Top 50 Junior Tour Celebrating 20 Years
By Tom Lang
When golf instructor Dan Thomas was hearing from kids and parents that the only junior golf tour in Michigan he knew about was always full when they tried to register, he said to himself, ‘it sounds like there is room for another Junior Tour.’
Now 20 years later, the Top 50 Junior Tour is serving boy and girl golfers from ages 8-18, with some college events for age 19+.
The name is derived from the format; all play on the first day, then the top 50 move on to the second day. The typical format is opening on a high-level public golf course, then on day two play at a private course.
Thomas’ Michigan PGA connections provides him contacts in the private club sector. At the time in 2003, he was teaching at Oasis on Five Mile Road in Livonia. Nowadays he is stationed at the Learning Center at Fox Hills.
“We wanted courses that kids wouldn’t otherwise get on,” Thomas said about the private courses. “Most kids don’t have access to those private facilities and great golf courses. I don’t think I had any big expectations (for the Tour) other than getting kids out on golf courses. When we started there wasn’t enough competition (opportunities), and they were asking for places to play and we satisfied that.”
The very first event had 12 kids show up. Now the Top 50 Tour has 65-70 kids at each of about three dozen events.
A big mid-summer event is held over July 4th break at Treetops. The kids play The Tradition, and there’s also a parent-child event on the 9-hole Threetops. Local firework shows are also on the docket.
“Junior golfers are the future of our game and business,” said Mark Hogan, Head Golf Professional, Treetops North. “Hosting events like the Top 50 Jr. Tour helps kids experience top level golf at some major golf destinations throughout Michigan and Treetops is extremely lucky to be featured on their tournament schedule.
“The best part for me as a golf professional is to relive my junior golf career through these young boys and girls, see them develop over the years and have them shake my hand on the last day of competition thanking me and the golf staff for hosting such a great event.”
This year's schedule includes Forest Akers West, Eagle Crest in Ypsilanti, TreeTops Resort, Wabeek Country Club, Travis Pointe Country Club, Polo Fields Golf and Country Club, Fieldstone, Fox Hills plus many more. You can check out the 2023 schedule here.
Michigan events start in May and run until the end of September. The tour also offers events in Florida all year round in the Orlando area. Michigan golfers have the opportunity to challenge the Florida golfers during holiday school breaks.
A big push for 2023 is to expand the already-in-place scholarship program, for kids who go to college even if they don’t join a college team.
You can learn more and register for events at https://www.top50jrtour.com/
