FAR HILLS, N.J.  (July 10, 2017) – The USGA and Lexus welcome junior golf fans ages 17 and under to enjoy a series of family-friendly activities on Wednesday, July 12 at the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open Championship.   

“Every year, a new generation of golf fans is inspired by watching our championships, whether at home or at the course,” said Diana Murphy, president of the USGA. “Knowing the U.S. Women’s Open is in our home state of New Jersey this year, we are especially excited to plan a fun day for families to celebrate and enjoy the game together.”

Conducted this year on the Old Course of Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey, the U.S. Women’s Open is golf’s ultimate championship for female golfers, drawing 156 of the world’s greatest players to play on the grandest stage in women’s golf. 

Juniors 17 and under can enter the championship free all week. Wednesday’s junior activities start at 8 a.m. and include: 

8 a.m.:   Registration Opens
All juniors will receive a complimentary “scorecard” to track each activity they attend throughout the day, as well as a hat, compliments of Lexus and the USGA.

8 a.m. – Noon:    Golf Fun with LPGA/USGA Girls Golf
LPGA/USGA Girls Golf will host interactive PLAY stations that teach juniors the fundamental skills and values of golf, led by LPGA teaching professionals, at the Short Game Area. Special appearances by LPGA player and Lexus Golf Ambassador Natalie Gulbis at 9 a.m., and a special announcement at 11 a.m. by Symetra Tour Player Hyemin Kim.

10 a.m. - Noon:   Learning Science through Golf Educational Station
Juniors will enjoy hands-on experiments with the USGA Green Section, learning more about the connection between science, the environment, and golf. Located at the Short Game Area

11:30 a.m.:   Be a Champion
Lexus will continue its tradition of bringing the iconic U.S. Women’s Open trophy for a group photo at the Short-Game Area

Noon:   U.S. Women's Open Site Tour
Registered juniors will meet at the Short-Game Area for a special tour of the U.S. Women’s Open Media Center. 

Afternoon:   Front-Row Seat
Kids will have access to junior-only viewing areas throughout the course, so they can see all the action from front-row locations.  

Ticket or badge-holding parents and guardians are encouraged to register their junior at https://survey.usga.org/s3/2017USWomensOpenJuniorDay by no later than Tuesday, June 11 at 5 p.m. EDT. 

Tickets to the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open Championship start at $25 per adult for early-week practice rounds and can be purchased online at uswomensopen.com or for $30 at the gate. Complimentary parking is available to all ticket or badge-holding fansMonday through Sunday of championship week. The free shuttle service, which will transport guests directly to the front entrance of the championship from the parking area, is less than a 10-minute ride. Complete fan info, including ticket, parking, security and other information can be found at uswomensopen.com. 

The free day of fun complements a host of events scheduled for young golf enthusiasts during championship week. They include a five-day “USGA Learning Science through Golf” junior STEM academy with USGA scientists and researchers as well as experts from Rutgers University. Twenty-four First Tee finalists from across the country earned their opportunity to participate in this first-of-its-kind program to learn how math, science, engineering and technology apply to the game of golf every day.  

In addition, several New Jersey-based LPGA/USGA Girls Golf participants won an essay contest to be involved in a “Share My Passion” private golf clinic with three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion and Lexus Golf Ambassador Annika Sorenstam on Monday of championship week.   

Many LPGA/USGA Girls Golf participants will also serve as hole ambassadors throughout the golf course during Wednesday’s practice rounds.  

For fans watching at home, live coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship begins at 10 a.m. EDT on Thursday, June 13 on usga.org and on FS1 beginning at 2 p.m. A complete broadcast schedule can be found at uswomensopen.com. 

About the USGA
The USGA celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment and amateur status rules. Our operating jurisdiction for these governance functions is the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA Handicap System is utilized in more than 40 countries and our Course Rating System covers 95 percent of the world’s golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.