Fairbanks’ Alex Crowe drives the ball during a 2020 Heart of Ohio Junior Golf event. The organization’s 35th season will begin in June. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The Heart of Ohio Junior Golf Association (HOJGA) is celebrating its 35th season of serving area youth age 9-18 within seven Central Ohio counties of Marion, Crawford, Delaware, Hardin, Morrow, Union and Wyandot.
The non-profit, all-volunteer Association was begun in 1987 to educate juniors through a golf camp, seminar, seven-tournament tour and with awards and scholarships toward a college education.
The event is held during the months of June and July.
All HOJGA events will be held with distancing procedures, stipulations and restrictions at the golf courses for safety due to the coronavirus.
One of the early events of the 2021 season is the camp, which is scheduled for Thursday, June 3.
The camp is held for beginners and youth wanting to brush up on the fundamentals of the golf swing. Rules and etiquette on the golf course will be discussed.
The camp will be held at Determined Brilliance Driving Range, formerly Miracle Driving Range, Marion from 8 a.m.-noon.
Campers will receive instruction by professional Steve Grimes, logo bag tag, towel, booklet handout and lunch.
Clubs for Kids are available for juniors needing golf clubs.
HOJGA will offer a seven-tournament tour.
The schedule is as follows:
-June 8: Lincoln Hills, Upper Sandusky;
-June 14: Golf Club of Bucyrus;
-June 23: Marysville G.C.;
-July 1:Memorial Park, Kenton;
-July 8: Green Acres, Marion;
-July 15: Kings Mill, Waldo;
-July 19: Valley View, Galion.
The HOJGA Chad A. Wheeler “Best of Best” playoff event for the season’s tournament winners and runnersup is slated for Tuesday, July 27 at Lincoln Hills.
Juniors are placed in one of three divisions: 12 and under, 13-15 and 16-18. Ages as of Sept. 1, 2021 determine which division each junior will play.
The 13-15 and 16-18 divisions vie for tournament points ,which bring eligibility to win scholarships.
The HOJGA Scholarship program for 2021 will include the David J. Wensinger player of the year $2,000; Ross Carley Memorial player of the year, first runner-up $1,700; Wensinger Family second runner-up player of the year $500; HOJGA third runner-up player of year $500; HOJGA three-year accumulative Point $750, NUCOR Steel Most Improved Golfer $500, Knights Of Columbus sportsmanship $500; the Marion County Youth Foundation merit $1.000; Charles W. Emans Memorial Patriot $500; HOJGA Ladies Classic $1,000; and the HOJGA 13-15 player of the year $750 scholarship.
Additional information and entry forms for juniors are on website www.hojga.org or by calling 740-389-6207.
Those wishing to sponsor a scholarship, tournament or contribute as a patron may do so by sending information to HOJGA, P.O. Box 821, Marion, Ohio 43301-0821.