Public Invited to Junior Golf Tournament in Basking Ridge

Young golfers ages 11 to 18 from across the state — with many from the Somerset Hills towns — are preparing for the 2013 New Jersey PGA Junior Open Championship on Monday and Tuesday, July 8 and 9, at Basking Ridge Country Club off Madisonville Road in Basking Ridge.

The event already is closed out to additional golfers, with more than 120 players signed up to play in this two-day junior event.

The junior golfers are competitive and spectators are welcome to the event, said Kelly Pantone, director of marketing and membership.

"Thanks to tremendous support from the staff and members at Basking Ridge Country Club, this event continues to be a highlight on the New Jersey PGA Junior Tour," she said. She said the event has always received regional attention but recently the AJGA recognized the event as a top multiple-day tournament in the metropolitan area, rewarding the winning boy with a Performance-based Exemption star.

On Monday the tournament begins at 8 a.m. and on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m., according to information from the country club. The event will last until about 1 to 1:30 p.m., Pantone said.

Past winners include current Rutgers University Men’s Golf Team member Jacob Stockl of Clark, current Peddie Prep player Curren Mody of Monmouth Junction, one of the top high school players in the state, and 2011 and 2012 Girls First Team All State honoree Emily Mills of Farmingdale, NJ.  

The 2013 NJPGA Junior PGA Champion Qualifier, Curren Mody, will be in the field again this year as he prepares to play in the 2013 Junior PGA National Championship later this summer, according to the Basking Ridge Country Club.

The New Jersey Section, PGA of America is one of 41 Sections throughout the country. Junior Golf has a rich tradition in the Garden State, and more information is available online. http://www.newjersey.pga.com/