Indiana South District Optimist Junior Golf Program

Tournaments, Dates, Locations & Details

Indiana South District Optimist Qualifier

2027 Regional Tournaments:

2027 Regional Tournaments will be played TBD. Age group winners in Regional Tournaments will receive free entry into the District Tournament. All other Regional tournament participants will receive a $15.00 discount from the District Tournament fee for their age group. For additional Information on Regional Tournaments, see the Regional Tournaments Information page. 

 Indiana South District Tournament Information

DISTRICT TOURNAMENT:

This tournament annually draws a strong field of junior golfers in the State.  Indiana South District Optimists work hard to make this tournament a positive and valuable golfing experience for all participants.  Junior golfers just beginning to experience tournament golf,  more advanced players attempting to qualify for international competition, and tournament-tested champions taking a step toward a college scholarship all have benefited from their participation in “Optimist Golf”.  We believe that all who participate are winners.  

The Indiana South District Optimist Junior Golf Tournament will be held at Oak Tree Golf Course (all age groups), TBD 2027.  The tournament entry fee will be $40.00 (Girls 10-12, Boys 10-11 & Boys 12-13), $55.00 (Girls 13-14 & Boys 14-15 or $75.00 (Girls 15-18 & Boys 16-18) per participant. 

The Tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships to be held at Trump National Doral Resort and Spa from July 15, 2026, to July 30, 2026.  The Indiana South District will provide all (16-18 boys & 15-18 girls), or a portion of, the International Tournament entry fees for within District* age group winners who shoot a qualifying score. Players receiving financial assistance from the district are required to play all three days at the International Tournament. Other District Tournament participants who shoot a qualifying score may also qualify to enter the International Tournament.  

*The Indiana South District is basically  South of I-74 from Illinois to Ohio, but does include the I-465 from I -74 on the west side gong north around the loop to I-74 on the east side and includes Carmel and Fishers area just north of I-465 on the north east side.

DISTRICT EVENTS:

18 Holes for Boys and Girls in ALL age groups.  (ALL age groups may only play 9 holes if necessary due to weather delays.) Official District Tournament – Tournament weather delays / Cancellation: A District qualifier will not be considered official unless all golfers in an age division complete a minimum of nine holes, in which case the tournament would revert back to the last hole completed by the entire age division.  In the case of a District qualifier that is cancelled with no make-up date, golfers in said District will be eligible to submit an “at large” application directly to Optimist Junior Golf.  In this situation, the number of accepted “at large” applicants in each division will be equal to the number of qualifying spots granted for the district. All golfers must shoot at or below an established target score in the district qualifier.   All scores are in relation to par and are for 18-hole tournaments. In the case of weather delays and an age division only completes nine holes.  The target score will be divided in half.

•   Circle 10 rule will apply for speed of play. 

PRACTICE ROUNDS:     

Players who wish to play a practice round (not included in entry fee) may contact  Oak Tree Golf Club to schedule a tee time.  For the best Junior Golf rate, mention that you are entered in the "Optimist" Tournament.   

PLAYER SPONSORSHIPS:

Many local Optimist Clubs will sponsor local junior golfers from their community by paying their entry fee.  If you live in a community with an Optimist Club, contact the local Club President, or any member of the Club, for more information.  To find a local club near you follow this link: https://www.indianaoptimist.org/clubs/

PULL CARTS AND DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES

Pull carts are now permitted in all age groups in both Boys and Girls divisions.  Spectator carts will be available for rental.  Distance Measuring Devices In this competition a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 4.3(1). Cell phones may be used to measure distance only. Cell phone may be used to call for a rules official, check scores or in case of emergency.