The Junior America's Cup

History

Boys Junior America's Cup

The Junior America's Cup first started in 1959. The original JAC started as matches between the Mexican, Alberta and the Southern California Junior Golf Associations with each association hosting every 3 years. Today, teams are sent from San Diego, Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Sun Country (New Mexico & El Paso, TX), Hawaii, British Columbia, Alberta and Mexico.

The Junior Americas Cup has showcased some of the best junior golfers throughout the western region. The competition brings together an elite international field of 17 teams of the top four boys representing 12 western states, 2 Canadian Provinces and Mexico competing in a team format.  Team results are based on the lowest three gross scores of the four team members.  Players also compete for low individual medalist honors. 

Many former participants have gone on to become successful Tour players, and its likely many of this year's participants will follow in the footsteps of other famous JAC alumni such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and Corey Pavin. Other notable participants include Ricky Barnes, Notah Begay, John Cook, Jason Gore, Charley Hoffman, Peter Jacobson, Steve Jones, Anthony Kim, Joel Kribel, Casey Martin, Billy Mayfair, Ryan Moore, Kevin Na, Pat Perez, Chris Riley, Scott Simpson, Duffy Waldorf and Mark Wiebe.

Girls Junior America's Cup

The Girls Junior America's Cup was established in 1978 under the leadership of Joan Teats from the state of Washington. The first tournament was held at Tumwater Valley Golf Course in Olympia, Washington. Eleven teams participated including Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, Idaho, Northern California, Northern Nevada, Oregon, San Diego, Southern California, Southern Nevada and Washington.

The second year teams from Colorado, Mexico, Montana and Utah joined the event. In 1985 Hawaii joined this prestigious competition along with New Mexico/Sun Country in 1990. Wyoming completed the 18 team event in 1991.

Each team consists of the top four girls from each state/country. These golfers exemplify not only outstanding skill and experience, but also true sportsmanship, discipline, courtesy and strength of character.

The tournament is a 54-hole competition with teams counting three scores and throwing out the team's highest score. The event also includes a practice round, opening and closing ceremonies, a tournament banquet and a social event. Being chosen to represent your state/country to play in the Girls Junior America's Cup is one of the highest honors in girls' junior golf.

2013 Championship Information

Boys Junior America's Cup

July 28 - August 1, 2013
Wailea Golf Club (Gold Course)
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

Girls Junior America's Cup

July 29 - August 1, 2013
Isleta Eagle Golf Course
Albuquerque, NM

Sun Country Team Selection Process

Sun Country's Boys and Girls Junior Americas Cup teams will be selected through an invitational qualifying event. The three (3) low-finishing boys and girls will qualify to join the Sun Country team at that year's Junior America's Cup. The fourth team member for each team will be reserved for a Captain's pick.

Qualifier Information

Costs and Fundraising

Sun Country Assistance and Parental / Player Responsibility

The Sun Country Junior Golf Foundation will cover the cost of the team entry fee and will assist with the cost of team uniforms. The hosting Association will coordinate free housing for players only. Parents and players are responsible for the cost of travel to the event, any overage on uniform cost, and any other incidental costs related to the event.

Fundraising, Amateur Status & Reimbursement 

Team captains will provide players with opportunities to raise funds to help cover the team's costs. In order to protect the players' amateur status, any contributions received for the Junior America's Cup must be made out to and delivered in full to the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association. The USGA's Rules of Amateur Status provide that the local Amateur Association can issue reimbursements to amateurs for actual expenditures. Therefore, players will be required to submit a reimbursement form with original receipts and will be reimbursed for actual expenditures up to the amount of the funds raised. Reimbursement can be submitted for the player's expenses only. Expenses incurred by the parents for their own travel, lodging, meals, etc., are not reimbursable. For more information regarding the reimbursement of individual tournament expenses, please click here.

Volunteering & Providing Housing

We rely on volunteers to help make our events successful. If you are interested in helping in any of the following areas, please contact Rob Lowry at (800) 346-5319 or rob@suncountrygolfhouse.com

Housing Committee

It is the hosting association's responsibility to find housing for the contestants. Families interested in housing must be able to host a minimum of two contestants, although hosting an entire team of four is preferable. Most contestants will arrive on July 28 and depart on August 1 or 2. It would be very helpful if you are able to provide transportation for the contestants to the golf course each day. If not, shuttles and alternate transportation will be available. At a minimum, host families must be able to drop the contestants off at a shuttle location. 

Rules Committee

We need qualified, certified rules officials to assist our staff officials with rulings and maintain pace of play.

Registration Committee
Volunteers are needed to assemble registration packets and to check players in one the first day of competition.

On Course Committee

Spotters: On-course volunteers to help players spot and search for lost balls.
Emergency evacuation services: In case of emergencies, we need people to help the contestants evacuate the golf course (shuttling players and captains to the safety of the club house or nearest shelter).

Transportation Committee

Not all families providing housing are able to transport the contestants to the golf course. We need volunteers who own vans or are licensed bus drivers to help shuttle contestants to the golf course each day.

Team Captains

Team captains are selected by the executive committees of the Sun Country PGA and the Sun Country Amateur Golf Association and are chosen for their dedication to furthering junior golf and the interests of Sun Country. If you are interested in serving as a team captain in the future, please contact Rob Lowry at rob@suncountrygolfhouse.com.