Year in Review: Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship Take Flight

December 27, 2016

Blake Taylor won the boys tournament at the first Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf ChampionsipThe inaugural Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship was played at TPC Myrtle Beach, DJ’s home course, and it was rousing success. The 54-hole college style event attracted a 90-player field, including boys and girls, from 12 states and eight countries. 

Among the nations represented were Canada, China, England, Japan, Philippines, Scotland and Sweden. Nearly a quarter of the field was comprised of international players.

The 54-hole college style event placed a priority on player experience. Each participant had his or her own stall on the range and a private locker at TPC, in addition to receiving a gift bag that included Adidas Boost golf shoes and noise ccancelingheadphones. 

Combine the tournament perks with a TPC course that has hosted the Senior PGA Tour Championship and been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses, and you have the recipe for a fast-rising event. 

The inaugural DJ, which attracted three top 100 players, according to Golfweek.com, and the best junior boys and girls from the Carolinas, identified worthy champions. On the boys side, Blake Taylor, who now plays for East Carolina, enjoyed a four-stroke victory, powered by stellar play over the event’s final nine holes. 

Current Louisville Cardinal Delaney Shah, rallied from a nine-stroke deficit entering the final round to capture the girls title. 

“It was amazing,” Shah said of the experience. “The people are so nice. The volunteers, the gifts, and everything was so well run. I was thankful to be able to play in this.” 

The second annual event Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship will be played February 24-26, 2017 at TPC.