Janice Kim and John Siegfried of Alexandria will compete in this year’s Optimist International Junior Golf Championships July 26 through Aug. 3 at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Kim will compete in the girls 14-15 age division July 26 through 28, and Siegfried will compete in the boys 16-18 age division July 31 through Aug. 3.
Hundreds of golfers ages 10 to 18 will travel from throughout the world to play in the annual tournament, now in its 13th year at PGA National. Golfers ages 10 to 15 will play July 26 through 28 in three age divisions each for boys and girls: 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. The older golfers, ages 16 to 18, will have their turn July 31 through Aug. 3. “The tournament will showcase some of the most talented young players in the world, many of whom could be the leading collegiate and professional golfers of tomorrow,” said Krista Grueninger, a PGA spokesperson.
About 625 players representing 40 states, six Canadian provinces and 30 other nations compete in the tourney.
A few recognizable names are past champions of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, including Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Bubba Dickerson, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales.
A number of other well-known professional golfers have participated in Optimist-sponsored championships such as Amy Alcott, John Daly, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Nancy Lopez, Davis Love III, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Lorena Ochoa, Nick Price, David Toms and Tiger Woods.
The junior golfers’ progress can be tracked online at www.optimist.org/golf.
