EMO District Junior Golf Tournament Sponsorship Information
Open to ages 10 – 18
This year the Optimist Club of St. Louis is sponsoring local Junior Golfers in the St. Louis and surrounding communities to complete at the EMO District Qualifying Tournament plus more!
About the international program:
One of the top premier Junior Golf Tournaments in the world. A unique opportunity for junior golfers from around the globe. The Optimist is unique from all tournaments. Junior golfers and family enjoy golf, parent-child tournament, off-course activities, meals and housing all on one property.
At the local level: Nationally there are than 50 qualifying tournaments, Optimist Clubs reach out into their own communities to involve children in the game of golf. Each year 5,000 junior golfers, ages 10-18, participate in Optimist sponsored events. The top 700 junior golfers advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship each summer.
The Optimist Club of St. Louis has been dedicated to serving the youth and community for more than 107 years. Our Club is committed to encouraging youth sports and supporting the Optimist International Junior Golf Program. As part of our efforts, we are now welcoming applications from local Junior Golfers for sponsorship this year for the EMO District Golf Tournament and more!
If your application is approved, the Optimist Club of St. Louis will cover your application fee for the East Missouri Junior Golf Tournament. The East Missouri District provides financial support for winners in the top age group for Boys and Girls, to attend the international championships. If either winners are sponsored by the Optimist Club of St. Louis, they will receive additional financial support for themselves and 1 attendee (must be a parent or legal guardian) to attend the Junior Golf Tournament.
How to apply
Application must be filled and submitted to the Optimist Club of St. Louis via email to be considered for sponsorship. Submit a completed application form to our email OPTIMISTMO@GMAIL.COM (Subject: 2024 EMO JUNIOR GOLF) no later than April 29th, 2024 If the application form/registration is done on the EMO website or submitted directly to the EMO district it will not be eligible for sponsorship by the Club.
There are several ways to qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Please read below for details.
HOW TO QUALIFY
In order to play in the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, golfers must meet one of the following qualifying methods.
District Qualifiers
By Location
By Date
Qualifying Criteria & Policies
Questions or comments about a District qualifier should be directed to the District Chairperson
Other Methods
Exemptions
International Designee
District Qualifying Tournaments
Optimist Districts in the US and Canada organize tournaments that serve as qualifying events for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Many Districts offer all boys and girls age divisions while some Districts will choose to only offer certain divisions based on demand and golf course availability. Golfers who live in an Optimist District can play in any District qualifier in order to attempt to advance for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships unless they qualify for an exemption (see below). If a golfer cannot play in his/her District tournament due to a conflict, he/she may travel to another District to attempt to qualify. A limited number of golfers in each age division will advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships through all District qualifiers.
If a golfer (in the Boys 10-11 & 12-13 and Girls 10-12 & 13-14 divisions only) lives in an Optimist District that does not offer a qualifier (or does not offer their age division), they may be eligible to submit an At Large application.
**For Boys and Girls Ages 16-18**
$1,000.00 Per Recipient
Awards will recognize five academic and two community service accomplishments.
Applications are being accepted.
All-Scholastic Academic Application
Community Service Involvement Application
Golfers between the ages of 16 and 18 as of the last day of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship (July 30, 2024). Junior golfers selected to the team will receive an automatic exemption into the championship,
complimentary registration which includes tournament entry, hotel accommodations and meals plus $1,000.00 scholarship. Those accepted must attend the championship to receive exemption and scholarship. The Scholarship will
be sent directly to the financial aid department of the recipient’s chosen University, College or Technical School.
Junior golfers who are interested in applying should read the steps below and submit the application(s).
Application Steps: Complete the application(s) as indicated
include a writing sample (250-500 words) on the topic indicated on application.
Attach supporting documentation. The following items are the only items that will be accepted: current school transcript, most-recent grade report, and test results.
Two letters of recommendation from adults other than family members.
Send the application by email to golf@optimist.org or fax: (314) 735-4107. Application must be received by April 1, 2024:
All applicants will be notified of their status in writing by May 1, 2024. Applicants must also show that they have acceptable tournament experience to be able to compete.
If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Parton, Junior Golf Senior Director, at golf@optimist.org, (314) 881-1307 or toll free (800) 500-8130, ext. 207.
Thank you for your interest in the Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team.
The Optimist Junior Golf Program relies heavily on the support of dedicated volunteers who are committed to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” If you are interested in becoming a part of our volunteer team, please contact Sharon Parton at 800-500-8130 ext. 207 or golf@optimist.org.
Become a Member
Do you want to get more involved in your community? As an Optimist Member, you will be welcomed into a Club of individual citizens who share a desire to “Bring Out the Best in Kids.” We organize and participate in hands-on, interactive projects for kids. These projects range from Oratorical Contests to Youth Appreciation activities. As an Optimist Member, not only will you be connected to your local community, you’ll also boast affiliation with about 55,000 Optimists around the world.
Visitors interested in learning more about Optimist Clubs in their area can visit the Contact Us page of the website. There you can request information about local Optimist Clubs, and you will receive a response from an Optimist volunteer in your area.
To learn more about membership, see the Membership Brochure. To go to the directory and find a Club near you, please click here.
Optimist International Youth Programs Giving Services to Qualified Organizations
Optimist International Youth Foundation, Inc. (the “ Youth Foundation”) is recognized by the International Revenue Service as an educational organization that is exempt from Federal income taxation.
A $100 US contribution to the Optimist International Youth Programs Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation provides educational, cultural, literacy, recreational and social benefits to youth through the sponsorship of activities and programs which foster the development of good character, sportmanship, education and cultural development. We invite you to support junior golf and help up continue to provide meaningful golfing opportunities for our junior golfers. Donate Now