The Tournament Committee is proud to announce that the 22nd Northern Junior Championship presented by the Golf Performance Academy will be contested August 5th – 7th, 2024 at The Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Connecticut. The 36-hole international championship is open to amateur Boys and Girls who have not reached their 19th birthday.
Widely regarded as one of the top private clubs in New England, The Hartford Golf Club was founded in 1896 and features 27-holes that represent a combination of Donald Ross and Devereux Emmet design. An extensive golf course renovation in 2017 included a complete bunker renovation and restoration of green complexes to their original dimensions. The red course will be used for the championship proper, and will play to a par of 35-36–71.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the Northern Junior Championship to such an iconic venue,” said Cody Paladino, Tournament Director. “Since its inception, Hartford Golf Club has hosted some of the most prestigious championships in the country, and we look forward to adding to that legacy. We are looking forward to making this year’s championship a truly special one for the players and their families.”
The 22nd Northern Junior will mark the first time the championship has been held at The Hartford Golf Club, which will add to the club’s extensive history of hosting state and national championships. Most notably, the club has previously hosted a pair of USGA championships – the 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, won by Lexi Thompson, and the 1996 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, won by John Miller. The club has also hosted ten Connecticut Amateur Championships, four Connecticut Open Championships and three New England Amateur Championships.
“On behalf of the members and staff of Hartford Golf Club, it is an honor to be hosting the 22nd Northern Junior Championship”, said Richard Bray, Head Golf Professional. “We are delighted to welcome a great international field of juniors to enjoy the Hartford Golf Club during the event and showcase our club to all involved.”
Last year’s Northern Junior Championship featured its strongest field in tournament history, with players from twenty-nine different states and countries vying for the title. Top ranked junior golfers Rebecca Wang of Beijing China and Alex Elia of Wilton, Connecticut captured the title in their respective divisions. While Elia is no longer age-eligible, Wang will look to become the first two-time winner in the Girls Championship.
The Northern Junior Championship is a nationally ranked junior golf tournament that was created in order to provide top national and international junior players a chance to compete and also enjoy an entirely unique experience. The 36-hole stroke play event is open to amateur boys and girls under the age of 19. The goal of the event is to provide the same championship treatment offered at the premier amateur, collegiate, and professional events around the world, while also providing junior golfers with exposure to college golf coaches and national media.
In addition to national exposure to college coaches across the country, both the Boys and Girls Champion receive numerous national tournament invitations and exemptions, and past champions and alumni have gone on to play on both the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. 2012 Champion Megan Khang captured her first LPGA title this past August, winning the CPKC Women’s Open, and three-time Champion Ben James was a member of the victorious 2023 USA Walker Cup team. The Northern Junior was also recently recognized by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) with an increased Performance Based Entry status.
The tournament is conducted each year in memory of Stan Trojanowski, father of Cindy Paladino. A golfer himself, his personality and willingness to help others will never be forgotten in the people he met both on and off the golf course. The Northern Junior was established in 2002 in memory of his passing on August 21st, 2001.
The Golf Performance Academy
he Golf Performance Academy is a full-time golf boarding school in Ridgefield, Connecticut, for student-athletes grades 7-12 and postgraduates who aspire to play collegiate and professional golf. Daily golf coaching with an expert coaching staff whose mission is to foster high moral character in student-athletes through a deep commitment to the game of golf and a keen academic focus. For student-athletes on the path to play golf in college, there’s no better environment to prepare them for their journey. From golf coaches to educators, our students are guided by top industry professionals to achieve their highest potential. Physical performance training, nutrition counseling and regular meetings with a sports psychologist round out our holistic approach to preparing our student-athletes for the next level.
Championship Schedule
Friday, March 1st
Tournament and Qualifier Applications Released
Sunday, July 7th
Tournament Application Deadline
Open Qualifiers
Sunday, June 9 at Wintonbury Hills GC (Bloomfield, Conn.)
Monday, July 15 at Triggs Memorial GC (Providence, R.I.)
Monday, August 5th
Official Practice Rounds
Players Welcome Reception and Ryan Lee Scholarship Presentation
Tuesday, August 6th
First Round of Stroke Play
Wednesday, August 7th
Final Round of Stroke Play
Awards Ceremony and Trophy Presentation
