The Golf Club of New England to Host the 2012 U.S. Junior Amateur

STRATHAM, N.H., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- In July 2012, The Golf Club of New England will host the first ever United States Golf Association championship in the State of New Hampshire's history. The club has been chosen by the USGA as the site of the 2012 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. The dates for the championship are July 16-21, 2012.

"Earning the opportunity to host the U.S. Junior Amateur is a major triumph for the state and the club," said Craig Benson, former Governor of the State of New Hampshire and current Honorary Chairman of The Golf Club of New England. "The first USGA championship was held in 1895. With the work we've done here at The Golf Club of New England, we finally have a venue worthy of joining the 47 other states that have shared the honor of hosting such an event. We look forward to hosting golf's rising stars and hope to continue to be a part of the USGA's rich heritage."

Benson also announced an unprecedented effort to follow these rising stars as they embark on their golf careers. The Golf Club of New England will incorporate into its website "The Drive to New Hampshire," a social media forum in which aspiring golfers who plan to compete in the 2012 Junior Amateur championship can post their profiles. "This is a great way for young golfers to share their progress and growth in the sport," said Benson.  For more information on "The Drive to New Hampshire," visit www.golfclubne.com/nh.

The course opened in 2003 and was designed by the Arnold Palmer Course Design Company.  

"We're one of only two Arnold Palmer designed courses in New England," said club chairperson Joseph Kane. "It's a beautiful setting and will be a fitting challenge for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, an event that has helped launched the careers of golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods."

First held in 1948, the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship has showcased many of the sport's greats at the start of their careers. Other notable participants in U.S. Junior Amateur Championships include Ben Crenshaw, David Duval, Jim Furyk, Lee Janzen, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard, Davis Love, Bill Mayfair, Johnny Miller, Corey Pavin, Jeff Sluman, Curtis Strange and Ken Venturi. The 2009 U.S. Junior Amateur Champion was Jordan Spieth; he was 15 years old when he won the event, held at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey.

In the tradition of the USGA Junior Amateur, the championship is open to the public at no charge. Spectators are encouraged to attend.  

For more information about The Golf Club of New England, visit online at www.golfclubne.com.

About The Golf Club of New England

Located in Stratham, New Hampshire, The Golf Club of New England is a short distance from the Massachusetts and Maine state borders, less than an hour drive from Boston and Portland. Over 7,500 yards long, this championship course is an imaginative blend of lush fairways, greens, and natural waterways designed by Arnold Palmer Course Design Company. The course opened in 2003. It is scheduled to host the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship in 2012. It has been the site of qualifiers for the 2004 U.S. Amateur, 2004 USGA Senior Women's Amateur, 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 2005, 2006 and 2009 USGA Senior Amateur. For more information, visit www.golfclubne.com.

SOURCE The Golf Club of New England