Donald Ross Junior Championship

The Donald Ross Junior Championship was established in 1947 as a memorial to famed Scottish golf course architect Donald Ross. Every December, more than 200 high school boys and girls come to Pinehurst to compete for this coveted title. Following the event there is an additional Parent-Child competition for the contestants across all three age divisions.

FEES
$350
$150 – Parent/Child (Child’s entry is included with Championship Entry)

ELIGIBILITY

Entries are open to male & female golfers who are age 18 or under, and have NOT completed high school. Play will be contested in three age divisions: 11 & Under Division, 12-14 Division, and 15-18 Division. A separate Parent/Child competition will be contested for players and their parent/guardian on December 30, 2023. Players must have participated in the 76th Donald Ross Junior Championship in order to be eligible to play in the Parent/Child competition.

Online applications will be available here starting October 1, 2023.

ACCEPTANCE

All completely executed applications must be RECEIVED no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time November 9, 2023. No entries will be accepted incomplete or after the deadline. Players will be accepted on a first received/first accepted basis. Submission/receipt of an application does not in itself guarantee acceptance. Once the final field is determined, confirmations or alternate status will be sent to applicants via email. The total number of players for all girls divisions combined will be 72. Each of the boys division will have a maximum number of players allowed:

All Girls Divisions: 72 players on Pinehurst No. 1, 36 Holes
Boys 11 & Under Division: 40 players on Pinehurst No. 3, 36 Holes
Boys 12 to 14 Division: 88 players on Pinehurst No. 8, 36 Holes
Boys 15 to 18 Division: 176 players on Pinehurst Nos. 4 & 5, (1) round on each course

BOYS YARDAGES

GIRLS YARDAGES

Any player withdrawing prior to the close of entries will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after the closing date, but before December 20, 2023, will receive a refund less a $30 processing fee. Cancellations after December 20, 2023, will not receive a refund except in cases of extenuating circumstances, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. All refunds are at the discretion of the Championship Committee.

Entries are subject to rejection at any time, during the Championship. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct by contestants and/or a parent/guardian.

CONDITIONS

Rules for Play: The Championship Rounds shall be played in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf effective 2023 and the Local Rules as defined by the 76th Donald Ross Junior Championship Committee. Unbecoming conduct by a player may result in disqualification.

Carts/Caddies: Carts are prohibited during play. Caddies are ONLY permitted for the 11 & Under Divisions. Caddies in this group can take a spectator cart but the cart must remain on the path. Contestants in the 12-14 division and the 15-18 division are required to walk. **NEW Pull/Push carts are permitted for all age divisions and all courses**. For the Parent/Child Event, carts will be provided, and the driver must have a valid driver’s license.

*Spectator carts will be permitted during play and are offered for a daily fee of $35 (inclusive), based on availability.

Dress Code: Pinehurst Resort and The Donald Ross Junior Championship Committee, require that collared shirts be worn at all times during the event, including practice rounds, Championship rounds, and the Parent/Child competition.

Range Usage: Practice balls will be complimentary prior to and following Practice Rounds and Championship Rounds.

Club Storage: Complimentary club Storage is available for all contestants during the Championship. Players are asked to attach their Championship bag tag for identification purposes.

Boys & Girls Championship Registration will be held on December 27, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Donald Ross Room of the Pinehurst Resort Club. All contestants must register in person during this time. Failure to register or notify the tournament office by 5 p.m. on December 27, may result in disqualification.

The official practice rounds will be held on December 27. The complimentary practice round is for junior contestants only and may be reserved on their respective championship course (No. 1, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 8).

For Those Not Staying at the Resort – Practice round times may be made by calling the Pinehurst Starting Tower at 910-295-3186 or 800-795-4653 (option 6), between the hours of 7 – 11 a.m. beginning December 22, 2023. Please indicate that you are a contestant in the Donald Ross Junior Championship.

Contestants will need to make their own room reservations. For more information please call Reservation Sales at 800-487-4653.

Practice Rounds for Those Staying at Pinehurst Resort – Official Practice round tee times as well as any additional tee times may be booked via our Social Sales Department at the same time as your room reservation.

For practice rounds on days other than the official practice round day, please contact the Pinehurst Golf Shop at 910-235-8141 after 11 a.m. on the day before you wish to play. The rate for additional rounds for contestants will be $100 per round (Course No. 4), $65 per round (Courses No. 1, No. 5, No. 8) and $235 for course No. 2. You must identify yourself as a Donald Ross Junior participant. Practice balls will be complimentary prior to and following practice rounds and Championship Rounds.

December 26, 2023 – For Those Staying at Pinehurst Resort ONLY – An additional round may be booked on Course No. 2 for a special rate of $300 for any Contestant + Parent.

The Parent/Child tournament will be played December 30th, on Pinehurst No. 2 & No. 4. The USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. The format is alternate shot with selected drive (Chapman Format). Age groups will be the same as the Donald Ross Junior Championship. Players must play in the Championship to be eligible to participate in the Parent/Child Tournament. The fee for the junior player is included in the Donald Ross Junior entry fee. The parent’s entry fee is $150, which includes a cart and use of the range. Carts are mandatory for the Parent/Child Tournament. Please note that handicaps are not applicable for this event. Everyone will play from scratch. A minimum of three pro/son teams in any age group will constitute a separate pro division. Practice rounds are not included for those participating in the Parent/Child Tournament.

The Pinehurst Tournament Office and Championship Committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions, provisions, and/or schedules herein. The decision of the Pinehurst Tournament Office and Championship Committee in any matter will be final.

December 27

• BOYS & GIRLS – Contestant Registration: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM. – Donald Ross Room
• Practice rounds – All day.
• Player Dinner- Outlook Room- 6:00pm-8:00pm

December 28

• Course No. 4 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 5 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 8 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 1 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 3 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start

December 29

• Course No. 4 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 5 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 8 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 1 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 3 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• BOYS & GIRLS – Awards Ceremony immediately following in the Donald Ross Room (12-14 boys at Pinehurst No. 8)

December 30

• Parent/Child Event – Open to Boys & Girls Divisions
• Pinehurst No. 4  10:00 AM Shotgun Start
• Scoring is in the Donald Ross Room
• Awards Ceremony immediately following play in the Donald Ross Room

Any player withdrawing prior to the close of entries will receive a full refund. Withdraws made after November 9th, but before 5pm EDT December 20, 2023, will receive a refund less a $30 processing fee. Cancellations after December 20, 2023, will not receive a refund except in cases of extenuating circumstances, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. All refunds are at the discretion of the Championship Committee.

To withdraw please email [email protected] with your registration information.