Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Competitors, parents, and golf course administrators frequently have questions about the Tour, and how we operate. To assist those individuals, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Tour.



  1. How much does it cost to join the Tour?
  2. How do I enter the tournaments?
  3. Where can I find out the Tour schedule?
  4. How do I qualify for the Tour Championship?
  5. Do players require an official Alberta Golf handicap card to enter tournaments on the Tour?
  6. As a player, what can I expect at a Tour event?
  7. What is expected of ME as a competitor at a Tour event?
  8. Why are there no 54 - hole or 72 - hole events on the Tour?
  9. What is the expected dress and behavior code for players on the Tour?
  10. Is there a minimum age to enter a Tour event?
  11. Are players permitted to use wireless devices such as I-Pods, MP3 players, or cell phones during competition?
  12. As a parent, may I watch my child during his or her round?
  13. NEW!! Are distance ranger finders permitted at Tour events?

Q. How much does it cost to join the Tour?
A. Nothing. Unlike other Junior Golf Tours, the McLennan Ross Sun Junior Golf Tour does not charge any fees to junior golfers to "join" the Tour. We merely act as a coordinating body to organize a series of existing Junior golf tournaments throughout Alberta. Competitors pay an entry fee at each event, but those funds are paid back to competitors in the way of prizes. A meal is also provided to entrants at each event. For the 2008 season, we expect that entry fees for one-day events will average about $45. The multi-day tournaments will be slightly more.

Q. How do I enter the tournaments?
A. Each tournament site handles the entry fees and the overall operation of each event. The Tour does not have a central office that accepts entries on behalf of the host sites. All you have to do is go over the schedule, pick out the tournaments in which you wish to compete, and phone the host club. Most sites do require pre-payment to assure your entry is accepted.

Q. Where can I find out the Tour schedule?
A. There are several ways to find out this information. Starting in  May, the Tour schedule will be listed in advertisements in both the Edmonton and Calgary Sun newspapers several times over the summer. This Website will also of course have the schedule. Posters will be distributed to all Tour host sites and numerous other Alberta Golf member clubs throughout the province.

Q. How do I qualify for the Tour Championship?
A. Ryan Vold, Director of Golf at Wolf Creek Golf Resort, is one of the founders of the Tour, and every year has generously supplied the use of Wolf Creek as the site of the season-ending Tour Championship. Our goal as organizers has been to make this event very special and one of the tournament highlights of a Junior golfer's season. At each Tour event, the winner of each of three flights for Junior Boys automatically qualifies for the Tour Championship: Boys born in the calendar years 1989/90/91, the years 1992/93, and in the year 1994 and later. The Junior Girls winner also automatically qualifies. We also identify at least two Wild Card qualifiers at each event. Wild Card qualifiers are those competitors who have the next best scores from any Age Group that did not win their flights. In some cases because of a large number of entries at a particular site, we may add additional Wild Card qualifiers. If an Age Group or Wild Card qualifier had previously earned his or her way into the Tour Championship, the next best score would earn a qualifying spot for Wolf Creek.

Q. Do players require an official Alberta Golf handicap card to enter tournaments on the Tour?
A.

No. But we STRONGLY recommend that all junior golfers obtain an Alberta Golf handicap card from their own club. Players should get in the habit of updating the card at least every two weeks, and carrying that card with them at all times. Many of the host clubs will insist on a player producing an updated handicap card at registration, or they risk the chance of not being eligible to win `net` score prizes. One of the goals of the McLennan Ross Sun Junior Tour is to prepare players for what they will encounter at a higher level of competition and these cards are MANDATORY for entry into official Alberta Golf tournaments.

Juniors not affliiated with any one particular club may join the Alberta Golf Public Player Club and establish an official handicap through the PPC.


Q. As a player, what can I expect at a Tour event?
A. Players can expect well-run tournaments with both a good level of competition for the elite player, and an atmosphere that will nurture those players just getting started in their competitive golf careers. Entry fees are reasonable, with all the entry fees returned to the players by way of meals and prizes. Players can expect to meet new friends, test their abilities on sometimes unfamiliar golf courses in a variety of conditions, and they can expect both fun and excitement when they play well, and sometimes crushing disappointment when they play poorly. Tournament golf is NOT like playing your home course with your friends.

Q. What is expected of ME as a competitor at a Tour event?
A. Players are expected to behave as young gentlemen and ladies. This does not mean you cannot have fun. But we have certain expectations of competitors in terms of their respect for the game, their fellow-competitors, tournament officials and volunteers, and themselves. Please refer to our Code of Conduct section for complete details on dress code and behavior at Tour events.

