Team Georgia took home the title Sunday in the PGA Junior League Golf Championship, with a 6 ½ to 5 ½ victory over Team California. Team Georgia was the only undefeated squad in the two-day Championship.
The team format of PGA Junior League Golf features nine-hole matches with points awarded based on number of holes won, with coaches able to alternate players every three holes, ensuring all team members play. Matches are coed, two-person scrambles, which reinforces the team concept and limits the pressure on any one player.
The six teams that qualified for the Championship were divided into an East Conference (Georgia, Virginia, Massachusetts) and West Conference (Texas, California, Indiana). Teams played two competitions within their conference Saturday to determine the winner of each conference.
After both teams went 2-0 in their respective conference competitions on Saturday, Team Georgia and defending champion Team California were ready for a memorable showdown. After falling just in the inaugural PGA Junior League Golf Championship last year, PGA Professional Chuck Scoggins, the Captain of Team Georgia, knew his team was ready to play for the Championship again.
“Our team wanted to be back in this position again, playing for a Championship,” said Scoggins. “We knew that Team California was going to be tough, and they were, but our team played so well together and I’m so proud of what they did here today.”
Davis Love III, the Honorary National Captain of PGA Junior League Golf who was on site for the Championship Sunday, was impressed with the overall play and a huge supporter of the team golf concept.
“PGA Junior League Golf offers an incredible opportunity for these youngsters to get involved in the game in a team format,” said Love, the 1997 PGA Champion and 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain. “They’re able to enjoy this great game alongside their friends and it’s an awesome way to introduce them to a game they can play for a lifetime.”