MGA Junior Program General Info

Format:	Each MGA member club may field one Open Division Team and/or one Girls' Division Team. The players in each division do not have to be members of the sponsoring club, but may not play for more than one club each year. Each team will compete in at least two of the four weeks of District League Play, starting the week of June 18 and ending the week of July 16. The top two teams and one individual in each district will advance on to the MGA Junior Team Championship. The 2012 Junior Team Championship is at University / Les Bolstad Golf Course, St. Paul, MN on Monday and Tuesday, August 6 & August 7.

Times:	For the District Play Tournaments, the host club only needs to provide approximately three hours of starting times. Players can be assigned to groups of four with all the number one players paired together and number two's together, etc. For most clubs hosting play, starting times should begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Please keep in mind your location and time needed for travel for surrounding teams. For clubs hosting in the metro area, starting times can be as early as 7:30 a.m. because of the proximity of most clubs. If you are able to host, but this outline for starting times does not work, please call the MGA office (952)345-3975.

Cost:	MGA member clubs may enroll a team for the following fee: Open Division = $75.00 Girls' Division = $75.00. There is no additional cost to the juniors, and there are no green fees charged. The MGA Junior Program is an investment in the future of the game of golf.

Team Format:	OPEN DIVISION: Each team will consist of a maximum of four players each week. The four positions can be filled by any combination of boys and girls if the girls, in the judgment of their coach, are skilled enough to play on an even basis with the boys from the middle to back tees. The LOW 3 OF 4 SCORES are totaled for the team score for each week. At least three players must play in two of the four events for the team to qualify for the State Championship. The top two teams and top individual (not on the advancing teams) in each district will advance on to the MGA Junior Team Championship based on their point total accumulated during the weekly District play competitions. GIRLS' DIVISION: Each team will consist of a maximum of four players each week. Only girls can fill the four positions, and they will play from the forward tees. The LOW 2 OF 4 SCORES are totaled for the team score for each week. At least two players must play in two of the four weekly events for the team to qualify for the State Championship. The top two teams and top individual (not on the advancing teams) in each district will advance on to the MGA Junior Team Championship based on their point total accumulated during the weekly competition. Each MGA member club may field ONE Open Division team and/or ONE Girls' Division team.

Eligibility:	Participants must be amateur golfers who have not reached their 19th birthday before 12 midnight on the final day of the Junior Team Championship. The selection of team members is the responsibility of each club. The MGA views the program as a developmental tool for each club's own junior program. The MGA Junior Program can be the goal and/or reward for junior players as they advance through each club's junior program. Players in either division DO NOT have to be members of the sponsoring club and may only play for one club each year.

Club and District Chairs:	Club Chairperson: Each club sponsoring a junior team needs to assign a person to serve as its MGA Junior Program Club Chairperson. The role of the club chairperson is vital to the success of a club's junior program within the MGA's Junior Golf Program. A person who would be a good Junior Club Chairperson would include the club golf professional, a high school coach, a key staff member, or a dedicated club member. This person will be responsible for selecting the team members, attesting that each player meets eligibility requirements, ensuring that all team members have transportation to the events, and conducting the events when hosted at their club. District Chairperson: A district chairperson is typically also a club chairperson, but he/she has the added responsibility of keeping the records for the district events which are sent to them each week. The district chairperson will coordinate the district's final event and determine which two teams and two individuals advance to the Region Tournament. Often times it is most convenient for the club chairperson whose club is hosting the last week of district play to assume the role of district chairperson. The added responsibility is not all that great; however, the district chairperson's contribution to the MGA Junior Program is invaluable.

Miscellaneous:	Scheduling is the sole responsibility of the MGA. Late entries will be accepted for the first 15 days following the entry deadline (May 1st) at the discretion of the MGA Tournament Department. A penalty of an additional $25 per team will be assessed. Rescheduling of rainouts and eligibility disputes are the responsibility of the District Chair whose decision may be appealed to the MGA Tournament Department whose decision is final. Remember that all clubs participating in the MGA Junior Program must be willing to host a district event at least every three years. This is a commitment of approximately three hours of starting times on one of the given mornings. In order for a team (club) to be eligible to advance to the MGA Junior Team Championship, it must have competed in two of the four weekly district competitions.

Enrollment Deadline:	TUESDAY, May 1, 2012 The sooner ALL the enrollment forms are in, the quicker the schedules can be made and sent out to the participating clubs, so please return them ASAP.