What is Northwest Jr Golf Tour?
Northwest Jr Golf Tour is a not-for-profit group committed to helping youth, regardless of economic or social background, reach their potential through the great game of golf! We are based out of Gig Harbor, Washington, and host tournaments throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Who is in charge?
Jeff & Suzanne Mehlert from Gig Harbor, WA.
Jeff is the director of golf & owner at McCormick Woods golf course in Port Orchard, WA.
Jeff is assisted by Adam Columbia, Bjorn Bjorke, Rick Garber, Jesse Bibee, Lauren Phillips, Chris Evans and other NWJrGT graduates.

Do you allow caddies and galleries?
Yes, we allow caddies, assuming they follow the caddy guidelines. There are no caddy age requirements, so you could have anyone from your best friend to your grandma caddy for you!

We encourage gallery, such as relatives and friends, to come out and support the players. You can bring your entire family to watch you compete in the tournament. In fact, we have seen groups as large as 20 following just a few players.

How are the tournaments divided up?
Divisions are made by gender and grade (not age).
Boys divisions are 4th-6th; 7th-8th; 9th-10th and 11th-12th.
Girls divisions are 4th-6th; 7th-9th & 10th-12th.
If a player has moved up in grades – they should compete in the grade division they would “normally” be in.

How many players play in a tournament?
We try to bring a strong field of players (120-150) and book on a day when juniors can get there (days off from school), plus a day that would be profitable to the golf course.

Do you have qualifying rounds or cuts?
No. We never have qualifying rounds or cuts. All of our tournaments are open to junior golfers of all ages and playing abilities. We encourage juniors to play the full 2 days (18 holes per day).

Do I compete in last year's grade level or next year's during the summer?
Players compete in their same grade level THROUGH THE SUMMER - their grade level goes up starting September 1. So, if I am in 8th grade right now, I will compete as an 8th grader until the September tournament, when I will then compete as a 9th grader.

Are handicapped players allowed to use a golf cart?
Yes – a medical note stating that you are physically unable to play a round without the use of a golf cart is the only “document requirement”.

What are the age requirements for playing?
We are open to boys and girls 4th-12th grade, but if you graduated this year, you are still eligible to play through the summer. We also host Mini-Tour events for K-6th graders.

Is membership in Northwest Jr Golf Tour required to play in the tournaments?
No special membership is required -- just sign up and play! There are no association costs.

Do I need to be a member of WJGA to play in your tournaments?
No. You do not need to be a member of WJGA, or any other organization to compete in our tournaments.

Can players from Canada and beyond play in your tournaments?
We’ve had players from 25 different US states, every province from Canada and as far away as Denmark and Korea.

Can a beginning junior golfer play?
Players must be able to score under 100 for 18 holes.
Players must have a basic understanding of golf rules and etiquette.
Players must be able to play 18 holes in less than 4 hours and 20 minutes.

What is appropriate golf attire for tournament play?
Please observe the dress code of collared shirt. Jeans are not allowed. We are a soft-spike ONLY organization. Metal spikes are prohibited. This applies to players, caddies, and gallery. If you have any questions about what is acceptable attire, please contact us.

How do the merchandise awards work?
We award merchandise awards to the top finishers in each grade division. You can accumulate an unlimited amount of merchandise award dollars playing on Northwest Jr Golf Tour. For more information on merchandise award redemption, click here.

How much merchandise award money do you award per tournament?
The amount varies depending on tournament sponsors and total field. When the player field is full (125+ players), total merchandise award is typically $3,000-$4,500.

We have awarded over $200,000 and rising every tournament. You can always raise this figure by making a tax-deductible donation to Northwest Jr Golf Tour.

Do the merchandise awards affect a player's amateur status?
No. The merchandise awards do not effect your amateur status, nor your high school or college eligibility because they are not awarded to you until after you graduate from high school. We have cleared all of this with all respective organizations (PNGA and USGA); they are in full support. As of 10/21/05, the merchandise award provisions through the Junior Golf Tour are in compliance with WIAA eligibility rules.

How do I redeem my merchandise award earnings?
1 - You must graduate from High school
2 - Finish a quarter or semester of higher education (trade school, community college, university, apprentice programs, etc..)
3 - You must receive at minimum 2.5 GPA (cumulative) for the higher education classes you've enrolled in.
4 - Send us your grades/ transcripts from your higher education courses (at the quarter/semester)
5 - Send this to Northwest Jr Golf Tour attn Board of Directors - 5155 McCormick Woods Dr. SW, Port Orchard, WA 98367 - Include a self addressed, postage paid envelope to the address you wish your check sent.
6 - Email us the golf items you wish to use your earnings on (include specific details - sizes, colors, lengths, flexes, etc..). Your order will be confirmed via email before it's processed (for accuracy). Prices on front line items (non "closeout" merchandise) are matched from TGW.com (the golf wharehouse). Prices on other items (golf balls, etc) are sold at the regular price stocked by McCormick Woods GC (some restrictions will apply - for instance, on PING equipment we have some strict regulations to which we need to closely adhere).
7 - Allow 30 days for us to process your info and send you your merchandise. If there is a balance remaining after any application for your merchandise, you must repeat these steps until your merchandise award account is exhausted. Click here for more information.

How do I register?
All tournament registration takes place from the Calendar page of our web site.
• On line at www.jrgt.com (through PayPal), or
• Over the phone at 360.895.0130.

What are the advantages of registering online?
(1) You know instantly when your registration has been received, (2) you can use your credit card, debit card, or eCheck, and (3) we e-mail you with information regarding your tee time and driving directions. Over 75% of each tournament's field completes registration online.

Is submitting payment online safe and secure?
Yes. We have our payments processed through PayPal, the official payment company of eBay™. PayPal is the world's largest Internet-based payment network, with a customer base of more than 12 million. All payments submitted through PayPal are 100% safe and secure. Your credit card information is never shared with anyone, and your privacy is always PayPal's most important priority. For more information, visit www.paypal.com.

What is your refund policy?
If a player requests a refund 4 days or more before the start of the event, we will provide the refund in the following form:

1. For registrations paid by check, the full entry fee can be refunded via check, or the fee can be credited to a future event (whichever the customer prefers).
2. For phone-in or mail-in registrations paid via credit card, the full entry fee can be credited to your credit card, or the fee can be credited to a future event (whichever the customer prefers).
3. For PayPal refunds requested within 30 days of registration: the full entry fee can be credited to your credit card, or credited to a future event (whichever the customer prefers).
4. For PayPal refunds requested 30 days or more after registration: the entry fee less a PayPal service fee can be refunded via check, or the fee can be credited to a future event.

Between 3 and 2 days before the start of the event - we will provide credit to a future event if a replacement player can be found.

Less than 48 hours before the start of the event, no credit or refunds can be provided.

If you need to request a refund, please email the following information to jeff@jrgt.com:
* player's name
* form of payment (PayPal, check, credit card over the phone)
* whether you wish a refund or a credit towards a future event
* phone # in case we need to talk.

Can my home course host a Northwest Jr Golf Tournament?
We are always looking for new courses to host Northwest Jr Golf Tour events. We are looking to expand Northwest Jr Golf Tour's region of courses, from Western Washington, to eastern and southern Washington, and even Oregon and Canada. Please contact Jeff Mehlert at 360.895.0130 or by e-mail for more information.