Getting Started with the AJGA

Note: Any information dependent on the completion of the 2009 schedule will be updated after the schedule is finalized.

What is the AJGA?
Why should I join?
Who is eligible to be an AJGA Member?
What playing opportunities are available with the AJGA?
How do I apply for AJGA qualifiers?
How do I apply for AJGA tournaments?
How do I know if I’ve been accepted to an AJGA tournament or qualifier?
How much does it cost?
What is the Refund Policy?
What is the ACE Grant?
How do I withdraw from an AJGA tournament or qualifier?
What should I expect at my first AJGA tournaments?
How do I join?
Do you have more questions?

What is the AJGA?

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Since 1978, the American Junior Golf Association has been devoted to conducting national junior golf tournaments at the highest level of junior golf. In 2009, the AJGA will conduct over 80 tournaments and 45 qualifiers for young players, ages 12-18. At each event, the AJGA seeks to live up to its mission statement by providing a first-class venue, professional staff and a safe environment. The AJGA requires its golfers to adhere to a Code of Conduct and Pace of Play.

Why should I join?

Most junior golfers join the AJGA to play tournament golf, where they will find outstanding competition and be seen by college golf coaches, in hopes of securing a college golf scholarship. The benefits go beyond the tournaments, however.

The AJGA offers three different membership options. The standard Junior Membership is recommended for those who have not yet reached their sophomore year of high school.

The Junior Plus Membership is ideal for high school sophomores and juniors who are planning to attend college. Younger players may wish to become Junior Plus Members in order to better prepare themselves for the recruiting process yet to come.  Players who sign up for the Junior Membership may upgrade to the Junior Plus during the season.

The Future Player Membership is a non-playing membership for juniors who are either not old enough to compete in AJGA events or have no intention of applying to play in AJGA tournaments. This offers an opportunity for younger players to keep abreast of AJGA events and programs.

For a complete list of membership benefits click here.

Back to the top.

Who is eligible to be an AJGA member?

Players may sign up for Junior or Junior Plus Membership before their 12th birthday. However, they must be at least 12 years of age to participate in an AJGA event. Future Player Membership (non-playing) is open to all juniors under the age of 19.

Those juniors who have graduated from high school may only play until Sept. 1 (through August 31) of the season directly following high school graduation, regardless of age and/or juniors may not play in an AJGA event if they have reached their 19th birthday, regardless of graduation date. Any junior who has graduated high school and enrolled in college and started classes is not eligible to play in AJGA events.

Prior to applying to tournaments or qualifiers, you will need to submit acceptable proof-of-age documentation to the AJGA. A notarized copy (must be notarized after the copy is made) of either a birth certificate, passport or drivers license is acceptable documentation. This document must be mailed to the AJGA. Please click the link above for the complete policy and submission instructions.

2009 AJGA Membership expires Nov. 30, 2009.

What playing opportunities are available with the AJGA?

Medicus Preseason Junior Series

The AJGA's Medicus Preseason Junior Series is a series designed specifically for first-time AJGA members or those members who have not yet been accepted to or participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Junior All-Star Series event in the current calendar year and/or the previous calendar year.

For those who are eligible, participation is limited to one Medicus Preseason event per calendar year as long as they have not yet been accepted to or participated in an AJGA Open event, AJGA Invitational or Junior All-Star Series event.

For more information about the Medicus Preseason Junior Series click here.

Junior All-Star Series

The Junior All-Star Series is a collection of 10 events specifically designed for boys and girls age 12 - 15 years old. The competition provides an opportunity for younger members to develop their skills and build Performance Based Entry status to earn entry into Open tournaments. Juniors are limited to a maximum combination of five AJGA Open and Junior All-Star Series events. The series concludes with the invitation-only Mayors Junior All-Star Championship. 

For more information about the Junior All-Star Series click here.

Open Tournament Series

AJGA Open tournaments make up the largest part of the AJGA schedule.  All members may submit tournament applications to Open tournaments and the tournament fields are filled by Performance Based Entry. 

With the AJGA's Performance Based Entry system, all AJGA Open tournaments are filled based on players’ status, which consists of Tournament Exemptions and Performance Stars. All players have a status that is based on how they've performed in hundreds of state, regional and national events across the country, both AJGA and non-AJGA events. Tournament fields are filled by players who have the highest status and have properly applied to the event. Juniors are limited to a maximum combination of five AJGA Open and Junior All-Star Series events. Click here to view more information on Performance Based Entry and see a complete list of tournaments where a player can build their Performance Based Entry status. 

All AJGA members are encouraged to apply for AJGA Open tournaments, regardless of status. Players who do not earn entry into an Open tournament can apply to the qualifier coinciding with that event. 

Players who apply to AJGA Open events and do not gain entry are NOT automatically moved to the qualifier for that event.  They must submit a separate qualifier application.  

For more information about the Open Tournament Series click here.

