Trump National to Host 2009 U.S. Junior And U.S. Girls' Junior Championships

Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., has been selected by the United States Golf Association to host the 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls' Junior Championships. The dates of the championships are July 20-25. This will be the third time the two events have been hosted concurrently at the same club.

The original Trump National course opened for play in 2004. Designed by Tom Fazio, the layout winds across more than 500 acres of rolling farmland and horse pastures, with plenty of water hazards and demanding green complexes to negotiate. There are options with varied avenues for approach shots on almost every hole. Scenic wetlands and restored farm buildings dot the landscape.

The second course, designed by Tommy Fazio, nephew of Tom Fazio, and now under construction by his company, Tom Fazio II, will open for play in spring 2008.

"The USGA has given our club a tremendous honor by selecting Trump National Bedminster to host these two prestigious championships and we are committed to conducting the best Junior Championships ever staged," said Donald Trump, chairman and CEO of the Trump Organization.

Fittingly, Trump National is dedicated to developing a top junior golf program for ages 5 to 17. The club offers weekly clinics and four-day sessions offered each June and July. "Junior golf is the cornerstone of our club here at Bedminster," said Ashley Cooper, president of Trump National. "We are extremely proud to be associated with the USGA. Hosting two of its national championships is not only a crowning achievement for our club but for the Trump organization as a whole."

The USGA announcement has drawn the attention of Bob Holtaway, mayor of Bedminster Township, a small town located in the picturesque central portion of the state. "This is an exciting opportunity for Bedminster to be on golf's national stage," he said. "We look forward to welcoming the best junior golfers and the USGA staff to our town."

The junior championships are the USGA's fastest-growing events, with more than 3,100 entries for the Junior in 2005. They are generally considered two of the toughest USGA national championships to win because of the age cap of 17.

Tiger Woods has repeatedly said that winning three Junior Amateur titles (1991-93) was the most difficult of all his accomplishments in golf. Other winners include Johnny Miller (1964); Gary Koch (1970); David Duval (1989) and defending champion Kevin Tway (2005), son of professional golfer Bob Tway.

Notable winners of the Girls' Junior are Hollis Stacy, who won it three times (1969-71), Amy Alcott (1973), and Nancy Lopez (1972 and 1974). More recent winners include Michelle McGann (1987), Brandie Burton (1989) and Aree (Wongluekiet) Song (1999).

Prior to 2009, the U.S. Junior Amateur will be played from July 17-22, 2006, at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.) Golf Club; from July 23-28, 2007, at Boone Valley Golf Club in Augusta, Mo.; and from July 21-26, 2008, at Shoal Creek in Birmingham, Ala.

Prior to 2009, the Girls' Junior will be played from July 17-22, 2006, at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, N.C.; and from July 23-28, 2007, at Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The 2008 Girls' Junior site has not yet been named.

The junior championships, open to amateur golfers 17 years of age and younger with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 6.4 for boys and 18.4 for girls, are two of the 13 national championships conducted by the Association, 10 of which are solely for amateurs.