WELCOME BACK Optimist Golf Season Officially Reawakens
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pril is here and so is the Optimist District qualifying season. Junior Golfers are making their way back to the golf courses after most tournaments were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Golfers are headed back out with some restrictions in place. Golfers compete in qualifying tournaments over the next several months with the hopes of making it to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. Over 50 Optimist qualifiers will take place this year. Every District tournament receives a set number of qualifying spots in each age division based on the previous year’s golfers playing in their qualifier. For a golfer to advance, they must receive a qualifying spot along with the qualifying scoring criteria. Each participating Optimist District helps young golfers advance by covering the tournament’s registration fees for the District Winners
For more information about the tournament schedule, go to www.optimist.org/golf 24 • Optimist
in the older boys' and girls' age division. A handful of Districts cover the other age divisions as well. The registration fee includes their golf, five nights housing, five breakfasts, and four dinners, along with fun evening activities. In addition to the Optimist qualifiers, we have 21 International Federations who hold tournaments and send golfers to our Championships as well. In addition to the Championship, adults have the opportunity to compete alongside their junior golfers. Each year, Optimist Junior Golf holds two Parent-child Tournaments. These enjoyable events take place between the phases (July 19 and 24). The 18-hole event will be a two-player best-ball format. Optimist junior golfers will pair up with a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. The event will have awards presented in various divisions based on age and gender of the junior golfers. It is a great family–friendly opportunity.
