The American Junior Golf Association is bringing a championship event to Rapid City for three straight years, starting in 2026. The tournament will be held at the Golf Club at Red Rock, through a new partnership with the Rapid City Sports Commission.
That means elite junior golf is coming to the Black Hills in 2026, 2027, and 2028. And not quietly.
A national stage for junior golf
The 2026 event is scheduled for September 3 through 6 and will bring 78 of the top junior golfers in the country to Rapid City. Competitors range in age from 12 to 19, and many are already on the radar of college recruiters and national golf programs.
Red Rock isn’t new to praise. It’s the top-ranked public golf course in South Dakota, and this tournament puts it in front of a national audience of families, coaches, scouts, and golf fans who travel with these events.
“All of us at the Golf Club at Red Rock, from ownership to members and staff, are honored to host an AJGA event,” said Jason Young, Head PGA Golf Professional at Red Rock. “We look forward to highlighting both our golf course and the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota.”
Why Rapid City fits the moment
For many junior golfers across the region, national tournaments often mean long flights and big travel costs. Bringing an AJGA championship back to South Dakota lowers those barriers while opening doors.
The event strengthens the regional junior golf pipeline, creates more competitive opportunities closer to home, and gives young players a clearer path toward collegiate golf without having to leave the region.
It also introduces visiting families to Rapid City itself.
“This is an exciting event for Rapid City,” said Domico Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Rapid City Sports Commission. “Rapid is the ideal place to host this national event, with the top-ranked public course in the state, a welcoming community and national attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park.”
For a city already building momentum in sports tourism, this championship adds another high-visibility win.
What tournament week looks like
The championship stretches across five days and mixes high-level competition with community involvement.
Wednesday, September 2
AJGA Qualifier. Seventy-eight junior golfers compete for spots in the main field.
Thursday, September 3
Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament and official practice round. Local businesses, civic leaders, and visiting families play alongside elite junior golfers while raising money for charity.
Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
A 54-hole stroke-play championship, ending with an awards ceremony.
Patrick Cansfield, AJGA Senior Director of Development, says the event is designed to be more than a tournament.
“The AJGA Junior at Red Rock is more than a tournament, it’s a destination experience,” Cansfield said. “Our partnership with the Rapid City Sports Commission reflects a shared vision of using elite junior golf to drive visitation, economic impact and national recognition, while also making AJGA competition more accessible to junior golfers throughout this region of the country and continuing to DEVELOP GOLF’S NEXT GENERATION® in a world-class, family-friendly setting.”
A community invitation
Organizers are encouraging local businesses, volunteers, and community partners to get involved. Opportunities include sponsorship activation, volunteering throughout tournament week, and participating in the Junior-Am fundraising event.
Each role is designed to extend the tournament’s impact beyond the course, supporting local charities and strengthening connections between visiting families and the Rapid City community.
For partnership or volunteer information, contact Trevon Wehrman, Regional Manager, South Central, at twehrman@ajga.org. Learn more about thThe American Junior Golf Association will bring a championship event to Rapid City for three consecutive years, beginning in 2026. The tournament will take place at the Golf Club at Red Rock through a new partnership with the Rapid City Sports Commission.
As a result, elite junior golf will return to the Black Hills in 2026, 2027, and 2028, drawing national attention to the region.
A national stage for junior golfers
The 2026 championship is scheduled for September 3 through 6 and will feature 78 of the nation’s top junior golfers. Competitors range in age from 12 to 19, and many already compete on a national recruiting stage.
At the same time, the event will bring families, coaches, college recruiters, and spectators from across the country and around the world to Rapid City.
Red Rock enters the spotlight as well. As the top-ranked public golf course in South Dakota, the course offers a competitive and scenic setting for a national championship.
“All of us at the Golf Club at Red Rock, from ownership to members and staff, are honored to host an AJGA event,” said Jason Young, Head PGA Golf Professional at Red Rock. “We look forward to highlighting both our golf course and the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota.”
Why Rapid City makes sense
Many junior golfers often face long travel distances to compete at this level. Because of that, returning the championship to South Dakota helps reduce travel barriers for players from surrounding states.
In addition, the event strengthens the regional junior golf pipeline by expanding access to elite competition closer to home. It also creates clearer pathways to collegiate golf for young athletes in the region.
At the same time, visiting families gain exposure to Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills. That exposure continues to build the area’s reputation as a destination for high-level sports tourism.
“This is an exciting event for Rapid City,” said Domico Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Rapid City Sports Commission. “Rapid is the ideal place to host this national event, with the top-ranked public course in the state, a welcoming community and national attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park.”
What tournament week looks like
Tournament week combines elite competition with community involvement.
Wednesday, September 2
An AJGA Qualifier will give 78 junior golfers the opportunity to earn entry into the main field.
Thursday, September 3
The Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament and official practice round will take place. During the event, local businesses, civic leaders, and visiting families will play alongside elite junior golfers while raising money for charity.
Friday, September 4 through Sunday, September 6
Players will compete in a 54-hole stroke-play championship that concludes with an awards ceremony.
According to AJGA Senior Director of Development Patrick Cansfield, the event offers more than competition.
“The AJGA Junior at Red Rock is more than a tournament, it’s a destination experience,” Cansfield said. “Our partnership with the Rapid City Sports Commission reflects a shared vision of using elite junior golf to drive visitation, economic impact and national recognition, while also making AJGA competition more accessible to junior golfers throughout this region of the country and continuing to DEVELOP GOLF’S NEXT GENERATION® in a world-class, family-friendly setting.”
A call for community involvement
The AJGA and the Rapid City Sports Commission are inviting local businesses, volunteers, and community partners to take part in the championship.
Opportunities include sponsorship activation, volunteer roles throughout tournament week, and participation in the Junior-Am fundraising event. Together, these efforts are designed to increase the tournament’s economic, charitable, and community impact across the region.
For more information on partnership or volunteer opportunities, contact Trevon Wehrman, Regional Manager, South Central, at twehrman@ajga.org. Learn more about the American Junior Golf Association at ajga.org and Visit Rapid City at VisitRapidCity.com.e American Junior Golf Association at ajga.org and explore the region at VisitRapidCity.com.
