The Optimist Junior Golf Program is an exciting and unique junior golf program for ages 10-18.  More than 5,000 boys and girls throughout the United States and Canada and in several foreign countries compete in official Optimist Qualifying Tournaments . The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Commonly referred to as The Optimist , the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world.  In addition to top-level tournament golf, participants have the opportunity to meet new friends and to have a great deal of fun. Each year, more than 750 junior golfers from 30 countries participate in The Optimist .

Optimist-tournaments have served as a springboard for many accomplished professional golfers. Elite players such as Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Tiger Woods, David Toms, Steven Ames, Chris Riley, Jonathon Byrd, Jeff Overton and Stacy Pammansudh are some of the past competitors.

From a more localized standpoint several well known past participants include, Mike Weir, Alena Sharpe, Lisa Maunu, Matt Hill, Mitch Sutton, Britt Pronk, Jace Walker, Brett McIntosh, Jennifer Kirby and Nicole Vandermade.

Click here for past Canadian Optimist National Junior Golf Champions.