12 teams of junior golfers will compete in tournament broadcast live on ESPN networks
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – In just two weeks, 96 boys and girls across 12 All-Star teams – who were a part of the 70,000 who participated in PGA Jr. League this year – will descend upon Scottsdale’s Grayhawk Golf Club for the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, which will be broadcast live on select ESPN networks for the second year. Grayhawk has hosted the PGA Jr. League Championship each year since 2016.
COMPETITORS AND EVENT HISTORY
As of Sunday (Sept. 18), the Championship field is set. The 13u Regional Champions representing their states include:
- Team California (Encinitas)
Coach: John Mason, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jackie DeWald-Mason
2015 and 2018 National Champion
- Team Connecticut (Torrington)
Coach: Bob Sparks, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jim Bune
- Team Florida (Orlando)
Coach: Cori McAuliffe, LPGA
Assistant Coach: Jeff Beaver
- Team Illinois (Lemont)
Coach: Kevin Weeks, PGA
Assistant Coach: Clayton Pendergraft, PGA
- Team Minnesota (Blaine)
Coach: David Branstad, PGA
Assistant Coach: Tony Serpico
- Team New Jersey (Haworth)
Coach: Mark Thornewell, PGA
Assistant Coach: Chip Ranco, PGA
- Team New York (Saratoga Springs)
Coach: Anders Mattson, PGA
Assistant Coach: Bob Cain, PGA
- Team North Carolina (Charlotte)
Coach: Brent Reneau, PGA
Assistant Coach: Mike Abate, PGA
- Team Oklahoma (Broken Arrow)
Coach: Amanda Fisher, LPGA
Assistant Coach: Nick Hughe
- Team Pennsylvania (West Mifflin)
Coach: Troy Williams, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jason Higginbotham
- Team Texas (Farmers Branch)
Coach: Joey Anders, PGA
Assistant Coach: April Pyle
- Team Utah (Lehi)
Coach: Tele Wightman, PGA
Assistant Coach: Kelepi Ofahengaue
2021 National Champions
EVENT OVERVIEW
The Championship kicks off Thursday, Oct. 6, with the Skills Challenge and National Car Rental Welcome Party. At the Skills Challenge, players will rotate through fun stations involving both golf and non-golf activities.
- Rounds one and two will take place Friday and Saturday (Oct. 7-8), during which teams will compete in a two-person scramble, team aggregate stroke play format.
- The Championship concludes with match play semifinal and final rounds on Sunday, Oct. 9.
- For the second year, a 9-hole, two-person scramble coined the “Raptor Shootout” will be offered for players of the eight teams not participating in semifinals.
- Held Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. MST, the inaugural Career Exploration Day is open to the public and will provide an inside look at the various career opportunities within the golf industry. Attendees will be taken on a behind-the-ropes tour and have an opportunity to meet key individuals involved in tournament operations, technology and media. Online registration can be completed here.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
ESPN on-air talent who joined the 2021 broadcast will reprise their roles this year, including PGA Honorary President and PGA Jr. League Coach Suzy Whaley, PGA; Michael Collins; Andy North; and Taylor Zarzour. The Championship live broadcast is as follows:
All times ET:
- Friday, Oct. 7, 2022
- ESPN2 | Noon-2 p.m.
- ESPN+ | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022
- ESPNews | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- ESPN+ | 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022
- ESPNU | 4-6 p.m.
- ESPN2 | 9-11 p.m. (re-air)
#DRIVETOTHECHAMPIONSHIP
Through PGA Jr. League, kids ages 17 and under learn and play golf on co-ed teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals.
Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of 13u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 10-13) and 17u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 14-17), are formed in each league to compete in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.
Teams begin their journey at Section Qualifiers and Section Championships held by all 41 PGA Sections, and/or participate in at least three local All-Star Play Days in order to advance to one of 12 Regional Championships. At Regionals, 13u All-Star teams compete for one of 12 spots in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship. The competing 17u All-Star teams conclude their Championship Season at the Regionals.
National Car Rental was named the inaugural title partner of the Championship Season last year. PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012, National’s title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth of PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.
For more information about PGA Jr. League and the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, visit PGAJrLeague.com.
About PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League brings families and friends together around fun, team golf experiences for kids ages 17 and under, with expert coaching from PGA Professionals. Visit PGAJrLeague.com for more information, and follow @PGAJrLeague on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andYouTube.
About PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter,Instagram and Facebook.
About Grayhawk Golf Club
Offering 36 holes of golf in a Sonoran Desert setting, Grayhawk Golf Club is widely considered one of Arizona’s top daily fee golf venues. Since opening in 1994, Grayhawk has been honored with industry accolades, and its two golf courses – Talon and Raptor – have hosted several premier competitive golf tournaments, including the 2021-2023 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships. Other notable events include the PGA TOUR’s Frys.com Open, Williams World Challenge, Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf, WM Phoenix Open pro-ams, Johnnie-O Twin Fin and National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship. Social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
