Nike Winternational Junior Series
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I want to briefly talk about The Nike Winternational Junior Series.
This is a great junior tour that is open to players (both male and female) who are currently in high school. I had a chance to play in it from 1997 - 1999. Typically I would play 2 tournaments each year, so I had roughly 6 experiences down in Pinehurst, NC.
My most recent visit was with my cousin who plays golf for Milan High School in Indiana. I got to follow him around while in Pinehurst and took some photos of the course and area.
It is just as good as I remember.
We got to play Pinehurst #4 in which it was under construction when I last was at Pinehurst, which was 1999.
Its a great way to get a player (possibly your son or daughter) into competition at the high school level and give them the chance to play championship golf courses. One of the tournaments, you get to play 9 holes on Pinehurst #2. Granted, this rule is in effect because its a U.S. Open year. Next year, I am sure a full 18 will be played on Pinehurst #2.
Typically, you get there on Thursday night, so you make sure you are allowed to get school off. Then you play a practice round on friday as well as use their incredible golf facilities (which includes a championship range, a huge putting green, and a great chipping and sand facility.
On Friday night, you register for the tournament as well as listen to an appointed speaker. Sometimes this is a college golf coach, sometimes its a director of a specific golf tournament.
In the case in early March, we got to listen to one of the main managers of the U.S. Open. He explained some incredible facts and history regarding what is involved with preparing a U.S. Open golf course for tournament play. Did you know that in 2004, the U.S. Open went through over 400,000 lbs of ice. Incredible.
You stay at the Pinehurst Resort and Hotel and its definitly a great experience. You have access every morning to their great breakfast buffet. Imagine whatever you want for breakfast and they have it. Its really good.
So after a hearty breakfast, you are off to the course you are playing and prepare for your tee time.
You play 18 holes on saturday. Then you get re-paired and play another 18 on sunday.
The Nike Winternational Junior Series has a ranking system and points system, so if you play in multiple events, you actually have the chance to become player of the year.
Its a great experience and definitly an opportunity for your son or daughter, or you yourself (assuming you are in HS) to get a solid competitive golf experience, playing championship golf courses, and getting that running start many players don’t get to when heading into the spring season.
For me, I live in Indiana, so getting a chance to play golf in February is definitly an advantage when your high school playing competitors are inside by the fire with snow on the ground.
So please, visit the Nike Winternational Junior Series website or begin by downloading their application.
Its a worthwhile experience. Take advantage of it.
Posted in: Junior Events









5 Comments to “Nike Winternational Junior Series”
#1
Josh Young
March 25th, 2005
As a recent alumni member of the Nike Winternational Series I can say that this is a great junior golf venue for aspiring amatuer golfers who want to be recognized for thier good play. I would recommend this series for players of all levels. I had the privilage to play in 5 events this summer. And had 2 top 10, 2 top 5, and 1 win on this tour this year and was inducted into the all-american team. And I know Bryan because I played with him in a practice round on course #4 at Pinehurst. So look into these tournaments and I would really recommend them to anyone.
#2
Bryan
March 25th, 2005
Hey Josh,
Whats happening. Glad you made it to the site. I hope you are enjoying it.
Thanks for the comment too.
btw - Congrats on the All American hall of fame. I played in 7 tournaments total and can say I NEVER got anything like that. I think I placed 2nd in a tournament. I may have gotten a couple top 10’s, but I never played in enough in a consecutive season down there to earn any all american points.
Anyways, congrats on the win on #4. 75 - 79 were good rounds on that course.
Take care
#3
Adam
April 12th, 2005
Hey Bryan,
I have played a little bit of golf with you also. However, it was later on in your career. Anyhow I think the more opportunities you get to play Pinehurst the better off you are.
Bryan you need to play in the state open this year.
#4
Patrick Bienvenue
November 7th, 2009
This year (2009-2010) does not look like other years may ave for Winternationals. First, the course conditions at Pinehurst have been neglected. I Heard that #8 and #6 are possibly for sale, and that the number of layoffs at PH have degraded the experience. I also saw that the field sizes are down so much that they are allowing 6th and 7th grade players to join as Freshman/Sophomore division players, watch out for some 100+ scores!
I am fearful that our experience this year, our first year, may be disappointing. College coaches do not like to go out to events where 10 and 11 year olds are playing in the same divisions as HS boys.
#5
Lori
March 19th, 2010
The Winternationals you speak of sound nothing like the experience my child has had this year. The fields are very small and the fees are very high for what you get. Out of the 30 or so players 3-4 are just 10-12 years old. The Pinehurst Resort is nice, but the conditions are not very nice compared to other courses in the area.
After playing in two events my son was referred to another tournament series in Raleigh, NC. The courses are top notch, the fees are a fraction of the Pinehurst fees and the field sizes have been no less than twice the size. The competitors are form many states and my son has been paired with players that have signed with big time college programs and several players that are ranked in the top 25 in the country. Next year we will have him play exclusively with the Tarheel Tour in the Raleigh area. When we fly to NC igt is into Raleigh airport so we don’t have to drive to Pinehurst and when we drive it is 2 hours closer to our home in Maryland.
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