Social distancing won't stop optimism. Stay safe at home

I saw a meme on Facebook that said March came in like a lion and went out like a seven-headed beast. Oh my, that is the truth!

Unprecedented times have arisen from a foe never seen before: COVID-19. The coronavirus has stalled the economy, placed health care workers on the frontline, and sent individuals into isolation to "flatten the curve," a reference to limiting the number of deaths that could occur if we do nothing to address its virulence. Cities, states, and countries around the world have taken this warning seriously and put social distancing orders in place.

Social distancing means we must stay at least six feet apart from others when we are outside and more directly, we should stay inside and safe at home. Only essential workers should be reporting to work and all social gatherings of ten or more have been canceled or postponed.

Staying with these orders, Optimist International has canceled its 2020 Optimist International Convention, the 2020 Junior Optimist Convention, and the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. More information may be found here.

The Optimist Scholarship Contests will continue and have been shifted to online programs. Information for competing in the Optimist International World Oratorical Championships will come directly from Optimist International. The PNW District competition will be held via ZOOM on April 25, 2020, and more information will be posted on Facebook as received. Click here for general directions to host an online contest. 

Now for our most important announcement:
Social distancing won't stop optimism. Stay safe at home. 

Click here to connect with the PNW District Optimist Clubs on Facebook.

Click here to connect with Optimist International on Facebook.

Stay connected, stay positive, and stay well.

Qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Cornelius, Oregon

The Hillsboro Optimist Club is proud to once again host the PNW District - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships Qualifying tournament for the US.

Chairman Al Young has provided the following information for junior golfers to enter at large or for Optimist Clubs in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to enroll players to participate.

The tournament will be held May 18, 2019, at Forest Hills Golf Course in Cornelius, Oregon. Registration fee is $50 and range balls are provided. A light lunch is included and will be served before tee-off at noon.

The age divisions offered in the tournament are:

Boys: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18

Girls: 10-12, 13-14, 15-18

Players may register online at this link: PNW District Junior Golf Qualifier.

Junior golfers that win or qualify at this event may move forward to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Boasting an international field, this tournament will take place at Trump National Doral Miami, July 16-31, 2019.

Through the money raised with the tournament, the District endeavors to provide financial support for winners to attend the international championship. The amount available may vary and there is no guarantee that support will be available beyond those that qualify in the 16-18 division.

For full information, contact tournament director Al Young by email or call 503-648-5213.

The PNW Optimist District has recently expanded to include Utah. This year, and perhaps in following years as well, the Junior Golf Qualifying Tournament for Utah players will remain in Utah. Find out more about the Optimist International Junior Golf qualifying tournament in Utah here.

Photo by Jack Thornton. 

It's time for Optimist Junior Golf in British Columbia

Morgan Creek Golf Course, 3500 Morgan Creek Way, Surrey, British Columbia, is the location for the first PNW Optimist District Qualifying Tournament (CAN) for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships 2019.

The tournament will take place April 13-14, 2019 for boys 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18 and girls 10-12, 13-14, 15-18. The cost for the two-day qualifier is $189 CA.

In addition to the opportunity to qualify to advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, junior golfers at this event will enjoy:

• Two rounds of golf
• Fabulous TaylorMade tee gift for every player 
• PLYR Long Drive Competition
• PLYR Closest-to-the-Pin Competition
• Booster Juice Come Back Award
• Awards for top finishers in each division
• Quality prizes for top finishers in each division
• Lots of Draw Prizes for the full field
• Refreshments 
• Pizza from Boston Pizza

The MJT (Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour) also offers the Ford Hole in One Contest. See the rules here. 

This will be the first Optimist Junior Golf Qualifying Tournament (CAN) since the passing of Harry White. In addition to being the PNW District Junior Golf Chair in Canada, Harry was the founder and coordinator of the Junior Linkster Tour and a great Optimist responsible for bringing junior golf and other Optimist programs to his community for many years. 

To find out more about this tournament or how the Vancouver Optimist Club members are carrying on his legacy, please contact Bruce Main.

