In just two weeks, 96 boys and girls across 12 All-Star teams – who were a part of the 70,000 who participated in PGA Jr. League this year – will descend upon Scottsdale’s Grayhawk Golf Club for the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, which will be broadcast live on select ESPN networks for the second year. Grayhawk has hosted the PGA Jr. League Championship each year since 2016.
COMPETITORS AND EVENT HISTORY
As of Sunday (Sept. 18), the Championship field is set. The 13u Regional Champions representing their states include:
Team California (Encinitas)
Coach: John Mason, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jackie DeWald-Mason
2015 and 2018 National Champions
Team Connecticut (Torrington)
Coach: Bob Sparks, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jim Bunel
Team Florida (Orlando)
Coach: Cori McAuliffe, LPGA
Assistant Coach: Jeff Beaver
Team Illinois (Lemont)
Coach: Kevin Weeks, PGA
Assistant Coach: Clayton Pendergraft, PGA
Team Minnesota (Blaine)
Coach: David Branstad, PGA
Assistant Coach: Tony Serpico
Team New Jersey (Haworth)
Coach: Mark Thornewell, PGA
Assistant Coach: Chip Ranco, PGA
Team New York (Saratoga Springs)
Coach: Anders Mattson, PGA
Assistant Coach: Bob Cain, PGA
Team North Carolina (Charlotte)
Coach: Brent Reneau, PGA
Assistant Coach: Mike Abate, PGA
Team Oklahoma (Broken Arrow)
Coach: Amanda Fisher, LPGA
Assistant Coach: Nick Hughes
Team Pennsylvania (West Mifflin)
Coach: Troy Williams, PGA
Assistant Coach: Jason Higginbotham
Team Texas (Farmers Branch)
Coach: Joey Anders, PGA
Assistant Coach: April Pyle
Team Utah (Lehi)
Coach: Tele Wightman, PGA
Assistant Coach: Kelepi Ofahengaue
2021 National Champions
EVENT OVERVIEW
The Championship kicks off Thursday, Oct. 6, with the Skills Challenge and National Car Rental Welcome Party. At the Skills Challenge, players will rotate through fun stations involving both golf and non-golf activities.
Rounds one and two will take place Friday and Saturday (Oct. 7-8), during which teams will compete in a two-person scramble, team aggregate stroke play format.
The Championship concludes with match play semifinal and final rounds on Sunday, Oct. 9.
For the second year, a 9-hole, two-person scramble coined the “Raptor Shootout” will be offered for players of the eight teams not participating in semifinals.
Held Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. MST, the inaugural Career Exploration Day is open to the public and will provide an inside look at the various career opportunities within the golf industry. Attendees will be taken on a behind-the-ropes tour and have an opportunity to meet key individuals involved in tournament operations, technology and media. Online registration can be completed here.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE
ESPN on-air talent who joined the 2021 broadcast will reprise their roles this year, including PGA Honorary President and PGA Jr. League Coach Suzy Whaley, PGA; Michael Collins; Andy North; and Taylor Zarzour. The Championship live broadcast is as follows:
All Times ET
Friday, Oct. 7, 2022
ESPN2 | Noon-2 p.m.
ESPN+ | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022
ESPNews | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
ESPN+ | 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022
ESPNU | 4-6 p.m.
ESPN2 | 9-11 p.m. (re-air)
#DRIVETOTHECHAMPIONSHIP
Through PGA Jr. League, kids ages 17 and under learn and play golf on co-ed teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals.
Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of 13u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 10-13) and 17u All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 14-17), are formed in each league to compete in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.
Teams begin their journey at Section Qualifiers and Section Championships held by all 41 PGA Sections, and/or participate in at least three local All-Star Play Days in order to advance to one of 12 Regional Championships. At Regionals, 13u All-Star teams compete for one of 12 spots in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship. The competing 17u All-Star teams conclude their Championship Season at the Regionals.
National Car Rental was named the inaugural title partner of the Championship Season last year. PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012, National’s title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth of PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.
