Rapid City, South Dakota, will welcome the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) for 2026, 2027 and 2028 at the Golf Club at Red Rock as part of a new three-year partnership between the Rapid City Sports Commission and the AJGA.
This year’s event will take place September 2-6, 2026, with 78 of the nation’s best junior golfers coming to Rapid City to play at the top-ranked public course in South Dakota. Participants will range from 12-19 years old and the event will draw families, coaches, college recruiters and spectators from across the country and around the world to Rapid City.
"All of us at the Golf Club at Red Rock, from ownership to members and staff, are honored to host an AJGA event. We look forward to highlighting both our golf course and the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota."
By returning to South Dakota, the championship helps reduce travel barriers for junior golfers from surrounding states, while also introducing attendees to Rapid City and the surrounding area. The event will reinforce the area’s growing reputation as a premier destination for high-level sports tourism, while also expanding access to elite junior golf opportunities, strengthening the regional junior golf pipeline and increasing exposure, competitive opportunities and a clearer pathway to collegiate golf, closer to home.
“This is an exciting event for Rapid City. Rapid is the ideal place to host this national event, with the top-ranked public course in the state, a welcoming community and national attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park.”
The following is an overview of the event and its happenings:
· Wednesday, September 2: AJGA Qualifier. 78 junior golfers will have the opportunity to earn entry into the main field.
· Thursday, September 3: Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament and Official Practice Round. This will bring together local businesses, civic leaders and visiting families to play alongside elite junior athletes, raise money for charity and strengthen community connections.
· Friday, September 4-Sunday, September 6: 54-Hole Stroke-Play Championship, including an awards ceremony.
“The AJGA Junior at Red Rock is more than a tournament, it’s a destination experience. Our partnership with the Rapid City Sports Commission reflects a shared vision of using elite junior golf to drive visitation, economic impact and national recognition, while also making AJGA competition more accessible to junior golfers throughout this region of the country.”
The AJGA and Rapid City Sports Commission invite local businesses, volunteers and community partners to play an active role in the championship. Opportunities include sponsorship activation, volunteer participation throughout tournament week and involvement in the Junior-Am, each designed to maximize the event’s economic, charitable and community impact across the region.
For more information on partnership or volunteer opportunities, please contact Trevon Wehrman, Regional Manager, South Central at twehrman@ajga.org . Learn more about the American Junior Golf Association at ajga.org and Visit Rapid City at VisitRapidCity.com .
About Rapid City Sports Commission
The Rapid City Sports Commission exists to drive opportunity on and off the field by bringing exceptional sporting events to Rapid City and the Black Hills region. A full-service sports tourism organization, the Commission supports event planners from initial inquiry through execution, helps attract regional and national championships and works to elevate the local economy and community through sport. Rapid City’s legendary setting, competitive spirit and world-class facilities make it a game-day-ready destination for athletes and fans alike. The Commission’s efforts aim to create unforgettable experiences, generate meaningful economic impact and build a lasting legacy for sport in the region.