Invitational Events

These championships require an invitation based on selection criteria from finishes in AJGA and non-AJGA national junior tournaments.  Eligible players for each invitational will appear on an invitation list at ajga.org.  Eligible players must submit a tournament application at the AJGA Player Center. For more information and selection criteria for Invitational Events click here.

Qualifier Series

The Qualifier Series is one of the main ways players get their start with the AJGA. 

Typically held the day prior to AJGA Open tournaments, 18-hole Qualifiers give juniors an opportunity to "play their way in" to each coinciding Open tournament or earn a Tournament Exemption or Performance Star for a future event. 

While most qualifiers fill the 100-player field size, there were many qualifiers in 2008 that still had available spots after the initial application window providing many additional opportunities for players.

A typical Qualifier field size is 80 boys and 20 girls.  Boys play for a minimum of 8 tournament spots and girls play for a minimum of 2 tournament spots.  The exact number of spots will be posted at Qualifier registration.  In 2008, the average score to qualify was: Boys – 76.6 Girls – 82.6.  The average score to finish in the top 50% of the qualifier field and earn a Performance Star was: Boys – 79.4 Girls – 84.1 .

*Note: Those who qualify and play in the tournament or elect to choose the Option Policy and have a Tournament Exemption added to their status are not eligible to earn an additional Performance Star for finishing in the top 50% of the Qualifier field.

Tournament and Qualifier Application and Acceptance Information

Prior to applying to tournaments or qualifiers, you will need to submit acceptable proof-of-age documentation to the AJGA. A notarized copy (must be notarized after the copy is made) of either a birth certificate, passport or drivers license is acceptable documentation. This document must be mailed to the AJGA. Please click the link above for the complete policy and submission instructions.

How do I apply for AJGA qualifiers?

Qualifier applications are available to members inside the AJGA Player Center. AJGA members must apply for a qualifier during the application window which begins the Friday after the tournament application deadline at 3 pm ET and runs through Monday, Noon ET. The order applications are received has no affect on the qualifier field, however players must apply within this window to be considered. Players who apply after this point will be placed on an alternate list, after those who applied during the application window, in the order they are received. 

Please Note: Players who apply to AJGA Open events and do not gain entry are NOT automatically moved to the qualifier for that event.  They must submit a separate qualifier application.

Space permitting, non-members may apply one week following the Qualifier release to AJGA members. For information on obtaining an AJGA Non-Member ID click here.

For help with qualifier applications click here.

Back to the top.

How do I apply for AJGA tournaments?

Tournament applications are available to members inside the AJGA Player Center. Once you have joined the AJGA, you will receive your Member ID # via e-mail and you can log in to the Player Center. Once your proof-of-age documentation has been accepted you can start applying to tournaments.

Players may apply to multiple tournaments (Junior All-Star and Open) in the same week as a way to increase their chances of being accepted into a tournament field.  They must submit a priority list to Chandler Sweat at csweat@ajga.org prior to the tournament application deadline indicating their tournament preferences in case they have the Performance Based Entry Status to be accepted to multiple events that week.  We will attempt to accommodate your top preference but this is not guaranteed.  There will be a $10 application fee for each additional tournament application during the same tournament week.  

For a complete list of tournament application deadline dates click here.

Please remember that submitting a tournament application does NOT guarantee acceptance into that event.

For help with tournament applications click here.

How do I know if I’ve been accepted to an AJGA tournament or qualifier?

AJGA membership does not guarantee acceptance into an AJGA event.

New for 2009, you will be able to view the status of all qualifier and tournament applications via the AJGA Player Center.  After tournament and qualifier fields are finalized and posted you will be able to view your updated application status there.  Accepted tournament and qualifier fields, as well as qualifier alternate lists, will also be posted on each tournament web site. 

The AJGA will post finalized tournament fields at Noon ET at ajga.org the Friday following the tournament application deadline.  Finalized qualifier fields and alternate lists will be posted on Tuesday at 5 pm ET following the release of the application. It is the member's responsibility to find tournament and qualifier fields at ajga.org.

Players who apply to AJGA Open events and do not gain entry are NOT automatically moved to the qualifier for that event.  They must submit a separate qualifier application.

How much does it cost?

2009 Membership Fees (Subject to change)

Junior Membership - $210

Junior Plus Membership - $285

Future Player Membership - $95

Non-U.S./Non-Canadian members must add an additional $25 to Junior and Junior Plus Membership fees. International/Canadian membership/tournament fees must be paid in U.S. currency drawn against a U.S. Bank.

2008 Tournament Fees (2009 fees TBA)
Preseason Junior Series Tournament: $235
Junior All-Star Series Tournament: $255
AJGA Qualifier: $75 ($100 for non-AJGA members)
AJGA Open Tournament: $255
AJGA Invitational Tournament: $305

Back to the top.

What is the Refund Policy?

Membership: After your membership has been processed, the membership dues are non-refundable.

Tournaments: Juniors may withdraw before the application deadline with no charge. The credit card for tournaments are charged only upon entry into an event or if a player withdraws after the application deadline.

