Justin Thomas, Cameron Young funding South Florida PGA Junior Tour event

Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, both residents of Palm Beach County, made a significant announcement on December 12-14. They will be hosting the inaugural Cameron Young/Justin Thomas South Florida PGA Junior Tour Challenge Cup at Emerald Dunes Golf Club. This is the first event of its kind in the region and will run for five years thanks to a portion of their $300,000 Ryder Cup charity stipend donated by the two golfers.

Young and Thomas, who both come from families with PGA of America connections, decided to combine their efforts to create an exciting opportunity for the next generation of golfers. Both players have fathers who were PGA of America Golf Professionals. Thomas' father, Mike, worked at Harmony Landing Country Club in Kentucky while Young's dad, David, was at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in New York.

The two-time PGA Tour winner and four-time Major Champion Thomas, whose Ryder Cup pairing with Young at Bethpage was memorable, played in the Junior Ryder Cup as well. They believe that their shared family ties to the PGA of America and their mutual love for golf made this partnership inevitable.

The tournament involves 24 players who qualified based on their results on the South Florida PGA junior tours in 2026. Notable players include Petra Compton and Matthew Stigliano.

The Emerald Dunes Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio and renovated in 2012, will host the event. The club's Director of Golf, Lee Stroever, expressed his honor and pride in hosting what he believes is one of the best junior golf tournaments in the country.

The players will compete in teams, with Young and Thomas serving as captains and actively involved during the event. The event will also feature a pro-am on December 12 with Emerald Dunes' members.