Please click here to find out more and register for the PNW Optimist District Qualifying Tournament (CAN).

Please click here to find out more about the Optimist Junior Golf Championships.

Photo credit: Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour

Tee-it up for Optimist Junior Golf

For Optimist Clubs, the Spring season brings Easter egg hunts, scholarship contests, youth appreciation activities, and so much more, including junior golf. The PNW District-Optimist International is fortunate to have two separate qualifying tournaments for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, one in Canada and one in the US.

The first takes place this month, April 22, 2018, at King's Link Golf Course, Ladner, British Columbia. Coordinated with the help of the Vancouver, BC Optimist Club, it is part of the Junior Linkster Tour, and non-members are welcome to participate. Tour members registration fee is $75 and non-members fee is $85.00. For more information, contact Mike Riske.

In the US, the Hillsboro, Oregon Optimist Club organizes the qualifying tournament. It will be held May 19, Forest Hills Golf Course, Cornelius, Oregon. The registration fee is $50. More information is available from tournament director Al Young.

Both tournaments welcome boys and girls in the following divisions: Boys 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18; and Girls 10-12, 13-14, 15-18. In order to be eligible, the golfer must not turn 19 on or before August 1, 2018. Any golfer who has attended college is no longer considered a junior golfer and is not eligible to participate. 

There are a limited number of golfers in each division who will advance to the international championships provided they shoot the minimum qualifying score. Financial support to attend the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will be advised by the tournament director. 

The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will take place July 17-August 1, 2018, PGA National Resort and Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, US. Find out all about THE OPTIMIST, with more than 600 international junior golfers competing each year. 

Photo credit: (top) Michelle Fedosoff, (bottom) Jack Thornton

Hillsboro Optimist Club hosts PNW District Optimist Junior Golf Championship qualifier

The Hillsboro Optimist Club hosts the PNW District Junior

Golf Championship Tournament in the United States where junior golfers have the opportunity to qualify for The Optimist, one of the largest international tournaments for children through age 18.

The tournament was held at the Forest Hills Golf Course in Forest Grove, Oregon on May 20, 2017. Jack Thornton reports, "We had great weather and a great field."

The results follow: 

Boys 16-18
Q 73 17 Mathew Werner
83 17 Dylan Adams
Q 75 18 Atlas Asaro
Q 69 17 Keith Lobis
Q 77 17 Casey Cameron

Boys 14-15
Q 77 14 Andrew Benhardt

Boys 12-13
91 13 Arthur Venderby

Girls 15-18
Q 82 15 Olivia Venderby
93 17 Melia Nordberg
Q 83 15 Elli Gordon

Girls 13-14
Q 86 14 Natalie Gregory
Q 77 14 Elise Deschane

Girls 10-12
98 10 Natalie Ten
Q 97 12 Jade Gruher

Q 89 12 Emily Song

The Hillsboro Optimist Club stepped-up to host the tournament in 2007 and have worked to send more junior golfers to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships tournament in Florida since that time. 

The PNW District, unfortunately, does not include the tournament in its annual budget. 

This year, a number of local businesses and individuals were hole sponsors and tournament sponsors, providing the cash needed to support the tournament and give the opportunity for golfers to advance. 

The Beaverton Optimist Club joined in as a Silver Sponsor. 

Many thanks to the Hillsboro Optimist Club for their ongoing support of this important Optimist International program. 

Photos courtesy of Jack Thornton. 

The Optimist qualifiers are scheduled for the Pacific Northwest Optimist Clubs

It's spring! The grass is getting greener, the sun is setting later, and everyone wants to be outside. For some, outside means on the golf course and those are the folks this post is written for. If your Optimist Club likes golf or if you know some talented young golfers or even some who are just getting started with the game, we want you to know that there are two opportunities for junior golfers to qualify for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in the Pacific Northwest.

