By Preston Gilmore, TGA Championships Communications Manager
For 100 years, the Texas Junior Amateur has served as a proving ground for the state’s most promising young golfers, shaping careers and creating memories that last far beyond the final putt. What began as a small competitive opportunity has grown into one of the most respected junior championships in Texas, with a legacy built on tradition, excellence, and opportunity.
Reaching the centennial edition is more than a milestone – it’s a reflection of the tournament’s lasting influence on junior golf in the Lone Star State. Generations of players have tested themselves under pressure, learned the values of competition and sportsmanship, and taken the next steps toward collegiate and professional success through the Texas Junior Amateur.
As the championship prepares to celebrate its 100th playing, the moment is marked not only by its rich history, but by a continued commitment to investing in the future of the game. That shared dedication to junior golf and player development sets the stage for a meaningful partnership as the Texas Junior Amateur enters its next century.
Edwin Watts Golf Shops has committed to a second consecutive year as sponsor of the largest junior amateur championship in the state of Texas.
Lee Smith, of Edwin Watts Golf Shops, said, “Edwin Watts Golf is excited to be the presenting sponsor of the 100th Texas Junior Amateur Championship. Sponsoring this championship is particularly rewarding to us because so many of our employees grew up playing competitive junior golf.
“Edwin Watts Golf has a tremendous passion for junior golf and the great opportunities it gives junior players that love the game.
“We relish our partnership with the Texas Golf Association and the opportunity to help grow the game and the junior golf experience. Edwin Watts Golf looks forward to a long relationship with the Texas Golf Association to promote junior golf throughout the Lone Star State.”
Founded in 1968, Edwin Watts Golf Shops operates nearly 100 stores across 25 states, including five locations in Texas. The company is an authorized dealer for all major golf brands, offering industry-leading service, custom club fitting, and its exclusive 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, which have helped establish Edwin Watts Golf as a leader in golf retail.
In addition to serving as the presenting sponsor, Edwin Watts Golf Shops will also sponsor the live coverage of the final nine holes of the championship round through Championship Golf Network. The Edwin Watts Golf Shops Presents the Live Broadcast of the 100th Texas Junior Amateur marks the second year of event streaming and represents a milestone for the Legends Junior Tour as it continues to enhance the championship experience for players and fans alike.
Over nearly a century of competition, the Texas Junior Amateur presented by Edwin Watts Golf has produced numerous champions who went on to successful professional careers. Past winners include former world No. 1 and three-time major champion Jordan Spieth; two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw (1967, 1969); 13-time PGA Tour winner Bruce Lietzke (1968); five-time PGA Tour winner Scott Verplank (1981); and LPGA Tour major champion Angela Stanford (1996).
This year’s champions will not only add their names to an elite list of past winners but will do so at one of the most recognized golf courses in Texas.
Stonebriar Country Club, an Invited Club property, holds a unique place in North Texas golf as the first – and still the only – private country club in Frisco, located just north of Dallas. What began in 1988 as a neighborhood country club with a single golf course has since evolved into one of the area’s premier golf destinations.
The club’s growth took a significant step forward in 2000 with the addition of a second 18-hole course designed by world-renowned architect Tom Fazio. Unveiled in the fall of that year, the Fazio Course is a showcase of modern golf architecture, thoughtfully crafted to blend seamlessly with the natural Texas landscape. Featuring dramatic elevation changes, pristine fairways, and artfully positioned hazards, the course strikes an exceptional balance between challenge and playability, delivering a memorable experience for golfers of all skill levels.
The original Dye Course, designed by acclaimed architects Joe Finger and Ken Dye, remains the cornerstone of Stonebriar’s legacy. Opened in 1988, the par-72 championship layout established the club’s reputation in Frisco and continues to reflect Dye’s distinctive design philosophy. Rolling fairways, pristine greens, and natural water features combine to create a course that is both strategically demanding and visually stunning, ensuring its place as a favorite among members and guests alike.
As the Legends Junior Tour continues to showcase the top junior golfers in Texas and surrounding areas, that recognition has not gone unnoticed. The centennial edition of the Texas Junior Amateur marks the third consecutive year the championship has been designated as an official USGA Exemption Event.
The champion in the Boys 15-18 Division will earn an exemption into the 78th U.S. Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., while the Girls 15-18 Division champion will receive an exemption into the 77th U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C.
Scheduled for June 29 - July 1, the 100th Texas Junior Amateur presented by Edwin Watts Golf is an individual stroke play competition and will feature a 240-player starting field comprised of four age divisions: Boys 15-18 (120 players), Girls 15-18 (60), Boys 14 & Under (45), and Girls 14 & Under (15).
The Boys 15-18 Division will be contested over the Dye Course, while the Girls 15-18 Division and the Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions will compete on the Fazio Course. The Boys and Girls 15-18 Divisions will play 54 holes. At the conclusion of 36 holes, the Boys 15-18 Division will be cut to the low 45 players (and ties) and the Girls 15-18 Division will be cut to the low 27 players (and ties). The Boys and Girls 14 & Under Divisions will play 36 holes.
For more on the 100th Texas Junior Amateur presented by Edwin Watts Golf, click here.
