In December of 1995, Optimist International established a new event called the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC). MISSION STATEMENT The OIJGC was created to provide an "olympic-village" milieu where children of all nations can experience different cultures and obtain a better cultural understanding of each other in the pursuit of world peace.

Toward this end, every evening will feature a fun function, providing an atmosphere conducive to friendship and camaraderie among themselves and Optimist volunteers.

Last year the first OIJGC was conducted at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Miami, Florida. It was a tremendous success with 501 junior golfers coming from about 20 countries including the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 500 parents and siblings and Optimists attending.

The district junior golf chairs did an outstanding job and our participation by the districts was the highest it has ever been. About 4,000 junior golfers played in our 100+ qualifying tournaments.

This year, in 1996, the OIJGC will be conducted at the famous PGA National Golf Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Due to the success of our first OIJGC at Doral, PGA National became aware of us and made a very generous offer. It expected that PGA National will be the long-term home of the OIJGC.

LPGA tour champion, Michelle McGann, has agreed to be our honorary chairperson. This was facilitated by PGA National. PGA National is also the home of the P.G.A. The golf courses at PGA National, designed by Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, have hosted multiple PGA and Senior PGA tournaments.