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”.

Are caddies and the gallery allowed to use golf carts?
Yes - carts can be used by caddies (golf bag may go on the cart) and by gallery. Please ask the staff at each course what their golf cart policy is (paths only, 90 degrees or in the fairway).

How does the waiting list work?
· If the event fills up to the tee time capacity given to NWJrGT by the host courses (even before the entry deadline has been reached) – players will go on a “waiting list”.

· NWJrGT will work with host courses to open more tee times to get players off the waiting list.

· Players come off the waiting list based on their sign up # and spots opening IN THEIR DIVISION.

· Due to a lot of extra work to bring players off the waiting list, anytime a player comes off the waiting list, there is a $10 late fee added to the entry fee.

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-8th 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.

What are the WIAA rules regarding players earning merchandise credit?
A player may not accumulate more than $300 dollar limit in merchandise (in any events) per WIAA calendar year. So for example if I start playing the tour my 9th grade year and I play through my 12th grade year that means I have played for 4 years. At the end of my career I may have no more than $1200 in merchandise credit at that time. It also means that I cannot go 9th-11th grade and accumulate nothing and then be able to accumulate $1200 my senior year.

Can I receive Free merchandise from a golf manufacturer?
As long as you don’t exceed the $300 limit.

Who can I contact if I have questions on the WIAA rules regarding players earning merchandise credit?
contact Andy Barnes | Assistant Executive Director | WIAA - 435 Main Avenue South, Renton, WA 98057 - office: (425) 282-5237 – abarnes@wiaa.com

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 the best email address and phone number at which to contact you.

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 warehouse). 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. There is no processing fee on your first order, but on subsequent orders a $15 processing fee will be charged to your earnings amount. 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 TOURNAMENT WITHDRAW/REFUND POLICY?

HOW DO I WITHDRAW FROM AN EVENT?
Any player needing to withdraw MUST:

1. Email jeff@jrgt.com their intentions.
2. At that time, in that email, please indicate your preference of refund or credit to a future event, IF you qualify.
3. Please include a phone # where you can be reached easily.

HOW DO I RECEIVE A REFUND IF I HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM AN EVENT?

1. Please check our refund policy to see if you qualify for a refund.
2. If you qualify for a refund AND you have emailed jeff@jrgt.com to withdraw, please include in the email your desire to receive either a full refund OR a credit to a future event.
3. If you desire a refund, and you qualify for a refund, please include the PayPal transaction # from your receipt (or just forward the receipt to jeff@jrgt.com) or if you paid over the phone, please call back (360.895.0130) and a staff member will credit your card over the phone – WE DO NOT KEEP CREDIT CARD #’S, SO YOU MUST CALL BACK WITH THE CREDIT CARD #.

HOW DO I USE A CREDIT TO A FUTURE EVENT?

1. Please be sure to email jeff@jrgt.com if you wish to withdraw from an event.
2. Check to see if you qualify to receive a credit to a future event under our refund/credit policy.
3. In your email to withdraw, if you qualify for credit to a future event, please indicate your desire to have credit to a future event – if you know the event you’d like to use the credit toward, please indicate that in the email.
4. Please include your phone# in case we need to reach you.
5. If you aren’t certain when you’d like to use the credit, indicate that in the email and we will reply with an “EMAIL CREDIT” that you can use AS THE CREDIT to a future event.
6. To exercise the email credit, simply reply to the EXACT EMAIL we sent you, with the event you’d like to enter, INCLUDE all player registration info (name, grade, hometown, state, email, phone#) and we will register the player manually if there is still room available in that event. If there is a difference between your credit and the entry fee, call us at 800.323.0130 and we will make the adjustment.

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.