2024 Application Information
106th Western Junior Championship
Ruth Lake Country Club, Hinsdale, Illinois
June 17 – 20, 2024
ENTRIES OPEN – Thursday, February 1, 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 20, 2024. Entrants cannot be a member of a college golf team or have participated in any supervised team activities. All entrants 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. Entries for a player who is a minor, must be approved by a parent or guardian. All entries 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 CODE OF CONDUCT 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 list of exemption categories. 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 & Withdrawal Procedures
- All entries must be submitted online at www.thewesternjunior.com. Late, incomplete, or inaccurate entry forms will not be accepted.
- There is a nonrefundable $25 application fee for all applications.
- All entries and application fees of $25 must be submitted online prior to 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, May 3, 2024. Only one entry may be filed per player.
- If an entrant who has paid the full entry fee ($375) withdraws before 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 3, 2024, the full entry fee will be refunded, less the $25 application fee.
- If an entrant withdraws for any reason after 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 3, 2024, but before 5 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, June 3, 2024, 50% of the entry fee ($175) will be refunded.
- No refunds will be made for withdrawals after Monday, June 3, 2024.
- If you cannot compete and do not officially withdraw prior to the tournament, you will be treated as a “no-show” and will be subject to exclusion from future WGA events. Entrants should contact Steve Prioletti,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (224) 260-3738, to formally withdraw from the event. - Upon acceptance into the tournament field, the balance of the entry fee ($350 - credit card payment submitted online) must be paid by June 3, 2024, to confirm each applicant's acceptance into the event. 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 who qualify 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 online 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 10, 2024.
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 Ruth Lake Country Club.
Sunday, June 16
P.M. Shotgun – Contestant-Amateur Event (Ruth Lake Country Club)
Monday, June 17
6:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M – Player Registration (Ruth Lake Country Club Clubhouse)
7:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. – Practice Rounds
6:00 P.M. – Player Welcome Party (Ruth Lake Country Club Clubhouse)
Tuesday, June 18
A.M. & P.M. – First Round Stroke Play
Wednesday, June 19
A.M. & P.M. – Second Round Stroke Play
(field cut to the low 44 players & ties)
Thursday, June 20
A.M. – Third Round Stroke Play
P.M. – Final Round Stroke Play
SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS – The Champion of the 2024 Western Junior Championship will receive a three-year exemption into the Western Amateur Championship. The top three players and ties will receive exemptions into the 2024 Western Amateur Championship.
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.
REGISTRATION – All players must register with the WGA on Monday, June 17. Player Registration will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CDT) and will be located in the Ruth Lake Country Club clubhouse. If you cannot register during this time, you must make prior arrangements by notifying the WGA tournament staff in advance by calling (224) 260-3738. Failure to register will result in your entry being withdrawn. Late registration, with prior approval, will be available on Monday afternoon. WGA tournament staff must be notified in advance of your request for late registration.
PRACTICE – Ruth Lake Country Club will be available for practice on Monday, June 17, 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 through the Golfgenius portal. Each player must personally register with the WGA prior to playing a practice round. Please Note: Ruth Lake Country Club’s golf course will be unavailable for additional practice rounds prior to June 17. Contestants will have access to the driving range, putting green, and short game area from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. starting Sunday, June 16. The practice facilities will not be available to contestants prior to Sunday. Ruth Lake Country Club will be hosting a limited field, Contestant-Amateur event on Sunday, June 16. Additional information and invitations to participate in this event will be sent out separately roughly one month prior to the event.
PLAYER WELCOME PARTY – The player welcome party will be held on Monday, June 17. Contestants attend as guests of the WGA; parents, family members, and caddies may attend for a fee and will have the opportunity to purchase tickets at player registration or at the check-in table the evening of Monday, June 17. Contestants are strongly encouraged to attend.
CADDIE POLICY – Ruth Lake 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. Players’ family members and friends are permitted to caddie for contestants. If you would like to request a Ruth Lake Country Club caddie, please text, or email Tim Barry, (630) 809-4881 or
TRAVEL TRANSPORTATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS – Upon notice of tournament acceptance, participants should book flight reservations into Chicago O’Hare International Airport (Approx. 25 minutes from Ruth Lake Country Club) or Chicago Midway International Airport (Approx. 35 minutes from Ruth Lake 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 $162 + 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.
HEADQUARTERS – All inquiries should be directed to Steve Prioletti, Director of Amateur Competitions of the Western Golf Association, 2501 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026, (224) 260-3738,
CODE OF CONDUCT – The following actions by players or caddies will be considered violations of the Code of Conduct: 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 Code of Conduct 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 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 Golfgenius portal by 12 noon (CDT) on Sunday, June 16. Pairings can also be viewed at www.thewesternjunior.com. Pairings will not be available from WGA Headquarters in advance.
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.
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 rights, 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.
2024 Exemption Categories
EXEMPT PLAYERS – Players in category A, B, or C are automatically exempt into the starting field providing: (1) they also meet the eligibility requirements posted in the application information ELIGIBILITY section, 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 and application fee seeking a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption prior to the application deadline. D-1 Special Consideration Exemption candidates should also attach a golf resume (maximum of one page) to their application. All players who are awarded D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions will be emailed notification of their acceptance into the starting field by May 10, 2024.
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:
Western Junior:
A-1. Champions (2019–2023).
A-2. Posted a 72-hole score (2023).
Western Amateur:
A-3. Posted a 72-hole score.
B. Exemptions based on ranking systems, teams, & national junior events:
B-1. Any player ranked in the top 100 in the Rolex AJGA or Junior Golf Scoreboard overall rankings between time of entry and May 3, 2024.
B-2. Any player ranked in the top 5 in the class of 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027 in the Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings between April 29 and May 3, 2024.
B-3. Any player ranked in the top 50 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Junior overall rankings between time of entry and May 3, 2024.
B-4. Rolex Junior All-American First and Second Team members (2023).
B-5. Top 10 finish or round of 16 qualifiers in any AJGA Invitational, U.S. Junior Amateur, Jr Golf World Cup, Junior PGA Championship, and the Junior Invitational (2023-2024). (*Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.)
B-6. Top 5 finish in the Bobby Chapman Junior, Jones Cup Junior Invitational, Junior Orange Bowl, Junior World, North-South Junior, Scott Robertson Memorial, Southern Junior, and The Junior Heritage (2023-2024). (*Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.)
B-7. Winners of the Bubba Conlee, Canadian Junior Championship, Doral Junior Classic, Hudson Junior, Press Thornton Future Masters, and The Gator Invitational (2023-2024). (*Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.)
B-8. Winners of any AJGA Open tournament between January 1 and May 3, 2024. (*Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.)
C. Exemptions based on national and international amateur events:
C-1. Match Play qualifier in U.S. Amateur (2023).
C-2. Top 20 finish in the Azalea Invitational, Dogwood Invitational, Jones Cup Invitational, Monroe Invitational, Northeast Amateur, Pacific Coast Amateur, South Beach International Amateur, Southern Amateur, Sunnehanna Amateur, and Trans-Miss Amateur (2023).
C-3. Match Play qualifier in The Amateur, North & South Amateur, or PNGA Amateur (2023).
D. Exemptions based on special considerations or invitations:
D-1. A limited number of D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions and/or written invitations may be granted by the Committee. If you do not qualify under the exemption categories listed in A, B, or C, please apply for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption online.