Next Generation of Golf Tees Off at Rayburn This Month
- Rita Shipp
- 14 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Brookeland will once again serve as a launching pad for golf’s next generation when the AJGA Junior at Rayburn Resort presented by the City of Jasper returns March 26–29, 2026, at Rayburn Resort & Marina.
For four days, the fairways of Rayburn will host some of the nation’s most accomplished junior golfers — athletes competing not only for a championship trophy, but for national rankings, college visibility and momentum toward the highest levels of the sport.
The event is part of the prestigious American Junior Golf Association circuit, widely regarded as the premier junior golf tour in the country.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The 54-hole stroke play event will feature a 78-player field competing across three rounds. An 18-hole qualifier will be held March 25, offering additional juniors the opportunity to earn a spot in the championship field.
Tournament week also includes a Junior-Am fundraiser on Thursday, March 26, with the following schedule:
Junior-Am – March 26, 2026
Rayburn Resort & Marina – Brookeland
7–8:15 a.m. – Breakfast and Registration
8:30 a.m. – Shotgun Start
1 p.m. – Lunch and Junior-Am Reception
The Junior-Am provides local supporters and sponsors the opportunity to play alongside elite junior competitors while helping support charitable initiatives connected to the tournament.
Playing for More Than a Trophy
The tournament benefits several charitable organizations, including:
AJGA Foundation
Southeast Texas Food Bank
Babe Didrikson Zaharias Foundation
Through these partnerships, the event not only showcases elite junior talent but also contributes to meaningful causes in the region and beyond.
A Proven Stage for Rising Stars
Last year’s champions demonstrated the caliber of talent Rayburn attracts.
2025 Boys Champion:
Wylie Inman (North Palm Beach, Florida)
Rounds: 69-69-66 — 204 (-9)
2025 Girls Champion:
Juliet Oh (Diamond Bar, California)
Rounds: 72-72-68 — 212 (-4)
Both champions closed strong in the final round, reinforcing the level of composure and scoring ability required to win on the AJGA circuit.
The AJGA has long served as a pipeline to collegiate and professional golf, with alumni advancing to major Division I programs and professional tours worldwide.
A Course Built for Competition
Rayburn Resort & Marina provides a demanding but fair test. The layout plays approximately 6,524 yards (par 71) for the boys division and 5,862 yards (par 72) for the girls division. Tree-lined fairways and strategically placed hazards require precision and patience — qualities that often separate contenders from the field.
Spring conditions can further elevate the challenge, placing a premium on consistency over all 54 holes.
Community Involvement Essential
Tournament week relies heavily on local volunteers to ensure smooth operations.
Organizers are currently seeking volunteers for:
Timing Stations
Player Registration
Water Rovers
Medical Attendants
Volunteer opportunities begin March 23, ahead of competition rounds starting March 26.
Those interested can sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/L4HAR
or contact Tournament Director Doug Camp atdcamp@ajga.org
Volunteering offers community members a unique, behind-the-scenes look at nationally ranked junior competition while helping make the event a success.
National Spotlight, Local Impact
Beyond the competition, the AJGA’s return brings visitors, families and coaches from across the country to Brookeland, generating economic activity and highlighting the region’s growing reputation as a destination for competitive golf.
For the players, Rayburn represents another step toward collegiate scholarships and long-term aspirations in the game. For the community, it is an opportunity to witness — and support — the future of golf up close.
When the first tee shot is struck in late March, Rayburn will once again become a proving ground for the sport’s rising stars.
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