Commonly referred to as simply THE OPTIMIST, the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world. In addition to top-level tournament golf, participants have the opportunity to meet new friends and have a great deal of fun in junior golf’s only "Olympic-village" setting at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Each year, more than 650 junior golfers from 25 countries participate in THE OPTIMIST. Junior golfers are required to qualify for THE OPTIMIST through one of four methods. The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is nationally ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and Golfweek and is included in the AJGA Performance Based Entry process.

For more information, please visit www.optimist.org/golf or contact Optimist Junior Golf at golf@optimist.org, (314) 371-6000, ext. 209 or toll free (800) 500-8130, ext. 209.

Six new Optimist champions were decided this week during the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

In the boys 14-15 age division, it was Emiliano Grillo of Argentina (top-right) who came out on top with a solid three rounds of golf. Grillo’s three-day total of day 72-68-73—213 placed him three strokes ahead of the competition.

In the girls 14-15 age division, a 66 on the second round helped Soo Jin Yang of South Korea (bottom-right) establish a formidable lead. Her three-round total of 71-66-72—209 was 7 under par and five strokes ahead of the competition.

The competition made great strides in round three of the boys 12-13 division but could not catch up with Thailand’s Akarinth Addison (top-center), who had a substantial lead throughout the three-day event. Addison claimed the championship with a 7-under-par 67-69-73—209.

Leading the way throughout the tournament and capturing the championship title in the girls 12-13 division was Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn (bottom-center), who finished 4 under par with a three-day 68-73-71—212.

Junior golfer Jim Liu of Smithtown, New York (top-left), played a steady two rounds of golf this week to capture the boys 10-11 first-place title in the tournament. Liu had a two-day 70-70—140 and finished the tournament on Monday 4 under par and four strokes ahead of the competition.

Just as her sister led the way in the girls 12-13 division, Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand (bottom-left) set the pace in the girls 10-11 age division. She took home first place with 72-71-72—215.

Hundreds of golfers ages 10 to 18 have traveled from throughout the world to play in the annual tournament, now in its 12th year at PGA National. Golfers ages 10 to 15 played through July 23 in three age divisions each for boys and girls: 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15. The tournament showcases some of the most talented young players in the world, many of whom could be the leading collegiate and professional golfers of tomorrow.

For the entire wrap-up article, go to www.optimist.org/golf.