Kids Worlds and his scores and ranking are below.

.

Age 10 - ranked 17 3 Round Score 223

Age 11 - ranked 14 3 Round score of 217

Age 12 - ranked 11 3 round score of 223

 

He was playing really good golf but slight above par golf at this age.

 

Will only add that you needed a 4.4 handicap (in 2019) to try and qualify for the Jr AM. I do not know how a 10-11 yr old get a legit handicap.

[leezer99]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

I do not know whether he was trying to qualify. I do know he played US Kids Worlds and his scores and ranking are below.

.

Age 10 - ranked 17 3 Round Score 223

Age 11 - ranked 14 3 Round score of 217

Age 12 - ranked 11 3 round score of 223

 

He was playing really good golf but slight above par golf at this age.

 

Will only add that you needed a 4.4 handicap (in 2019) to try and qualify for the Jr AM. I do not know how a 10-11 yr old get a legit handicap.

 

My son has had a legit handicap since he was 10. Our men's club has a certain number of free juniors they can sign up each year and since I was on the board for five years he ended up with a GHIN number. He usually only logs tournament rounds though since days on course are usually practice days with multiple shots, etc. Which reminds me that he needs to log a few of his last couple tournament rounds.

[kcap]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

I do not know whether he was trying to qualify. I do know he played US Kids Worlds and his scores and ranking are below.

.

Age 10 - ranked 17 3 Round Score 223

Age 11 - ranked 14 3 Round score of 217

Age 12 - ranked 11 3 round score of 223

 

He was playing really good golf but slight above par golf at this age.

 

Will only add that you needed a 4.4 handicap (in 2019) to try and qualify for the Jr AM. I do not know how a 10-11 yr old get a legit handicap.

 

My son has had a legit handicap since he was 10. Our men's club has a certain number of free juniors they can sign up each year and since I was on the board for five years he ended up with a GHIN number. He usually only logs tournament rounds though since days on course are usually practice days with multiple shots, etc. Which reminds me that he needs to log a few of his last couple tournament rounds.

My son has GHIN since he was 8 -- that is very easy to get and we enter scores. I had said legit handicap in my earlier post The difficulty for young kids is that the slope and ratings are not accurate as the course setup could be different or tournaments. They might play some from the ladies and some from the white. A legit slope/rating handicap will need to account for that.

[yellowlover519]

Here’s the article:

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.newsobserver.com/sports/golf/article151527007.html

[leezer99]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

I do not know whether he was trying to qualify. I do know he played US Kids Worlds and his scores and ranking are below.

.

Age 10 - ranked 17 3 Round Score 223

Age 11 - ranked 14 3 Round score of 217

Age 12 - ranked 11 3 round score of 223

 

He was playing really good golf but slight above par golf at this age.

 

Will only add that you needed a 4.4 handicap (in 2019) to try and qualify for the Jr AM. I do not know how a 10-11 yr old get a legit handicap.

 

My son has had a legit handicap since he was 10. Our men's club has a certain number of free juniors they can sign up each year and since I was on the board for five years he ended up with a GHIN number. He usually only logs tournament rounds though since days on course are usually practice days with multiple shots, etc. Which reminds me that he needs to log a few of his last couple tournament rounds.

My son has GHIN since he was 8 -- that is very easy to get and we enter scores. I had said legit handicap in my earlier post The difficulty for young kids is that the slope and ratings are not accurate as the course setup could be different or tournaments. They might play some from the ladies and some from the white. A legit slope/rating handicap will need to account for that.

 

Every tournament we play has specific slope and rating. It does require you to enter it manually but can be done.

 

[heavy_hitter]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

I do not know whether he was trying to qualify. I do know he played US Kids Worlds and his scores and ranking are below.

.

Age 10 - ranked 17 3 Round Score 223

Age 11 - ranked 14 3 Round score of 217

Age 12 - ranked 11 3 round score of 223

 

He was playing really good golf but slight above par golf at this age.

 

Will only add that you needed a 4.4 handicap (in 2019) to try and qualify for the Jr AM. I do not know how a 10-11 yr old get a legit handicap.

 

Play from forward tees. My kid was playing 5800 + at 10.

[Dog Lover]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

Shay has also been going to most Monday PGA pre-qualifiers for two years now and it is hard to argue with his improvement curve over that time. He is now top ten in WAGR and just won the Jones Cup.

 

Competing with professional men on a weekly basis at age 15 and 16, must count for something on the grind meter. He is in the field at Valspar next month which is big time for a kid barely 17.

 

Check out Alexa Pano and her USGA record at such a young age. If you have not seen her play .......well........ prepare to be shocked. Sick talent!

[JDee1935]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

Shay has also been going to most Monday PGA pre-qualifiers for two years now and it is hard to argue with his improvement curve over that time. He is now top ten in WAGR and just won the Jones Cup.

 

Competing with professional men on a weekly basis at age 15 and 16, must count for something on the grind meter. He is in the field at Valspar next month which is big time for a kid barely 17.

 

Check out Alexa Pano and her USGA record at such a young age. If you have not seen her play .......well........ prepare to be shocked. Sick talent!

 

Pano just shot 69 today as amateur playing in Symetra tour. 2 behind leaders in very strong field. Largest purse ever in Symetra.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

Shay has also been going to most Monday PGA pre-qualifiers for two years now and it is hard to argue with his improvement curve over that time. He is now top ten in WAGR and just won the Jones Cup.

 

Competing with professional men on a weekly basis at age 15 and 16, must count for something on the grind meter. He is in the field at Valspar next month which is big time for a kid barely 17.

 

Check out Alexa Pano and her USGA record at such a young age. If you have not seen her play .......well........ prepare to be shocked. Sick talent!

 

Pano just shot 69 today as amateur playing in Symetra tour. 2 behind leaders in very strong field. Largest purse ever in Symetra.

 

Never seen her in person. Talk to others that had kids in events that she was in. They all raved about her game. They said you can't believe she is that nice.

 

She is in trophy kids on Netflixs if you havent seen it.

[leezer99]

 

She is in trophy kids on Netflixs if you havent seen it.

 

*The Short Game

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

She is in trophy kids on Netflixs if you havent seen it.

 

*The Short Game

 

Stand corrected! Forgot it was on that one.

[JDee1935]

I thought I read that Akshay Bhatia was trying to qualify for US Junior Am at age 10. That's crazy. He must have had serious game as a 10-11 year-old.

Shay has also been going to most Monday PGA pre-qualifiers for two years now and it is hard to argue with his improvement curve over that time. He is now top ten in WAGR and just won the Jones Cup.

 

Competing with professional men on a weekly basis at age 15 and 16, must count for something on the grind meter. He is in the field at Valspar next month which is big time for a kid barely 17.

 

Check out Alexa Pano and her USGA record at such a young age. If you have not seen her play .......well........ prepare to be shocked. Sick talent!

 

Pano just shot 69 today as amateur playing in Symetra tour. 2 behind leaders in very strong field. Largest purse ever in Symetra.

 

Never seen her in person. Talk to others that had kids in events that she was in. They all raved about her game. They said you can't believe she is that nice.

 

She is in trophy kids on Netflixs if you havent seen it.

 

I've seen her play a handfull of times, complete game. And yes, as good a kid as there is, respects everyone. Just heard, she is tied for lead going into final round of Symetra Tour Championship. That's crazy.