The first tournament will take place in Canada. Hosted by Tournament Director Harry White and the Vancouver Optimist Club through the Junior Linkster Program, the qualifier is scheduled as follows:

Date: April 30, 2017
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Golf Course: Langara Golf Club
Age Divisions Offered: BOYS 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18 & GIRLS 10-12, 13-14, 15-18
Registration Fee: $75.00 Cdn.
Register online at the Junior Linkster Tour Canada page.

The second tournament is in the United States. Hosted by Tournament Director Al Young and the Hillsboro Optimist Club, the qualifier is scheduled as follows:

Date: May 20, 2017
Location: Cornelius, Oregon
Golf Course: Forest Hills Golf Course
Age Divisions Offered: BOYS 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-18 & GIRLS 10-12, 13-14, 15-18
Registration Fee: $50.00 US
Register online at the US PNW Northwest District Qualifier page.

Winning players in the top age categories are eligible to move forward to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Click to learn more about this world class event welcoming more than 600 junior golfers from 40 nations. 

Promise to live the Creed 1.9

This week we want to highlight one of Optimist International's growing youth sports programs and what better way is there to do it than to recognize the veteran junior golf chairperson from the Vancouver, BC Optimist Club: Harry White.

Harry has promised to live the Optimist Creed this year, and every year. He says his favorite line of the Optimist creed is "To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own." He goes on to explain: 

"This is a particularly good fit for junior golfers as in the Optimist Junior Linkster Tour program we have ages 4 to 18 (Optimist International golf is age 9-18) and all level of player take part, with the more experienced and skilled golfers take on the role of mentor to the younger "grass roots" beginners. And, the converse has also proven to be the case, with highly skilled younger junior golfers, providing inspiration to the older players with their significant achievements at golf. Children enjoy the ancient and honourable game - and it is because it is fun.  Northwest juniors all report what a great time they had and fun!

Optimists in Vancouver, BC became involved with junior golf in 1979 when our Club was asked to organize a competition to qualify golfers to compete in the Optimist Junior World Golf Championship, held annually in San Diego, California, at the Torrey Pines GC and other San Diego area courses. Optimist volunteers in the area would provide housing and transportation to the golf courses. This was a great success and impacted the interest in junior golf in B.C. and the Northwest significantly. Tiger Woods started playing in the mid 1980's and provided another boost to Optimist Junior golf and golf in general. The Optimist Junior World Championships saw growth from 300 players to over 600 players and the challenge of Optimists to keep up grew increasingly difficult. In 1993, Optimist International decided to conduct their own 100% Optimist International Junior Championship and began play in Florida in 1994, where the competition has remained ever since. (The Junior World event in San Diego continues also but with other sponsors). Junior golfers from all over the Optimist world qualify and take part yearly in both events, with Optimist International also operating a special "Optimist Champions" event in November, annually, and other satellite events in the Spring time. I highly recommend that each Optimist Club promote the junior golf opportunities there.

The link to Optimist International Junior Golf at http://www.optimist.org/e/juniorgolf_delete/about1.cfm  has video and other information that puts out graphic evidence of children having fun and enjoying the unique Optimist junior golf program."

It's easy to see that Harry has a passion for the Optimist Junior Golf Program and the Junior Linksters. Our thanks go to him for his leadership throughout the years. When tournament dates for 2017 are solidified, they will be shown on this website. 

If you want to share how you have promised to live the Optimist Creed, please email a photo here.

Optimist Clubs should plan now for Junior Golf prequalifiers

Question: It's February. Is that too early to start thinking about Junior Golf?
Answer: Of course not! Optimist International Junior Golf is one of our largest programs and gets year-round attention from around the world.

The Pacific Northwest District - Optimist International participates in the Optimist International 
Junior Golf Championships. Junior golfers have the opportunity to participate in two different qualifying tournaments. The first tournament is held in British Columbia and the second will be held in Oregon.

Junior golfers may register at-large; however Optimist Clubs may also host prequalifying tournaments and move the winning golfers forward. Alternatively, Optimist Clubs may sponsor golfers, as many as they like, into the tournament in their country of residence.

For more information, please visit www.optimist.org/juniorgolf. 