Once the application deadline for an event has passed, juniors will not receive a tournament entry refund. In other words, if a junior withdraws before the deadline, the junior is not charged. If a junior withdraws after the application deadline, the junior will receive no refund from the $235-$305 tournament fee. All tournament application deadlines are posted on the AJGA Web site under Player Information – Dates to Remember.

Note: All processing fees (applying to more than one tournament in a given week) are non-refundable.

Qualifiers: When applying to a qualifier, the credit card is automatically charged the entrance fee. Up to two weeks prior to the qualifier, a junior may withdraw from the qualifier and receive the qualifier entry fee minus a $10 processing fee.  Also, if a junior remains on the qualifier alternate list and does not play in the qualifier he will receive the qualifier entry fee minus a $10 processing fee.  Qualifier refunds are issued after completion of the coinciding Open tournament.

If a junior withdraws within two weeks of the qualifier (regardless of when they signed up for the event) the junior will no longer receive a refund. To get the most up-to-date list of withdrawal refund deadlines, please refer to the AJGA Web site. The dates will be listed under Player Information – Dates to Remember.

Back to the top.

What is the ACE Grant?

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

To apply for the ACE Grant, you must become an AJGA member, then you can log into the Player Center to view the ACE Grant application process.

How do I withdraw from an AJGA Tournament or Qualifier?

To withdraw from an AJGA tournament or qualifier, please follow these steps. Also, please review the refund policy before withdrawing from an event. 

Email is NOT a proper method of withdrawal at any time.

Online Withdrawal
(Suggested Method of Withdrawal)

1. You must have your Member ID number to enter the Player Center.
2. Go to the link for “Withdraw from Tournament” or “Withdraw from Qualifiers.”
3. Please read the “Important Tournament Withdrawal Information” by clicking on the corresponding link. After reading completely, close this screen by clicking on the “X” in the upper right hand corner.
4. After closing the “Important Tournament Withdrawal Information” screen, you will see the tournament or list of tournaments you have applied to or been accepted to. Click on the box to the left of the tournament from which you would like to withdraw (a check mark in the box means you have selected that event).
5. Once the Tournament/ Qualifier you wish to withdraw from is selected, continue to fill out the required information, i.e. relationship to player and reason of withdrawal. Click “Submit” when complete.
6. The next page will contain the withdrawal confirmation. It will list the Tournaments/Qualifiers that the Junior has selected to withdraw from. Please be sure to print this page.
7. A confirmation will also be sent to your e-mail address on file.

Note: Approximately 1 week before an event, the online withdrawal option is no longer available.  If you need to withdraw at this point you will need to call the AJGA Headquarters at 877-373-2542 and ask to be transferred to a withdrawal hotline.  (If you call outside of business hours, just follow the message prompts to reach the withdrawal hotline.)  The withdrawal hotline is a voicemail prompt system that will direct you to the correct upcoming tournament. Leave a message on the withdrawal hotline for the correct tournament and your withdrawal is complete.

Phone Withdrawal
(If access to the AJGA Web site is not available please follow these instructions)

1. Call AJGA Headquarters at 877-373-2542 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST to withdraw from an event.
2. You will be transferred to the Player Services Department. Please have your Member ID number and specify what Tournament or Qualifier it is that you want to withdraw from.
3. Please check the AJGA Web site two (2) business days after making your phone withdrawal. Your name should no longer be in the tournament field.

Note: If it is within 1 week of the event and the online withdrawal option is no longer available you MUST call the AJGA Headquarters at 877-373-2542 and leave a message on the withdrawal hotline for that event.

Back to the top.

What should I expect at my first AJGA tournaments?

Expect professional and courteous AJGA staff; expect quality venues; expect a safe environment; expect to live up to the AJGA Code of Conduct; expect to play by the Rules of Golf, with Rules Officials on course to assist you; expect to play against the top competition from your region and from across the country; expect a tournament gift bag with one dozen Titleist Pro-V1 balls and other great gifts; expect to have fun; and expect a great overall experience.

How do I join?

Joining the AJGA can be done online at ajga.org. Click here and you will be taken to the AJGA online membership form. After submitting your membership the AJGA will send an automated e-mail confirmation which includes your AJGA Member ID # and a summary of the information entered on the membership form.  Members will also be mailed a membership packet with other membership items.  Juniors may also join by mail. Simply call toll-free 1-877-373-2542 and request an AJGA Membership Brochure.

Prior to applying to tournaments or qualifiers, you will need to submit acceptable proof-of-age documentation to the AJGA. A notarized copy (must be notarized after the copy is made) of either a birth certificate, passport or drivers license is acceptable documentation. This document must be mailed to the AJGA. Please click the link above for the complete policy and submission instructions.

Do you have more questions?

The AJGA's Player Services Department is ready to answer your questions. Call the AJGA toll-free at 1-877-373-2542, or contact the AJGA via e-mail at ajga@ajga.org.

Back to the top.