2024 Application Information
106th Western Junior Championship
Ruth Lake Country Club, Hinsdale, Illinois
June 17-20, 2024
Entries Close 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, May 3, 2024.
ELIGIBILITY – The Championship is open to male amateur golfers who are at least 12 years old and have not reached their 19th birthday as of June 22, 2023. Entrant cannot be a member of a college golf team or have participated in any supervised team activities. All applicants must conform to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status and meet the requirements of the USGA Gender Policy. Entrants must have an official World Handicap System index not exceeding 3.0. Each entry must be approved by a parent or guardian. All entry forms are subject to approval or rejection by the Western Golf Association (WGA) at any time before or after the start of play. The reason for rejection may include conduct unbecoming of a participant (see CONDUCT CODE below).
FIELD – The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 contestants. The WGA shall determine the players who are exempt into the field in accordance with the exemption categories listed below. Eligible players who are not automatically exempt should submit a completed entry form, including a golf resume, with the application fee seeking a D-1 “Special Consideration Exemption” prior to the deadline date.
Entry Procedure
- All entries must be submitted online at thewesternjunior.com. Late, incomplete, or inaccurate entry forms will not be accepted. There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee for all applications.
- The application fee of $25 (credit card payment submitted online) must accompany each entry.
- All entries and application fees of $25 must be submitted online prior to 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, May 5, 2023. Only one entry may be filed per player.
- If an entrant who has paid the entire entry fee ($375) withdraws before 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 5, 2023, the entry fee will automatically be refunded. The $25 application fee will be deducted from all refunds. If an entrant withdraws for any reason after 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 5, 2023, no refunds will be given. If you cannot compete and do not officially withdraw priorto the tournament, you will be treated as a “no-show” and will be subject to exclusion from future WGA events.
- Upon acceptance into the tournament field, the balance of the entry fee ($350) - credit card payment submitted online - must be paid to confirm each applicant's acceptance into the event by 5 p.m. (CDT) June 5, 2023. Each applicant who is accepted into the field will be sent a link to make a payment on the remaining balance of $350.
TOURNAMENT ACCEPTANCE – Players qualifying for an exemption into the tournament in categories A, B, and C will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament after receipt of the application and application fee, provided there are spaces available. All players applying for a D-1 “Special Consideration Exemption” will be emailed notification of their status by 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 12, 2023.
FORMAT – The Western Junior Championship is a 72-hole stroke play competition. Following the conclusion of the second round, the field will be cut to the low 44 players and ties for the final two rounds. Those who make the cut will play 36 holes of individual stroke play on Thursday to determine a champion. Every effort will be made to finish each stipulated round as scheduled by Thursday. All rounds will be played at Midlothian Country Club.
Monday, June 19
6:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Registration (Midlothian Country Club clubhouse)
7:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Practice Rounds
6:00 P.M. Player Welcome Party (Midlothian Country Club clubhouse)
Tuesday, June 20 A.M. & P.M. First Round
Wednesday, June 21 A.M. & P.M. Second Round
(FIELD CUT TO LOW 44 & TIES)
Thursday, June 22 A.M. & P.M. Third & Fourth Rounds (36 holes)
REGISTRATION – All players must register with the WGA on Monday, June 19, from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CDT) in the Clubhouse at Midlothian Country Club. If you cannot register during this time, you must make prior arrangements by notifying the WGA tournament staff in advance by calling (847) 773-1899. Failure to register will result in your entry being withdrawn. Late registration, with prior approval, will be available at the Monday night cookout. WGA tournament staff must be notified in advance of your request for late registration.
PRACTICE – Midlothian Country Club will be available for practice Monday, June 19, for all participants. Approximately one month prior to the tournament, contestants will receive an email with step-by-step instructions to secure their practice round time online. Each player must personally register with the WGA prior to playing a practice round. Please Note: Midlothian Country Club’s golf course will be unavailable for additional practice rounds prior to Monday, June 19. Contestants will have access to the driving range, putting green, and short game area from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. starting Sunday, June 18. The golf course and practice facilities will not be available to contestants prior to Sunday.
PLAYER COOKOUT – The player cookout will be held on Monday, June 19. Contestants attend as guests of the WGA; parents, family members, and caddies may attend for a fee and will have the opportunity to purchasing tickets at player registration or at the check-in table the evening of Monday, June 19.
