Pacific Northwest Junior Golf Programs Guide

The Pacific Northwest has a junior golf ecosystem that most families don't fully know exists. Between Washington and Oregon, there are state associations running full competitive schedules, multiple First Tee chapters, a strong network of municipal courses with junior programming, and pathways that connect local play all the way to national competition.

This guide covers the full landscape — from first-time beginner programs through competitive junior development — specifically for families in Washington and Oregon.

Washington State

Washington Junior Golf Association (WJGA)

The WJGA is the primary competitive organization for serious junior golfers in Washington. They run a full schedule of stroke play events throughout the state from spring through fall, organized by age division. Events range from local one-day competitions through the Washington State Junior Amateur Championship, which is the premier individual title for junior golfers in the state.

For juniors who are ready to move beyond recreational play and begin building a competitive record, WJGA events are the right home base. The schedule covers courses throughout the state including the greater Seattle area, eastern Washington, and the South Sound region.

More information and the full event schedule are available at wsga.org (Washington State Golf Association, which administers junior golf in the state).

First Tee Chapters in Washington

Washington has multiple First Tee chapters serving different regions of the state:

• First Tee of Greater Seattle — serves the greater Seattle metro area with programs at multiple locations including Jefferson Golf Course and West Seattle Golf Course. Programs run year-round.
• First Tee of Inland Northwest — serves the Spokane region and surrounding eastern Washington communities.
• First Tee of Tacoma — serves Pierce County and the South Sound region.
• First Tee of Snohomish County — serves Snohomish County and surrounding communities north of Seattle.

Find the chapter nearest you and current program schedules at thefirsttee.org.

PGA Jr. League in Washington

PGA Jr. League teams operate throughout Washington with concentrations in the greater Seattle area, the Eastside, and the South Sound region. The team-based format makes this an excellent entry point for kids who are ready for some structured competition but prefer the lower-pressure environment of team play over individual stroke play.

Find teams forming in your area at pgajrleague.com. Teams typically form in spring for the summer season.

Notable Public Courses with Junior Programming in Washington

Several public courses in Washington have invested meaningfully in junior golf:

• Jefferson Golf Course (Seattle) — long-standing junior program and First Tee affiliate. One of the most accessible junior golf facilities in the city.
• West Seattle Golf Course — active junior programming and junior rates.
• Meadow Park Golf Course (Tacoma) — municipal course with junior programming and accessible green fees.
• Tumwater Valley Golf Club (Olympia) — South Sound junior programming and reasonable junior rates.

For courses in other areas of Washington, call the nearest municipal course directly and ask about junior programs and junior rates. Most public courses offer junior pricing and many have informal programming that isn't prominently advertised.

Oregon

Oregon Junior Golf Association (OJGA)

The OJGA runs Oregon's competitive junior golf calendar, including stroke play events, match play events, and the Oregon Junior Amateur — the state's premier junior individual title. Their schedule covers courses throughout the Willamette Valley, Portland metro area, southern Oregon, and the coast.

The OJGA is affiliated with the Oregon Golf Association. Full event schedule and registration information is available at oga.org.

First Tee Chapters in Oregon

• First Tee of Oregon — the largest chapter, serving the Portland metro area with programs at multiple locations including Eastmoreland Golf Course and Red Tail Golf Center.
• First Tee of Southern Oregon — serves the Medford, Ashland, and southern Oregon region.
• First Tee of the Columbia River — serves the Columbia Gorge region on both the Oregon and Washington sides.

PGA Jr. League in Oregon

Oregon has active PGA Jr. League participation particularly in the Portland metro area and the Willamette Valley. As in Washington, teams typically form in spring for a summer season. Find teams at pgajrleague.com.

Notable Public Courses with Junior Programming in Oregon

• Eastmoreland Golf Course (Portland) — historic public course and First Tee of Oregon affiliate with strong junior programming.
• Red Tail Golf Center (Portland) — driving range and par-3 course with active junior programming, one of the most beginner-friendly facilities in the Portland area.
• Heron Lakes Golf Course (Portland) — municipal course with junior rates and programming.
• Trysting Tree Golf Club (Corvallis) — university-affiliated public course with junior programming in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Regional and National Programs Accessible from the PNW

Drive, Chip & Putt

Local qualifying events for Drive, Chip & Putt are held at courses across Washington and Oregon each spring. This is one of the most accessible competitive experiences available for beginners — it's a skills competition (not full stroke play), it's free to enter, and the format works for kids at nearly any skill level. Find local qualifiers at drivechipandputt.com.

US Kids Golf Pacific Northwest Events

US Kids Golf runs local tour events in the Pacific Northwest with events at courses throughout the region. These events are well-organized, age-appropriate, and specifically designed as a developmental competition environment. Check the US Kids Golf event schedule at uskidsgolf.com for PNW events.

AJGA Events in the Pacific Northwest

The AJGA runs events in the Pacific Northwest during the summer season, including events at some of the region's top courses. These events draw competitive juniors from throughout the western US and are appropriate for accomplished juniors who have established themselves at the state level. Check the AJGA schedule at ajga.org.

Playing Through the PNW Winter

One of the realities of Pacific Northwest junior golf is that the competitive season is concentrated in spring and summer, but the weather — while imperfect — allows for year-round play at many facilities. This is actually an advantage for development: kids who play through the fall and winter build ball-striking consistency that fair-weather players don't develop.

Several things make PNW winter golf manageable for juniors:

• Indoor hitting facilities and simulators at golf centers throughout the region allow for practice regardless of weather
• Many municipal courses remain open through winter with reduced rates
• Short game practice — putting and chipping — can continue through most of the PNW winter at courses that keep practice areas maintained

Embrace the rain. The juniors who play through the Pacific Northwest winter are building something that showing up only in the sun can't replicate.

Junior Golf Clinics at S.L. Kyles Golf

If you're in the Pacific Northwest and looking for structured junior instruction, our junior golf clinics serve players ages 6–18 at multiple skill levels. Small group sizes keep instruction focused, and our programs are designed to prepare juniors for exactly the competitive opportunities described in this guide — from beginner league play through state-level competition.

View current clinic schedules and availability or contact us with questions about what program is the right fit for your junior golfer.

Building a Junior Golf Community in the PNW

One of the best things about junior golf in the Pacific Northwest is the community. The junior golf world here is small enough that families get to know each other across multiple seasons and events, and the culture at most PNW junior events is genuinely supportive — competitive without being cutthroat.

Connect with other golf families at First Tee programs, PGA Jr. League events, and state association tournaments. Those connections — both for your child and for you as a golf parent — often become as valuable as the golf itself.

The Pacific Northwest junior golf community is welcoming to newcomers at every skill level. There's a right entry point for every kid, and the ecosystem here supports development from first swing through college preparation better than most families realize when they're starting out.