CA - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships 2016 (qualifier)
Golf Course: Langara Golf Club
Location: Vancouver, BC
Date: April 30, 2016
Registration fee: $75 CA
Registration deadline: April 25, 2016
Tournament Director: Harry White

US - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships 2016 (qualifier)
Golf Course: Forest Hills Golf Course
Location: Cornelius, OR
Date: June 25, 2016
Registration fee: $50 US
Registration Deadline: June 18, 2016
Tournament Director: Chris Hill

Video created by Jack Thornton, Hillsboro Optimist Club shows scenes from the 2015 US tournament.

PNW Optimist Clubs advance junior golfers to the OIJGC

The PNW District Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (US) was held on June 19, 2015.

According to Chairperson Chris Hill, four junior golfers have qualified and registered to advance to the OPTIMIST at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, July 16-31, 2015.

Those advancing are:

Samuel Pyon, boys 14-15
Matt Marrese, boys 16-18

Natalie Gregory, girls 10-12
Lanie Sticka, girls 13-14

The golf tournament was coordinated by the Hillsboro Optimist Club.

Optimist International Junior Golf Championships qualifying tournament announced

The qualifying tournament for the PNW District US will be held Friday, June 19, 2015. The tournament moves this year to Forest Hills Golf Course in Cornelius, Oregon. It's estimated that the golfers will tee off at approximately 7:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $50.

Junior golfers can register online and find out more at:
https://sites.google.com/site/pnwusoptimistgolf/tournament-information

The tournament is advertised on the Washington, Oregon, and Idaho junior golf websites. In addition, we need help at the club level. To increase participation in the PNW qualifier, we need local chapters to share this information with high school golf teams in their communities. Even better, sponsor a golfer to compete in the qualifying tournament! Any suggestions or recommendations on how to increase participation would be much appreciated.

Contact Chris Hill at 503.780.2570 or 503.640.7577.

Junior Golf: Results from the US qualifier

The results are in from the PNW District Optimist International Junior Golf Championships qualifying tournament, US division.  The top scores are:

Boys 10-11
1st pl. Mateo Fuenmayor score = 81

Boys 12-13
1st Pl. Samuel Pyon score = 76

Boys 14-15
1st Pl. Nicholas Timm score = 84

Boys 16-18
1st Pl. Giebien Na score = 71

Girls 13-14
1st Pl. Megan Sells score = 102

Girls 15 - 18
1st Pl Jennifer Krause score = 80

The tournament was held June 14, 2014. The Hillsboro Optimist Club and District Chair Chris Hill hosted 18 players. Moving on to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships in Florida are Giebien Na and Jennifer Krause.

Please enjoy some scenes from the day.
Optimist International Junior Golf Championships - PNW District, US Division

Get your Optimist Club involved in Junior Golf

The US division*qualifying tournament for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship  in the PNW District will be held Thursday, June 20, 2013 at the Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro, Oregon.

The Hillsboro Optimist Club has been organizing this event for a number of years giving young golfers in the Oregon area the opportunity to advance to the OPTIMIST.  District Chair Chris Hill says he would like to see other Optimist Clubs in the district embrace the tournament as a program that they participate in every year.

Optimist Clubs can hold pre-qualifying tournaments and sponsor the winning golfers to attend the District Tournament. Or they can choose to send golfers without holding tournaments. According to Chris, golfers can also enter at-large, without a club sponsor and that is why there are typically a large number of junior golfers in the tournament from Oregon; they learn about it from their golf coach or other members on their golf team at school and register as they would any number of tournaments over the summer. For other states, the distance makes the tournament out of sight and out of mind. That's why a club sponsor is needed to help with promotion.

It's pretty easy:

• Download the application here. 
• Email or mail the applicationto your high school golf coach. 
• Post on the bulletin board at your local golf club. 

To get more involved, ask your Optimist Club to support sending two winners, a boy and a girl, to the district qualifying tournament.

For the more ambitious, hold a club-level junior golf tournament. For less than $500 and a day on the golf course, your Optimist Club can hold a tournament and send junior golfers to the district qualifier. Just ask your local golf pro how.

