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, 2024. Players must have participated in the 77th Donald Ross Junior Championship in order to be eligible to play in the Parent/Child competition.

PLAYERS MUST BE THE PROPER AGE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISION ON THE FIRST DAY OF TOURNAMENT PLAY (12/28).

Online applications will be available here starting October 1, 2024 at 10am ET

Applications close November 9^th at 3pm ET.

ACCEPTANCE

All completely executed applications must be RECEIVED no later than 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time November 9, 2024. 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. 4, 36 Holes
Boys 11 & Under Division: 35 players on Pinehurst No. 4, 36 Holes
Boys 12 to 14 Division: 88 players on Pinehurst No. 1, 36 Holes
Boys 15 to 18 Division: 176 players on Pinehurst Nos. 5 & 8, (1) round on each course

Boys Yardages

Girls Yardages

WITHDRAWALS

Any player withdrawing prior to the close of entries will receive a full refund. Cancellations made after the closing date, but before December 20, 2024, will receive a refund less a $30 processing fee. Cancellations after December 20, 2024, 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 77th 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 and players may NOT ride in the cart. Contestants in the 12-14 division and the 15-18 division are required to walk. 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The driving range at the Main Club (No. 1-5) will be off of mats, hitting into a net as range construction continues. Please give yourself ample time to warm-up as spots are limited at the range.

All players: 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 of a late arrival by 5 p.m. on December 27, may result in disqualification.

Official Practice Rounds (one complimentary):

December 27^th Practice Rounds for Those Staying at Pinehurst Resort – Official Practice Round tee times must be booked via our Social Sales Department at the same time as your room reservation. Contestants/families will need to make their own room reservations.  For more information please call 1-800-487-4653.

December 27^th Practice Rounds for Those NOT Staying at Pinehurst Resort – Official 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. ET beginning December 21, 2024. Please indicate that you are a contestant in the Donald Ross Junior Championship.

One complimentary practice round is guaranteed to each player.

Unofficial/Additional Practice Round Information (all unofficial practice rounds are based on availability and not guaranteed): 

For Those Staying at Pinehurst Resort – In order to play an additional round on No. 2, No. 4, or No. 8 on any day that is NOT the official practice round day (December 27^th) you must have a reservation at a resort property, and they are based upon availability and not guaranteed.  The rates for No. 4 and No. 8 are $100 per player, and $235 for No. 2.  Contestants/families will need to make their own room reservations.  For more information please call 1-800-487-4653.  Courses No. 1, No. 3, or No. 5 may be played for $65 per player and may be booked with the social sales department at the same time you are making your reservation.

For Those NOT Staying at Pinehurst Resort – to play an additional round on No. 1, No. 3, or No. 5 on any day that is NOT the official practice round day (December 27^th), call the Pinehurst Golf Shop at 910-235-8141 (opt 4) the day before you wish to play. The rate is $65 per player.

Siblings of contestants receive the same unofficial practice round rate.

Parents/family members receive the “social rate” for unofficial practice rounds.

Contestants/families will need to make their own room reservations.

Players and families of players may reserve a room at Pinehurst Resort during the week of the Championship (December 26-December 31) starting at a rate of $249 per room, per night, plus resort fees and taxes. A one-night deposit is required & is fully refundable up to 30 days prior to arrival. Please mention ‘Donald Ross Jr.’ when you call to reserve your stay.

For more information please call Reservation Sales at 800-487-4653.

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 professional/son teams in any age group will constitute a separate professional 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

• Contestant Registration – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. – Donald Ross Room
• Practice rounds – All day
• Player Dinner – 6:00 – 8:00 PM – Outlook Room/Donald Ross Room

December 28

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

December 29

• Course No. 1 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 4 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 5 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• Course No. 8 – 10:00 AM Shotgun start
• ALL DIVISIONS – Awards Ceremony immediately following play

December 30

• Parent/Child Event – Open to Boys & Girls Divisions
• Pinehurst No. 2/4 – 10:00 AM Shotgun Start
• Scoring – 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 ET December 20, 2024, will receive a refund less a $30 processing fee. Cancellations after December 18, 2024, 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.