One of the biggest stories in the junior golf world this spring was the announcement that Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) and the Nexus Luxury Collection were forming a partnership to grow the junior game worldwide. It is a powerful combination, linking Nexus lead partners Tavis- tock Group, Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake with the HJGT’s visionary founder, Mario Conte. We were able to spend a few minutes with Conte recently, enabling him to talk about his tour, its direction for the future and the incredible potential that this new partner- ship could unlock for junior players in the U.S. and across the globe. JG: What was your original concept behind the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour? Conte: I’ve been a golfer since I was 7, and I knew there was a niche for young golfers that wasn’t being adequate- ly filled. So I started the Hurricane Tour in 2008, in three states with 27 events, with the idea of turning it into a national tour with healthy competition. We are now in 32 states, from California to New York and everywhere in be- tween – and still growing. JG: Why did you see this partnership with Nexus as a good collaboration? Conte: I had been approached by other groups before, but this was a natural fit from the beginning. A couple of the guys had sons and daughters playing and loved what we were doing. After a visit to one of the Nexus properties, Albany in The Bahamas, I got to know Nexus and see the passion, imagination and excellence they bring. JG: What are the plans for the partnership? Conte: Our plan is to grow the game of golf domestically and around the world. Golf is a great game and helps kids succeed in life, on and off the course. Nexus will help me expand and strengthen everything about the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. JG: What changes can HJGT players expect to see? Conte: Many of the plans are still being formulated, but Nexus-Hurricane Tour Partnership Promises Exciting Times Ahead OrangeWhipTrainer.com 1.877.505.9447 Info@OrangeWhipTrainer What a fun and simple way to stretch and warm-up for golf, as well as train great tempo, path and rhythm. Nicole Weller LPGA / PGA, The Landings Club 2013 PGA & LPGA National Junior Golf Leaders Award GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional U.S. Kids Golf Master Kids Teacher OW-1088-Junior Golf Magazine Ad_7.25x4.875_4.1.indd 1 4/18/17 4:05 PM our golfers can look forward to exceptional new course venues within the next year or two, and we will be attract- ing additional sponsors who will add a lot of exciting new extras to our tour. JG: As you expand, do you foresee increased international competition? Conte: Absolutely. We’re hoping to have Ryder Cup-style events so young golfers from different countries can compete against one another. JG: Will you continue to host the event at Albany Resort? Conte: Albany will be a regular stop on our February schedule. We plan on inviting the top 10 points winners from each of our six divisions to play in a parent-child member appreciation event there. Albany is an extraor- dinary place, and it is very special that HJGT gets to stage a tournament there. So we’re very excited. And this is just the beginning. BY JUNIOR GOLF STAFF Mario Conte (left) plans to expand options for his Hurricane Tour members