Puerto Rico Junior Open to offer PGA TOUR exemption

The American Junior Golf Association will return to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, January 13-16, for the Puerto Rico Junior Open, and for the second year, the champion will earn an exemption into the PGA TOURs 2012 Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com. Held on the Championship Course at Trump International Golf Club, the Puerto Rico Junior Open will give participants a chance to test their skills on a TOUR course.

The tournament field will consist of 78 boys and the tournament application deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. ET. The event marks the only AJGA Open event to offer a PGA TOUR exemption to its champion.

In 2011, Jason Roets of Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., won the inaugural event, and teed it up with the pros in March.

It doesnt happen often for kids my age to play an event like this, Roets, who shot 76-71 and missed the cut by just four shots, said. To be able to compete with the pros, to show that it is possible for me to do it, thats an awesome experience.

The Puerto Rico Golf Association, a non-profit organization founded in 1954 as the governing body of amateur golf in Puerto Rico, also played an integral role in making this event possible.

The AJGA is committed to providing exciting opportunities for our membership, said Jason Ross, vice president of tournament development. With the support of the Puerto Rico Golf Association and Puerto Rico Tourism Company, we are able to further expand our tournament schedule to include another PGA TOUR-caliber course.

Designed by PGA Professional Tom Kite, Trump International Golf Club is made up of two 18-hole championship courses - the Championship and the International. Host to the PGA TOUR s Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com, the Championship Course extends along the Atlantic Ocean and offers views of the Caribbean National Rainforest of El Yunque.

The PGA TOUR selected Trump International Golf Club as one of the top two "Best On-Site Presentations, and the Championship Course was ranked as the 19th Best Tour Course You Can Play by Golfweek in 2010.

Take advantage of the chance to play in Puerto Rico and possibly earn an exemption into a PGA TOUR event. Visit the AJGA Player Center to apply to the Puerto Rico Junior Open today!