The Thailand Junior Championship practice round was lively, with 120 participants joining the tour and a seminar providing focused guidance on securing study scholarships abroad.
The international youth golf tournament, known as the Thailand Junior Championship or AJGA International Pathway Series, took place from 14-16 August 2026 at Alpine Golf Resort in Chiang Mai, Ban Thi District, Lamphun Province. The official practice day on 13 August 2026 was bustling, and in the evening a seminar on studying abroad was held by IMG Academy and the International Preparatory Golf Center (IPGA). Many young golfers and their parents attended in large numbers at the main conference room of the resort's hotel. This event featured 120 golfers from various countries.
The event is primarily supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thai Domestic Power, and Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai. It is a key pathway for youth to reach the AJGA competition in the U.S. This is the second year of the event, with 120 golfers competing—72 male and 48 female—comprising the top 6 male golfers from Class A and B and the top 3 female golfers from Class A and B in the TGA, national team players for 2026 or representatives from TALGA (4 males and 2 females), qualifiers from the 2026 Junior Golf Series (Central, North, South, and Northeast regions), qualifiers from the Thailand Junior Championship Local Qualifying rounds, and invited international golfers through foreign organizations. The competition at Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai is stroke play over three days and 54 holes, divided into male and female categories (under 18). The organizer is Global Golf Management Company Limited.
Champions in both male and female categories gain full-season entry to AJGA competitions. The top 5 male golfers earn 12 stars, top 10 earn 8 stars, top 15 earn 4 stars, and the top 50% earn 1 star. Female golfers placing top 3 earn 12 stars, top 5 earn 8 stars, top 10 earn 4 stars, and top 50% earn 1 star accordingly. Additionally, the top 3 players in both male and female categories receive invitations to compete in the 2026 Development Amateur World Golf Ranking Invitational (October 2026), the 2026 NextGen Amateur World Final (October 2026), the Thailand Junior Masters (November 2026), the Black Mountain Asian Junior Masters 2027 (February 2027), the US Kids Golf Thailand Championship 2027 (April 2027), and the Thailand Junior Championship - AJGA IPS 2027 (August 2027).
On the same day, the organizers held an opening ceremony, honored by Mr. Phantupree Dabngoen (Director of Regional Sports Development) and Pro Boom Prach Rattanakul (Tournament Director), who welcomed the athletes and their parents. Later on the evening of 13 August 2026, a seminar on overseas education pathways was held, featuring Coach Greg Robertson, Assistant Head Golf Coach from TCU, and Taylor Riggs, Assistant Head Golf Coach from Iowa State, along with representatives from IMG Academy and IPGA. They provided guidance on securing scholarships and preparing for admission to prominent U.S. universities. Attendees shared goals both academically and athletically, paving the way toward professional golf careers with quality dedication.