Who is the Canadian Junior Golf Association?
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a national junior golf association dedicated to providing high level competition and instruction to Canada's junior golfers. The CJGA competitive developmental program begins at the age of five where beginning golfers are introduced to the game through the CJGA Junior Linkster Program. The program continues to reflect the appropriate skill level and progression of junior golfers through its Junior Program that offers over 80 tour stops across Canada and includes regional, provincial, and national championships. The elite junior is also able to represent the CJGA and Canada at a number of international events.
Established in 1993, the Canadian Junior Golf Association had a specific goal in mind - to give junior golfers in Canada an opportunity to develop their competitive skills.
The Canadian Junior Golf Association is a not-for-profit "registered Canadian amateur athletic association" (RCAAA) with Revenue Canada.
Since the CJGA's inception in 1993, the CJGA has improved the quality of competitive junior golf in Canada allowing many of its members to showcase their skills. College Coaches have recognized the talents of CJGA participants allowing them to further their growth through college golf scholarships.
CJGA Competitive Development Program
Level 1
The developmental stage of the CJGA program. Juniors between the ages of 5-13 are introduced to the basics of the game of golf, which include learning proper etiquette and competing in a friendly environment. The clinics serve as ideal tools for juniors hoping to build a solid foundation for their future golfing endeavours.
Level 2
After spending time in the Junior Linkster Program, juniors are presented with the opportunity to participate in multi-day events. The tournaments are more competitive and structured than those on the Junior Linkster series and run with a high level of professionalism.
Level 3
Juniors who have proven their talents through CJGA Junior Tour events are provided with the opportunity to test their skills in Regional and Provincial events, which take on an added degree of intensity and structure. There is an application policy as well as certain procedures that must be followed for those who wish to participate in these tournaments.
Level 4
These events are high profile, with media and sponsor representatives on hand to watch some of Canada's brightest junior golfing prospects. Applicants for these events are selected based on their performances in other CJGA Junior Tour events held earlier in the season. There is an added amount of pressure on juniors participating in national tournaments because of the status of the events. Both stroke and match play formats are offered in national tournaments conducted by the CJGA.
Level 5
CJGA Juniors are given the opportunity to qualify for prestigious international events through various qualifying tourneys that are conducted during the earlier months of the golfing season. Aspiring juniors who earn the chance to represent the CJGA in an international tournament will be able to test their skills against some of the premier junior golfing talent that the rest of the world has to offer and, in many cases, will receive mentoring support from Canada’s top touring professional golfers. The CJGA’s international selection committee selects teams for various international tournaments based on cumulative results. CJGA Team Canada members will learn the necessary attributes and gain the experiences needed to possibly move on to Canada’s national teams.
Level 6
The objective of the CJGA Competitive Development Program is to assist junior golfers in their efforts to earn a spot on a golf team at the university level either in Canada or the United States. Upon reaching LEVEL 6, juniors have developed many of the required skills, mental and physical, required in order to succeed in national amateur events. Derek Gillespie, James Lepp, and Chris Baryla are three of hundreds of CJGA alumni who have participated in CJGA programs and are currently enjoying success on the fairways and greens.
*Note: The CJGA acts as a feeder system to the top levels of Canadian amateur golf through its competitive development program.