The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is set to return to Chicopee Country Club in 2026 for the FM Junior Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation, marking the eighth consecutive year the club has hosted the AJGA. The return coincides with a renewed two-year partnership between FM and the AJGA, extending through the 2027 season and expanding FM’s involvement across tournaments, player financial assistance, leadership development and STEM education initiatives.
Chicopee Country Club has been a longtime host of AJGA competition and is widely regarded as one of the premier championship tests in New England. Known for its rolling terrain, tree‑lined fairways and fast, sloping greens, the course has earned accolades from Golf Digest, USA Today and the New England Journal of Golf, and has consistently been ranked among the best public courses in Massachusetts and the New England region.
The event is led locally by Head Golf Professional Mike O’Neill, a past recipient of the AJGA Head Professional of the Year Award, whose longstanding partnership and leadership have played a vital role in the continued success of the championship.
“Chicopee Country Club and the entire City of Chicopee look forward each year to the return of the tournament. It is our ‘major’ golf event, and the entire community comes together, volunteering all week long to give the players and their families a tour-like experience. The staff at Chicopee Country Club, along with the AJGA team, will run a first-class event for the eighth year in a row."
FM will serve as the tournament’s Title Sponsor for the third consecutive year, while the John D. Mineck Foundation continues its longstanding support as Presenting Sponsor for the eighth year. The John D. Mineck Foundation honors the legacy of John D. Mineck by supporting organizations focused on education, youth development and community‑based initiatives.
Since its inception in 2018, the FM Junior Championship has provided more than 1,200 playing opportunities for junior golfers across tournaments and qualifying rounds. In addition to competitive development, the event has generated more than $1.9 million in total economic impact for the Chicopee community through travel, lodging and local spending.
“The FM Junior Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation continues to be a cornerstone event in the Northeast, and Chicopee Country Club provides a championship-caliber test that our players look forward to each year. This renewed partnership with FM strengthens our ability to expand opportunities for junior golfers while continuing to grow the game throughout the region.”
In conjunction with the 2026 championship announcement, the AJGA and FM have renewed their partnership through 2027, building on a shared commitment to competitive opportunity, access and long‑term player development.
As part of the expanded agreement, FM will continue its role as Title Sponsor of the FM Junior Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation and will also serve as a Tournament Partner of the Rolex Girls Junior Championship, contested at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The winner of Rolex Girls Junior Championship, Inseoul Jiamanukoonkit, will receive an exemption into the FM Championship, creating a direct competitive pathway between two premier AJGA events.
“FM is proud to continue sponsoring the FM Junior Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation. This event creates opportunities for talented young athletes across New England while supporting the local economy and area businesses. We greatly appreciate our partnership with the AJGA and look forward to this year’s competition.”
The renewed partnership also deepens FM’s investment in access and player support through the Liberty National ACE Grant program. FM will sponsor a minimum of one female junior golfer from the Northeast who demonstrates the skill but not the financial means to compete in USGA, AJGA, PGA of America or state junior events.
FM will further support junior development through a Mass Cup Sponsorship, part of the Cobra PUMA Golf State Cup Series, which emphasizes charitable giving, leadership and teamwork alongside competition. Scheduled for this summer at Boston Golf Club, the Mass Cup has already generated more than $200,000 in support of the Liberty National ACE Grant.
In addition, FM will lead STEM Challenges and Leadership Series programming at select AJGA events, paired with FM employee volunteer engagement, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to education, mentorship and community impact beyond the golf course.
“Our partnership with FM reflects a shared commitment to developing young athletes both on and off the course. From competitive opportunities to STEM programming and financial assistance initiatives, FM’s investment continues to make a meaningful impact in the lives of junior golfers. We are excited to extend this partnership through 2027 and build on the success of this event and its broader initiatives.”
Together, the FM Junior Championship and the expanded partnership reflect a shared vision between FM and the AJGA that blends elite competitive opportunity with meaningful long-term investment in young athletes, their education and their futures.
For more information on the FM Junior Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation, please visit ajga.org or contact Adam Brueggman (abrueggman@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.