The big prize for district winners is a trip to the PGA National Resort & Spa for the 2013 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, July 25 to August 4, where they play against more than 600 golfers from around the world.

*In British Columbia, junior golfers participate through the Jr. Linkster program. The qualifying tournament for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships will be held on June 8, 2013. Please contact District Chair Harry White for more information.

PNW District junior golfers qualify for THE OPTIMIST

Friday, June 22, 2012 - It was a rainy day at the Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro, Oregon, but that didn't deter the hardy junior golfers at the PNW-US District qualifier for the  Optimist International Junior Golf Championships from playing some outstanding rounds of golf.

Finishing with a round of 68 and placing first in the boys 16-18 division was David Ganz followed by Sean Destro, 74 and Daniel Badaracco, 76.

In other divisions:
Girls 13 -14
Bridget Standard - 85
Rio Smith - 89

Boys 10-11
Samuel Pyon - 77
Drew Halili - 80

Boys 12-13
Timothy Lee - 81
Elijah Lai - 82

Boys 14-15
Brian Humphreys - 67
Trent Standard - 75
Joash Farlow - 77

All golfers are eligible to attend the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Registration must be completed and confirmed via the PNW District following Optimist International rules. Please click on the links to find more information from Optimist International Junior Golf or the PNW District.

Many thanks to District Tournament Chair Chris Hill for the pictures. Chris has offered to add an album to the PNW District Facebook page. Please be sure to watch for more.

Click here for the post about qualified junior golfers from BC Canada.

Calling all Junior Golfers!

http://goo.gl/vNrie

The deadline to register for the PNW District - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships qualifier for US golfers is June 8. Please click on the picture to download an entry form.

The tournament will be held on June 22, 2012. As has been the case for several years, the tournament will be held at Meriwether National Golf Club in Hillsboro, Oregon. For more information, please contact:

Chris Hill, Tournament Director
theseus80@hotmail.com 
503.780.2570 (c)
503.640.5363 (w)

Please note the age eligibility information and the qualifying information on the entry form. Thank you.

Results announced for the PNW District US Qualifier - Optimist International Junior Golf Championships

Forty-two junior golfers participated in the PNW District US Qualifier for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships on Sunday, June 12. Taking first place trophies were:

• Alistair Doherty, Boys 16-18; 
• Timothy Graham, Boys 14-15; 
• Christopher Kappes, Boys 12-13; 
• Sean McHugh, Boys 10-11
• Juhee Lee, Girls 15-18; 
• Amanda Elich, Girls 12-13; 
• Hannah Archuleta, Girls10-12. 

Congratulations to the golfers!

Many thanks to Tournament Director Chris Hill and the Hillsboro Optimist Club for coordinating the Junior Golf Qualifier on behalf of the PNW District -US. 

Photos courtesy of Chris Hill.

Optimist International Junior Golf programs teeing off soon

Mark Baer, Meridian, ID represented the
PNW District US in 2010

Junior golfers in the US portion of the Pacific Northwest District - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington - please mark your calendars for June 12. That is the date of the PNW District US Qualifier for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships to be played at the Meriwether National Golf Club, Hillsboro, OR.

More information, including registration details and club pre-qualifiying tournaments will be available soon at https://sites.google.com/site/pnwusoptimistgolf/home. The tournament director is Chris Hill.

In British Columbia, junior golfers get off to an earlier start with the Junior Linkster Program and threfore, PNW District Canada Qualifier for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships, to be held at the Langara Golf Course, Vancouver, BC, is scheduled for April 20 to May 1.  Different ages will play on different days.

More information will be available soon at https://sites.google.com/site/pnwcanoptimistgolf/tournament-information. The tournament director is Harry White.

Please note: The pages above for the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships were created by the Junior Golf Program Department at Optimist International. They are not maintained by the PNW District.

The main page for Optimist International Junior Golf is http://www.optimist.org/GolfersMenu.cfm.