The first of many planned changes for the HJGT will be the new logo, which is more modern and sophisticated than the previous one. 12 | December 2017 #juniorgolfmag Visit us at juniorgolfmag.net T he Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) team made a considerable golf industry splash earlier this year with the announce- ment of a partnership with the Nexus Group, whose lead partners include Tiger Woods, Jus- tin Timberlake and the Tavistock Group. Now, through this partnership, the Hurricane Tour is reinventing itself with a whole new identity, at- titude and general transformation. The HJGT, which is heading into its 11th season, has be- come the largest junior golf tour in the world, hosting over 275 events per year, with upward of 8,000 participating players in 2017. The first of many planned changes for the HJGT will be the new logo, which is more modern and sophisticated than the previous one. The unveil- ing is scheduled for the 2017 National Champi- onship, in Orlando, where 700 junior players are competing in December. ON-COURSETECHNOLOGY Among the major undertakings and additions to the tour, heading into 2018, are the technol- ogy advancements, which will help the HJGT run more efficient and consistent events. When you play in an HJGT tournament in 2018, your group will receive an Android device that is specially coded for players to be able to access specific key features on the phone. With this technology, players will be able to video chat with a senior rules official at any time, receive live scores after every hole, get local rules for each hole and instantly access other pertinent tournament information. “This technology is going to allow us to run the best events in the country,” says Mario Conte, Executive Director and Founder of the HJGT. “We have designed cutting-edge inno- vations that will take some time for people to embrace, but will revolutionize the way events are conducted. “Not only will our players have access to a senior rules official at all times on the course, New HJGT-Nexus Partnership Puts Exciting Changes in Motion BYRICHARDCLARK,JUNIORGOLF through video chat if they are not in the vicin- ity, but they also will have the option to press one button to request a staff member to come to their hole immediately. In addition, the live scoring opportunity for players after each hole is updated to the website and app instantly, so that they can see the current leaderboards on their own phones as well. Lastly, we will have a better handle on pace of play, since each device will have GPS on it. Our tournament directors will be able to track every group on the course and speed up play where needed.” FAMOUSNEWTOURVENUES The 2018 Hurricane Junior Golf Tour will travel to a number of exciting new destinations. For instance, it will make stops at TPC Hard- ing Park, Deer Run, Golf Club at Southwind, Kiawah Island, Sugarloaf, Sea Island, Bethpage Black and Vanderbilt Legends, to name just a few. Once again, the Albany Resort Golf Course, located in the Bahamas and host to the Hero World Challenge, will host the Albany Cup in February, 2018. The event is by invitation only, open to the top finishers in each age group of the HJGT. The top three will re- ceive complimentary accommodations at the Albany Resort. Conte also believes that the HJGT’s player re- ferral program is the best in the business. “Members receive $ 100 for every new player they refer,” notes Conte. “Through the tech- nology we have designed, they simply provide a code and, once the new player uses the code, the member automatically receives credit in their account.” OPENINGTHELINESOFCOMMUNICATION The revamped HJGT also features a new tex- ting service. Members and potential members can ask a question or register for an event, sim- ply by texting HJGT, Monday through Friday, at 407-562-3890. Membership for the 2018 season is currently open, with events spanning from coast to coast. For more information, visit HJGT.org. Players warm up before a HJGT competition Happy HJGT trophy winners