The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships Swings Into The Palm Beaches

The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will return to PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens on July 18 through August 2, 2017. This is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world, which features boys and girls competing in a variety of age groups.  Over 600 golfers from more than 30 different nations will travel to Palm Beach County to participate in this two-week event.  This tournament will take place on three courses on the property of PGA National Resort & Spa.  The prestigious Champions Course in addition to the dynamic Squire and Fazio courses will host the many rounds of golf that makes up the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. 

The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships has taken place in Palm Beach County for 14 consecutive years.  Boys and girls from 10 & under to 13 & under will compete from July 18-23.  Boys and girls between the ages of 13-15 will compete from July 23-28.  Boys and girls between the ages of 15-18 will compete from July 28-August 2.

No other junior golf tournament quite compares to that of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, which focuses on fair competition and cultural understanding among youth. This unique tournament offers as broad a field and expanded age groups as any other in its class.

Since 1978, Optimist-sponsored golf tournaments have served as a springboard for many of golf’s greatest players. Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Davis Love III, Tiger Woods, Michelle McGann and Nancy Lopez are just a few of today’s elite players who found their humble beginnings with the Optimists. Former champions and top finishers of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships include Lexi Thompson, Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Jason Day, Bill Haas, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales

Optimists have been involved in the sport of junior golf for more than 30 years by holding local, regional and international tournaments. More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.

This is one of the largest tourism generators for the summer.   The 2017 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is expected to generate over $2 million of total economic impact for Palm Beach County in addition to nearly 4,000 hotel room nights.  There is no other junior golf tournament in the world that stimulates bed tax revenues and direct spending over a two-week stretch, such as the Optimist’s premier event. 

Optimists have been involved in the sport of junior golf for more than 30 years by holding local, regional and international tournaments. More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships.