2026 Application Information
108th Western Junior Championship
Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Illinois
June 15-18, 2026
ENTRIES OPEN – Wednesday, February 5, 2026
ENTRIES CLOSE – 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, May 1, 2026
ELIGIBILITY – The Championship is open to male amateur golfers who are at least 12 years old and have not reached their 19th birthday as of June 18, 2026. Participants may not be members of a college golf team or have taken part in any supervised team activities. All entrants must adhere to the USGA Rules of Amateur Status and meet the requirements of the USGA Gender Policy. Eligible golfers must hold an official World Handicap System index of 3.0 or lower. For entrants who are minors, parental or guardian approval is required. All entries are subject to approval or rejection by the Western Golf Association (WGA) at any time before or after the start of play. Reasons for rejection may include conduct unbecoming of a participant (see CODE OF CONDUCT below).
FIELD – The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 players. The WGA will determine exemptions in accordance with the published exemption categories. Eligible players who are not automatically exempt may apply for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption by submitting a completed entry form, including a golf resume, along with the application fee before the deadline.
Entry & Withdrawal Procedures
- All entries must be submitted online at www.thewesternjunior.com. Late, incomplete, or inaccurate entry forms will not be accepted.
- There is a non-refundable $25 application fee for all applications.
- All entries and application fees of $25 must be submitted online prior to 5 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, May 1, 2026. Only one entry may be filed per player.
- If an entrant who has paid the full entry fee ($395) withdraws before 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 1, 2026, the full entry fee will be refunded, less the $25 application fee.
- If an entrant withdraws for any reason after 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 1, 2026, but before 5 p.m. (CDT) on Monday, June 1, 2026, 50% of the entry fee ($185) will be refunded.
- No refunds will be made for withdrawals after Monday, June 1, 2026.
- If you cannot compete and do not officially withdraw prior to the tournament, you will be treated as a “no-show” and will be subject to exclusion from future WGA events. Entrants should contact Steve Prioletti,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (224) 260-3738, to formally withdraw from the event. - Upon acceptance into the tournament field, the balance of the entry fee ($370 - credit card payment submitted online) must be paid by June 1, 2026, to confirm each applicant's acceptance into the event. Each applicant who is accepted into the field will be sent a link to make a payment on the remaining balance of $370.
TOURNAMENT ACCEPTANCE – Players who qualify for an exemption into the tournament in categories A, B, and C will be notified of their acceptance into the tournament after receipt of the online application and application fee, provided there are spaces available. All players applying for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption will be emailed notification of their status by 5 p.m. (CDT) on May 8, 2026.
FORMAT – The Western Junior Championship is a 72-hole stroke play event. After the second round, the field will be cut to the low 44 players and ties for the final two rounds. Those making the cut will play 36 holes of individual stroke play on Thursday to determine the champion. Every effort will be made to complete each round as scheduled. All rounds will be played at Knollwood Club.
SUNDAY, JUNE 14
P.M. Shotgun – Contestant-Amateur Event (Knollwood Club)
MONDAY, JUNE 15
6:00 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. – Player Registration (Knollwood Club Clubhouse)
7:00 A.M. – 2:10 P.M. – Practice Rounds
6:00 P.M. – Player Welcome Party (Knollwood Club Clubhouse)
TUESDAY, JUNE 16
A.M. & P.M. – First Round Stroke Play
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
A.M. & P.M. – Second Round Stroke Play
(field cut to the low 44 players & ties)
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
A.M. – Third Round Stroke Play
P.M. – Fourth Round Stroke Play
SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS – The Champion of the 2026 Western Junior Championship will receive a three-year exemption into the Western Amateur Championship. The top three players and ties will receive exemptions into the 2026 Western Amateur Championship, provided there are spaces available.
AWARDS – WGA maintains a permanent trophy in conjunction with the Western Junior Championship. The name of the champion will be engraved on the Milton Woodard Trophy. A Western Junior keeper trophy will be presented to the champion, with medals being presented to the top two finishers.
REGISTRATION – All players must register with the WGA on Monday, June 15. Registration will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CDT) at the Knollwood Club clubhouse. If you are unable to register during this time, you must notify the WGA tournament staff in advance by calling (224) 260-3738. Failure to register will result in the withdrawal of your entry. Late registration, with prior approval, may be accommodated on Monday afternoon. WGA tournament staff must be informed in advance to request late registration.
PRACTICE – Knollwood Club will be available for practice rounds on Monday, June 15, for all participants. Approximately one month before the tournament, contestants will receive an email with instructions to book their practice round via the Golfgenius portal. Each player must register with the WGA before playing a practice round. PLEASE NOTE: Knollwood Club will not be available for additional practice rounds before Monday, June 15. Contestants will have access to the driving range, putting green, and short game area from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Sunday, June 14. The practice facilities will not be accessible prior to Sunday.
CONTESTANT-AMATEUR – The Contestant-Amateur is a kickoff event hosted by Knollwood Club, giving players the opportunity to be paired with a member and play the course ahead of the tournament. The event will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14, followed by a reception. The Contestant-Amateur is a limited-field, invitation-only event. Additional details and invitations will be sent separately approximately one month before the tournament.
PLAYER WELCOME PARTY – The Player Welcome Party will be held on Monday, June 15. All contestants are invited as guests of the WGA and are strongly encouraged to attend. Each player will receive one complimentary guest ticket to share with a parent, family member, or caddie. Additional guest tickets may be purchased at the check-in table on Monday evening.
CADDIE POLICY – Knollwood Club caddies are available for the practice round and tournament play on a first-come, first-served basis. A player is not required to employ a caddie for any stage of the Championship. Players’ family members and friends are permitted to caddie for contestants. If you would like to request a Knollwood Club caddie, please contact Brendan McLaughlin as soon as possible at
TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION/ACCOMMODATIONS – Upon receiving notice of tournament acceptance, participants should book flights into Chicago O’Hare International Airport (approximately 30 minutes from Knollwood Club) or Chicago Midway International Airport (approximately 75 minutes from Knollwood Club), if needed.
The host hotels for the Championship are:
- TownePlace Suites Waukegan/Gurnee
404 Lakehurst Rd., Waukegan, IL 60085 - SpringHill Suites Waukegan/Gurnee
4010 Fountain Square Pl., Waukegan, IL 60085
Both hotels are located about 12 minutes from Knollwood Club. The special tournament rate is $129 + tax/night for a Standard King Room and $139 + tax/night for a Studio Queen/Queen. Contestants are responsible for making their own reservations and may do so using the booking links provided in the official acceptance email or by contacting the hotels directly. The deadline to secure reservations at the group rate is May 29, 2026.
HEADQUARTERS – All inquiries should be directed to Steve Prioletti, Director of Amateur Competitions, Western Golf Association, 2501 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, IL 60026. He can be reached at (224) 260-3738 or
CODE OF CONDUCT – The following actions by players or caddies will be considered violations of the Code of Conduct: any abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers or officials, abuse of the course or clubhouse, leaving the course during your competitive round without permission from a WGA official, any use of or association with drugs or alcohol, not adhering to the dress code during any portion of the tournament, any vandalism at a host hotel, and/or any other conduct not becoming of a Western Junior competitor. The penalties for Code of Conduct violations, based on the severity of the misconduct, may be any or all of the following: a warning, disqualification of the player from the tournament, suspension of the player indefinitely from future WGA events.
PLAYER DRESS CODE – Players and caddies may wear golf-style shorts or pants during the practice round and all rounds of the championship. Collared shirts are required at all times during the tournament. Players who violate the dress code will not be permitted to start their round. Any dress code violation that occurs during a stipulated round must be corrected without undue delay, or the player will not be allowed to continue. Proper attire is required at all times while on the host property, including in the clubhouse and at all practice facilities before and after play.
FOOTWEAR – It is a condition of the competition that shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.
GROUPINGS & STARTING TIMES – Groupings and starting times for the first two rounds will be posted on the Golfgenius portal by 12 noon (CDT) on Sunday, June 14. Groupings and starting times can also be viewed at www.thewesternjunior.com. Groupings and starting times will not be available from WGA Headquarters in advance.
RULES OF GOLF – The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and The R&A, as modified by local rules established by the WGA, govern play. The WGA tournament committee reserves the right to alter any of the conditions and schedules herein. Changes in tournament format caused by force majeure shall be within the sole discretion of the WGA officials. The decisions of the WGA tournament committee in any matter shall be final.
PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; BROADCASTING – By submitting this application, I understand that the WGA or its designees may record, film, photograph, or otherwise capture my likeness, image, voice, biography, references to me, my quoted statements, and my play in the Championship (the foregoing, together with my name, my “Appearance”). In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the Championship, by submitting this Application, I grant (and/or have the authority to grant to the WGA in the case of a parent/guardian of a minor or other authorized representative submitting the Application on my behalf) to the WGA, and its licensees, successors and assigns, the perpetual, transferable, assignable, worldwide, royalty-free, irrevocable right to use my Appearance, in whole or in part, in all manner (including exhibition, distribution, reproduction, publication, display, broadcast, transmission or otherwise), and media now known or hereafter invented or discovered, and for any purpose whatsoever. The rights granted herein include, without limitation, the right to use the Appearance, or portions thereof, in promotion of the Championship and future championships through any of the foregoing means of distribution, as well as in the design, manufacture and distribution of merchandise related to the Championship or other championships, that include elements of my Appearance. The WGA is not obligated to use my Appearance in any matter, and materials embodying any aspect of my Appearance do not need be submitted to me for approval. I release and discharge the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns from any claims arising from use of my Appearance, including claims for misrepresentation of me, my character, or my person by any means. As between the WGA and me, the WGA shall own all rights, title, and interest, including the copyright(s), in and to any works created by the WGA, its licensees, successors and assigns, that include all or a portion of my Appearance. This grant shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the successors and assigns of the WGA. I hereby waive all privacy, publicity, defamation, libel, and proprietary rights relating to the Appearance as used by the WGA in conjunction with these terms. Players are required to cooperate with representatives of the media; however, no pre-Championship activities outside of those activities which are part of the Championship will be required. Authorized representatives of the media will not interfere with the player’s Championship play in an unreasonable manner.
2026 Exemption Categories
EXEMPT PLAYERS – Players in categories A, B, or C are automatically exempt into the starting field, provided they:
- Meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the ELIGIBILITY section, and
- There are available spaces in the field.
NON-EXEMPT PLAYERS – Players who are not exempt under any of the categories listed below but are otherwise eligible should submit a completed entry form and application fee to request a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption before the application deadline. Candidates for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption should also include a golf resume (maximum one page) with their application. All players awarded a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption will be notified via email of their acceptance into the starting field by May 8, 2026.
The field may be limited by the WGA to a maximum of 156 players. Those not initially accepted into the 156-player field may be placed on an alternate list for exempt players who subsequently withdraw.
A. Exemptions Based on WGA Championships:
Western Junior:
A-1. Champions (2021–2025).
A-2. Made the 36-hole cut (2025).
Western Amateur:
A-3. Posted a 72-hole score.
B. Exemptions Based on Ranking Systems, Teams, & National Junior Events:
B-1. Any player ranked in the top 100 of the Rolex AJGA or Junior Golf Scoreboard overall rankings at any time between the date of entry and May 1, 2026.
B-2. Any player ranked in the top 5 of the Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings for the Class of 2026, 2027, 2028, or 2029 between April 20 and May 1, 2026.
B-3. Rolex Junior All-American First and Second Team members (2025).
B-4. Top 10 finishers or Round of 16 qualifiers at any AJGA Invitational, U.S. Junior Amateur, Junior Golf World Cup, Junior PGA Championship, Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, or USWING Junior World (2025–2026). Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.
B-5. Top 5 finishers at the Canadian Junior Championship, Dustin Johnson World Junior, Jones Cup Junior Invitational, Junior Orange Bowl, North & South Junior, Scott Robertson Memorial, or Southern Junior (2025–2026). Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.
B-6. Winners of the Bobby Chapman Junior, Bubba Conlee, Doral Junior Classic, Gator Invitational, Hudson Junior, Pete & Alice Dye Junior Invitational, Press Thornton Future Masters, or Sea Pines Junior Heritage (2025–2026). Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.
B-7. Winners of any AJGA Open tournament held between January 1 and May 1, 2026.
Note: Applies only to the oldest age division.
C. Exemptions Based on National and International Amateur Events:
C-1. Match Play qualifier at the U.S. Amateur (2025).
C-2. Top 20 finishers at the Azalea Invitational, Dogwood Invitational, Jones Cup Invitational, Monroe Invitational, Northeast Amateur, Pacific Coast Amateur, South Beach International Amateur, Southern Amateur, Sunnehanna Amateur, or Trans-Miss Amateur (2025).
C-3. Match Play qualifier at The Amateur, North & South Amateur, or PNGA Amateur (2025).
D. Exemptions Based on Special Considerations or Invitations:
D-1. A limited number of D-1 Special Consideration Exemptions and/or written invitations may be granted by the Committee. Players who do not qualify under categories A, B, or C may apply for a D-1 Special Consideration Exemption.