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 .

Former participants of Optimist-sponsored events include current professional golfers Amy Alcott, Notah Begay III, Brandie Burton, John Daly, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Billy Mayfair, Michelle McGann, Phil Mickelson, Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Chris Riley, Craig Stadler, Paul Stankowski, David Toms and Tiger Woods.