CADDIE POLICY – Midlothian Country Club caddies are available for the practice round and tournament play on a first-come, first-served basis. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any stage of the Championship and player family members and friends are permitted to caddie for contestants. If you would like to request a Midlothian Country Club caddie, please contact Nick Phillips at (708) 371-2626 or
CONDUCT CODE – The following actions by players or caddies will be considered violations of the Conduct Code: any abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the course or clubhouse, leaving the course during your competitive round without permission from a WGA official, any use of or association with drugs or alcohol, not adhering to the dress code during any portion of the tournament, any vandalism at a host hotel, and/or any other conduct not becoming of a Western Junior competitor. The penalties for Conduct Code violations, based on the severity of misconduct, may be any or all of the following: a warning, disqualification of the player from the tournament, suspension of the player indefinitely from future WGA events.
PLAYER DRESS CODE – Players and caddies may wear golf/Bermuda style shorts or pants during the practice round and all rounds of the championship. Collared shirts must be worn during all phases of the tournament. Players in violation of the dress code will not be permitted to start the competition. A violation of the dress code by a player during the stipulated round must be rectified without undue delay or the player will not be allowed to continue play. Proper dress code is always required while at the host facility, including in the clubhouse and at all practice facilities before and after play.
FOOTWEAR – It is a condition of the competition that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.
STARTING TIMES – Pairings and starting times for the first two rounds will be posted on the online player portal, 12 noon (CDT) on Sunday, June 18. Pairings can also be viewed at www.thewesternjunior.com. Pairings will not be available from WGA Headquarters in advance.
AWARDS – WGA maintains a permanent trophy in conjunction with the Western Junior Championship. The name of the champion will be engraved on the Milton Woodard Trophy. A Western Junior keeper trophy will be presented to the champion, with medals being presented to the top two finishers.
SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS – The top three finishers in the 2023 Western Junior Championship will be granted exemptions for the 2023 Western Amateur Championship provided there are spaces available. Otherwise, the exemptions will be valid for 2024.
RULES OF GOLF – The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and The R&A, as modified by local rules established by the WGA, govern play. The WGA tournament committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. Changes in tournament format caused by force majeure shall be within the sole discretion of the WGA officials. The decisions of the WGA tournament committee in any matter shall be final.
PACE OF PLAY – The Western Junior Championship uses a 4 Checkpoint System as an integral component for its Pace of Play Policy. Players are expected to complete each Round within a specified time allotment, including meeting each of the 4 checkpoint hole time requirements. Pace of play targets are printed on each players scorecard and the 4 checkpoint holes are identified on the teeing area of each checkpoint hole. Players failing to meet the WGA's Pace of Play Guidelines are subject to penalty per the policy. The WGA Pace of Play Policy is reviewed with each player at player registration. Players are expected to have read and understood the Pace of Play Policy prior to commencing tournament play.
HEADQUARTERS – All inquiries should be directed to the Western Golf Association. After 4:30 PM (CDT) on Wednesday, June 14, the WGA Tournament Office will be located in the Midlothian Country Club clubhouse. The Tournament Office phone number is (847) 773-1899.
TRAVEL TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS – Upon notice of tournament acceptance, participants should book flight reservations into Chicago Midway International Airport (Approx. 35 minutes from Midlothian Country Club) or Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Approx. 50 minutes from Midlothian Country Club). The host hotel is the Chicago Marriott Southwest Burr Ridge. 1200 Burr Ridge Pkwy. Burr Ridge, IL 60527. The special tournament rate is $155 + tax. Contestants are responsible for making their own hotel reservations and can do so by calling (630) 986-4100. Contestants can also use the online booking portals attached in the official acceptance email.
PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; BROADCASTING — By submitting this application, I understand that the WGA or its designees, may record, film, photograph, or otherwise capture my likeness, image, voice, biography, references to me, my quoted statements, and my play in the Championship (the foregoing, together with my name, my “Appearance”). In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Championship, by submitting this Application, I grant (and/or have the authority to grant to the WGA in the case of a parent/guardian of a minor or other authorized representative submitting the Application on my behalf) to the WGA, and its licensees, successors and assigns, the perpetual, transferable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable right to use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in all manner (including exhibition, distribution, reproduction, publication, display, broadcast, transmission or otherwise), and media now known or hereafter invented or discovered, and for any purpose whatsoever. The rights granted herein include, without limitation, the right to use the Appearance, or portions thereof, in promotion of the Championship and future championships through any of the foregoing means of distribution, as well as in the design, manufacture and distribution of merchandise related to the Championship or other championships, that include elements of my Appearance. The WGA is not obligated to use my Appearance in any matter, and materials embodying any aspect of my Appearance do not need be submitted to me for approval. I release and discharge the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims arising from use of my Appearance, including claims for misrepresentation of me, my character, or my person by any means. As between the WGA and me, the WGA shall own all right, title and interest, including the copyright(s), in and to any works created by the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns, that include all or a portion of my Appearance. This grant shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the successors and assigns of the WGA. I hereby waive all privacy, publicity, defamation, libel, and proprietary rights relating to the Appearance as used by the WGA in conjunction with these terms. Players are required to cooperate with representatives of the media; however, no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities which are part of the Championship will be required. Authorized representatives of the media will not interfere with the player’s Championship play in an unreasonable manner.
Exemption Categories
Players in category A, B, or C are automatically exempt into the starting field providing: (1) they also meet the eligibility requirements under the ELIGIBILITY section of this entry form, i.e., age, handicap index, and (2) there are spaces available.
Non-Exempt Players:
If a player is not exempt under any of the below exemption categories and is eligible, he should submit a completed entry form with application fee seeking a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption prior to the deadline date. D-1 candidates should attach a golf resume (maximum of one page) to their application. D-1 candidates are also encouraged to submit an exemption request letter to further their case for consideration to Steve Prioletti,
SPECIAL NOTE: The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 players. Those not originally accepted into the 156-man field may become alternates for exempt players who subsequently withdraw.
A. Exemptions based on WGA Championships:
A-1. Posted a 72-hole score in the Western Junior (2020 – 2022).
A-2. Posted a 72-hole score in the Western Amateur.
B. Exemptions based on National Junior Events:
B-1. Top 15 finish or round of 16 in match play (2022 or 2023) (Note: Applies only to the oldest age division): Simplify Boys Championship, Mayakoba Invitational, Team TaylorMade Invitational, Wyndham Invitational, Polo Golf Junior Classic, Jack Burke Jr Invitational, The Junior PLAYERS Championship, The Ping Invitational, Rolex Tournament of Champions, United States Golf Association Junior Amateur, Jr Golf World Cup, Junior PGA Championship, Junior Invitational.
B-2. Top 10 finish (2022 or 2023) (Note: Applies only to the oldest age division): Bobby Chapman Junior, Junior World, Junior Orange Bowl, Scott Robertson Memorial, Jones Cup Junior Invitational, and The Junior Heritage.
B-3. Champion (2022 or 2023) (Note: Applies only to the oldest age division): Bubba Conlee, Canadian Junior Championship, Doral Publix Junior, Hudson Junior, North-South Junior, Press Thronton Future Masters, Southern Junior, The Gator Invitational and any AJGA Open tournament between January 1 and May 5, 2023.
B-4. Member of the 2022 Rolex Junior All-American First or Second Teams.
B-5. Top 50 ranking in GOLFWEEK/SAGARIN Junior rankings at any point between January 1 and May 5, 2023.
B-6. Top 5 ranking in the class of 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026 of the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings at any point between January 1 and May 5, 2023.
B-7. Top 100 ranking in the overall Rolex AJGA Rankings or Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings at any point between January 1 and May 5, 2023.
C. Exemptions based on National and International Amateur Events:
C-1. Match Play qualifier in U. S. Amateur.
C-2. Match Play qualifier in U. S. Amateur Four Ball.
C-3. Top 30 finish in any of the following stroke play amateur events: Azalea, Dogwood, Jones Cup, Monroe, Northeast, Pacific Coast Amateur, Players, Porter Cup, Sahalee Players, South Beach International Amateur, Southern, Sunnehanna, or Trans-Miss.
C-4. Match Play qualifier in any of the following amateur events: British, North/South or PNGA Amateur.
D. Exemptions based on Special Considerations:
D-1. A limited number of exemptions, based on special considerations and/or written invitation, may be granted by the Committee. Requests for a special consideration exemption may be submitted to the Western Junior Committee by applying online. If you do not qualify under the exemptions listed in A, B, or C please apply for a D-1 “Special Consideration Exemption.”