Bubba Conlee National Junior
A 54-hole championship at the venue where Al Geiberger shot the first-ever 59
The story
The Bubba Conlee National Junior is a tournament born from tragedy and sustained by purpose. James Larry "Bubba" Conlee, Jr. was a premier young golfer in the Mid-South who died at the peak of his junior career. His father, Larry Conlee, founded the tournament in 1981 to perpetuate his son's aspirations of achieving excellence in the game of golf. That mission — excellence, not just participation — defines every aspect of the event. The venue is significant. Colonial Country Club in Memphis is where Al Geiberger shot the first-ever 59 in PGA Tour competition during the 1977 Memphis Classic. When juniors walk these fairways, they are walking in the footsteps of genuine golf history. The club has hosted professional events for decades, and the conditioning and setup reflect that heritage. The tournament's Wall of Champions reads like a preview of future college golf rosters. Recent champions have progressed to programs at UCLA, Vanderbilt, and Auburn. Past participants include Shaun Micheel (PGA Championship winner) and David Gossett (U.S. Amateur champion). The professional dress code and AJGA Code of Conduct are enforced without exception — this is a tournament that treats juniors like professionals and expects them to act accordingly. For 37+ years, the Bubba Conlee has maintained its position as one of the premier junior events in the Southeast without the corporate sponsorship or media attention that AJGA invitational events receive. It succeeds on reputation alone.
The venue
Synonymous with professional golf history — most notably as the site where Al Geiberger fired the first-ever 59 in PGA Tour competition in 1977. The long-time host of the Memphis Open provides a prestigious backdrop that most juniors will never forget.
Course setup: Colonial Country Club plays around 6,700-6,900 yards for the championship division. The course is a traditional Southern layout — tree-lined fairways, bermuda turf, and greens that are fast but fair. The Memphis heat and humidity in the summer months add a physical component that tests endurance. Course management is rewarded over raw power.
Format
Championship-level stroke play drawing some of the nation's best talent. Professional dress code enforced. AJGA Code of Conduct applies. The format is straightforward — 54 holes, lowest score wins.
Cut: No
Field
Elite field players · By application
Coach verdict
SEC coaches — particularly from programs at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Arkansas — follow this event closely. The Wall of Champions creates accountability: winning here means something specific, and coaches respect it.
Best for: Best for 15-18. The 54-hole format and professional standards make this most appropriate for juniors who are ready for a serious competitive experience. Players in the 13-14 range can benefit if they are mature enough to handle the expectations.
College scouting: SEC, Big Ten, ACC programs
Competitive insight
The Bubba Conlee is a sleeper event in terms of recruiting value. It does not get the national media coverage of AJGA invitationals, but SEC and Mid-South coaches know the field quality. The no-cut, 54-hole format means every player gets three full rounds to showcase their game. The enforced dress code and conduct standards also signal to coaches that the players here take the game seriously.
Scoring context: Winning scores are typically 6-10 under par for 54 holes. Competitive rounds fall in the 69-73 range. The heat and humidity can push scores higher in the afternoon rounds. Consistent ball-striking is more important than low scoring — coaches want to see how players manage the full 54 holes.
Application tip
Apply well before the deadline. The field is selected by application, and the committee favors players with demonstrated competitive records. Include tournament results and any AJGA or state ranking information. The event is typically held in the summer — plan for Memphis heat.
What makes it different
Notable alumni
Recent champions
| Year | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Macauley Myers | Lucy Cook |
| 2024 | Joshua Kim | Emma Wang |
| 2023 | Jon Ed Steed | Amelie Zalsman |
| 2022 | Jon Ed Steed | Alice Ziyi Zhao |
| 2021 | Christian Pardue | Natalie Yen |
Is it worth the travel?
high valueStrong field, historic venue, significant SEC recruiting presence. Memphis is affordable and accessible. The combination of PGA Tour history and the memorial tradition makes this a worthwhile trip for any serious junior in the Southeast or Midwest.