AJGA brings premier junior golf tournament to Chesterfield, Virginia through 2028
(this press release is reposted from the American Junior Golf Association)
BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is proud to announce a new partnership with Chesterfield, Virginia, and its regional hospitality community to host the Play Chesterfield Junior Championship beginning in 2026. The three-year agreement, running through the 2028 season, will bring one of the nation’s premier junior golf tournaments to the Richmond, Virginia area.
The inaugural Play Chesterfield Junior Championship will take place June 22–25, 2026, at The Golf Club at the Highlands in Chesterfield, Virginia. The tournament will showcase top junior golfers ages 12–19 from around the world, while providing a platform for community engagement and highlighting Chesterfield’s growing reputation as a destination for sports tourism and youth development.
“Chesterfield County is honored to welcome the American Junior Golf Association for the inaugural Play Chesterfield Junior Championship,” said Kevin Carroll, Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. “This event provides a wonderful opportunity to highlight the strength of our local golf community and the exceptional venues we have right here in Chesterfield. The Golf Club at the Highlands will serve as an outstanding host, and we look forward to showcasing the talent, hospitality, and community spirit that make Chesterfield such a special place.”
The weeklong celebration of junior golf will kick off Sunday, June 21, with an AJGA Qualifier, giving 78 junior golfers the chance to earn entry into the main field. On Monday, June 22, members of the local community will participate in the Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, an exciting opportunity to play alongside top junior golfers while supporting the AJGA’s charitable initiatives.
“On behalf of the Emerson family and the staff at the Highlands, we are truly thrilled and honored to host an AJGA in 2026,” said Troy Thorne, Head Golf Professional at The Golf Club at The Highlands. “The course has been prepping for several years to get ready for an event of this magnitude and we feel it is going to be a good test to the world’s best junior golfers. It will be an exciting week to have our Highlands golfing community come out and support this tournament!”
The 54-hole stroke-play tournament will take place June 23–25, followed immediately by an awards ceremony on Thursday, June 25.
“Chesterfield County and the entire Richmond Region has been an incredible advocate for sports tourism and community development,” said Patrick Cansfield, AJGA Director of Business Development. “Their support of junior golf will have a lasting impact on aspiring players in the region, and we’re excited to deliver an event that reflects their passion for both youth sports and the Chesterfield community.”
The AJGA and Chesterfield County invite local businesses, volunteers, and community partners to get involved and help enhance the charitable and community impact of the event. Opportunities are available to support the Junior-Am, volunteer during the week, or assist in sponsorship efforts.
The AJGA and Chesterfield County invite local businesses, volunteers and community partners to get involved and help enhance the charitable and community impact of the event. Opportunities are available to support the Junior-Am, volunteer during the week or assist in sponsorship efforts. If you are interested, please contact Houston Denney, Sr. Regional Director, Southeast, at hdenney@ajga.org.
To learn more about AJGA programs, upcoming tournaments, or initiatives, please visit ajga.org or contact Angela Ding (ading@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department.
About Chesterfield, Virginia
Experience Chesterfield is the primary destination marketing organization (DMO) for Chesterfield, Virginia. The organization promotes the county’s distinctive blend of history, outdoor recreation, and local character, inspiring residents and visitors to explore all there is to see and do. Through its Play Chesterfield brand, Experience Chesterfield elevates the county as a premier destination for sports and recreation. Learn more at ExperienceChesterfield.com and PlayChesterfield.com.
About The Golf Club at the Highlands
Welcome to The Golf Club at the Highlands, where golf, community, and natural beauty come together. Designed to challenge and inspire players of every level, our 18-hole championship course winds through a picturesque landscape of mature pines, shimmering lakes, and gently rolling terrain. Each hole offers its own unique character and strategy, rewarding both precision and creativity.
In its ongoing commitment to course excellence, the Highlands recently upgraded its putting surfaces to MiniVerde Bermuda and converted the fairways to Zorro Zoysia, providing superior playability, consistency, and year-round conditioning.
Members enjoy a year-round calendar of tournaments, leagues, and social gatherings that make the Highlands more than a golf club — it’s a community. Our professional staff is dedicated to creating memorable experiences both on and off the course, from member trips and competitive events to instructional programs and junior golf development.
After your round, relax and unwind at The Reserve Restaurant, offering quality dining and a welcoming atmosphere overlooking the 18th green. Whether you’re here to compete, connect, or simply enjoy a great day outdoors, the Highlands stands apart as a place where tradition and fun meet.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,500 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s Global Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.