Q. Why are there no 54 - hole or 72 - hole events on the Tour?
A. As administrators of the Tour, we have merely coordinated existing Junior golf tournaments already in existence. Typically a Junior Open at a club will be an 18-hole or 36-hole event. Entry fees can be kept affordable for all kids, and only would occasionally require an overnight stay at a tournament site. If we were to develop multi-day events, the costs for these tournaments would rise substantially, and we would have difficulty securing good golf courses unless we were to purchase tee times at these facilities, which would also lead to a substantial increase in fees. There is no question that competing in 54-hole and 72-hole tournaments does provide valuable experience for players once they reach the Provincial and National levels. However, we see our role on this Tour as that of providing good quality tournament experience for all levels of juniors without incurring prohibitive costs for their parents.

Q. What is the expected dress and behavior code for players on the Tour?
A. We have developed a written Code of Conduct for Tour players that is posted at every tournament. The Code of Conduct is also posted elsewhere on this website. We feel this would make very good grounds for a family discussion between players and their parents so that everyone has a solid understanding of the demands that this Tour places on participants in regards to their behavior while at Tour events. The Code is very closely modeled on the Code of Conduct for the Alberta Golf Association, and our goal is to make all players very familiar with the standards expected of them once they have started to compete at a provincial and national level. Competitors will be expected to adhere to the dress code of the host club. In other words, if the host club permits blue jeans, players may wear blue jeans, but we expect all competitors to be neat and tidy in appearance at all times. We want to encourage participation in a fun atmosphere for the kids, but within reason. At the Tour Championship, the Alberta Golf Dress Code will be strictly enforced.

Q. Is there a minimum age to enter a Tour event?
A. Many Juniors have made Tour events their first competitive experience. We field many calls from parents asking if their child can enter tournaments as young as 9 or 10, for example. Although our role with the Tour is more geared towards coordinating the various events around the province rather than actually running the tournaments, we have not found any situations where a site would prohibit a youngster from entering a tournament solely due to age.

But we ask parents to answer the following three questions.

1) Is the player old enough to carry or pull his or her clubs for 18 holes?
(Caddies are not permitted in Tour events)

2) Is the player old enough to be able to keep his or her own score for 18 holes?
We do not expect the kids to be Rules experts; our role is to help coach and develop their knowledge of the Rules as they go along, but they should have enough of an understanding and maturity to keep their scores honestly and to the best of their abilities.

3) Is the player old enough to be able to keep the score of a fellow-competitor for 18 holes as well?
The kids exchange scorecards on the first tee, and sit down after the round at the scoring table and sign off on each other's score. Competitors have a responsibility to the rest of the field to do this fairly and accurately. If the junior can answer "Yes" to these three questions, then he or she is possibly ready to begin their competitive career, even if they are only 9 or 10. But keep in mind that many Tour events may not have a large number of entrants in this younger age group, and the player may be directly competing with kids 2 or 3 years older, which at that age is a big disadvantage. Some events with larger fields may have a 12 & Under Flight. If you are in doubt as to age requirements for a specific tournament, please check with the host site.


Q. Are players permitted to use wireless devices such as I-Pods, MP3 players, or cell phones during competition?
A.

Use of such devices is prohibited.  Only in the event of medical or family emergencies may a competitor use his or her cell phone during the stipulated round. Cell phones must be turned OFF during the round. Devices such as I-Pods or MP3 players are not permitted to be used at ANY time during the round.

Translation = Players are at tournaments to play golf, not listen to tunes or call their friends on the phone!


Q. As a parent, may I watch my child during his or her round?
A.

Certainly!  We value the support of parents for their kids' activities, but once the round starts, the players are on their own.  Parents may assist in the search for lost golf balls, but may offer NO advice or counsel to their child during the round.  We ask that parents and spectators stay at least 30 yards from competitors at ALL times during the round.

Junior golf is about DEVELOPMENT, and this means providing the competitors the opportunity to learn how to manage their golf game and their emotions during a round without outside influence from parents or spectators.  You will have plenty of opportunity to discuss strategy ( or lack therof) with the kids in the car on the way home after the tournament.


Q. NEW!! Are distance ranger finders permitted at Tour events?
A. Yes, but only types that provide information on DISTANCE ONLY, not devices that also factor in elevation changes, wind speed or direction, or compass functions.  If in doubt as to the legality of a particular range finder, obtain approval from a Tour official prior to using the range finder in Tournament play.