Junior Golf

Spirit of the Tour

darlington golf new jerseyThe Pioneer Tour is where young people meet the traditions of the game. The three stages of the program are designed as an enjoyable recreational activity that educates the new golfer. From early lessons at the Clinic to the competition of The Tour a foundation of proper etiquette, honesty, integrity, responsibility and supportive companionship prepares the participants for a life time of enjoyment on the golf course.

A Pioneer Tour event is different than a family outing. The player is responsible from the time he or she arrives until the time they leave. They sign in, listen to the instructions of the day, find their groups and starting hole, play with integrity, score for themselves and others and leave the golf course better then they found it. You are expected to carry yourself in a manner fitting the game; shirts are tucked in, hats are worn forward and a firm hand shake is expected when greeting volunteers and other players.

Traditions and rules matter. It’s a place where competition, enjoyment and respect collide but none are lost at the expense of the other. On The Tour players are randomly paired to increase the quantity of young golfers in their sphere of friends. Lifelong friendship begin when people come together to enjoy a mutual interest. The Pioneer Tour fosters that opportunity on the golf courses of Bergen County.

Applications

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 2024 CLINIC & Q-TOUR APPLICATIONS WILL BE POSTED BY MAY 1.

2024 JUNIOR TOUR APPLICATION WILL BE POSTED BY JUNE 1.

The CLINIC is a BEGINNER INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM for ages 8-18.  

Click To Print: Pioneer Clinic APPLICATION
MUST PRINT & READ PROGRAM INFORMATION. Click To Print: Pioneer Clinic PROGRAM INFORMATION


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 The Q-TOUR is an INTERMEDIATE PROGRAM for ages 9-18, who understand the basics but cannot consistently break 60 for nine holes.  NOTE: All children aged 9-12 who are interested in playing in the 9-12 year old division in The Pioneer Junior Tour must first participate and pass qualifying tests on the Q-Tour to be eligible to advance to The Pioneer Junior Tour.  
Click To Print: Pioneer Q Tour APPLICATION
MUST PRINT & READ PROGRAM INFORMATION. Click To Print: Pioneer Q Tour PROGRAM INFORMATION

 

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 The Pioneer JUNIOR TOUR is COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT PLAY for ages 13-18. NOTE: To be eligible to play in the 9-12 year old division, child must first participate and qualify on the Q-Tour before they can advance to the Pioneer Junior Tour.

Click Here To Print: Pioneer Junior Tour APPLICATION
Click Here To Print: Pioneer Junior Tour SCHEDULE & INFORMATION  MUST PRINT & KEEP FOR TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE, DIVISION START TIMES & PROGRAM INFO:

Results

2023

July 6, 2023
Pioneer Tour Masters Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points Week 1

July 10, 2023
Pioneer Tour Heritage Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 2

July 17, 2023
Pioneer Tour Memorial Div.I thru IV Scores 
Pioneer Tour Points Thru Week 3

July 24, 2023
Pioneer Tour Open Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 4 

July 31, 2023
Pioneer Tour PGA Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 5

August 7, 2023
Pioneer Tour Players Championship
            ALL DIVISIONS RAINED OUT

August 14, 2023
Pioneer Tour Yaz Bracket Final
Pioneer Tour Yaz Consalvo Qualifier Divisions 1 thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 7

August 21, 2023 Tour Championship:
Pioneer Tour Championship Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 8 - Final Tally

PIONEER TOUR FINALISTS 2023

 

2022

July 7, 2022
Pioneer Tour Masters Divisions IV
SEE HERITAGE

July 11, 2022
Pioneer Tour Heritage Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 2

July 18, 2022
Pioneer Tour Memorial Div.I thru IV Scores **The Memorial had to be CANCELLED due to heavy rain & unplayable course conditions**
Pioneer Tour Points Thru Week 3

July 25, 2022
Pioneer Tour Open Division's I, II, & III **The Open was CALLED for Div.'s I, II, III due to heavy rain & unplayable course conditions**
Pioneer Tour Open Division IV only
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 4 Division IV only

August 1, 2022
Pioneer Tour PGA Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 5

August 8, 2022

Pioneer Tour Players Championship Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 6

August 15, 2022

Pioneer Tour Yaz Bracket Final
Pioneer Tour Yaz Consalvo Qualifier Divisions 1 thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 7

August 29, 2022 - TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP - (Rescheduled from 8/22/22 due to rain)

Tour Championship: AT SOLDIER HILL GC
Pioneer Tour Championship Divisions I thru IV
Pioneer Tour Points thru Week 8 - Final Tally

PIONEER TOUR FINALISTS 2022!

 

History

darlington golf new jersey

It began in 1993 when Bergen Community College Golf Coach Doug Yennie and his wife Linda approached the Department of Parks with an idea to invigorate junior golf in Bergen County. Former Director of Parks, Wolfgang Albrecht, Jr. heard the plan and whole heartedly supported the plan offering the county golf courses for the tournaments and the county golf staff as program administrators. Golf Operation Manager, Angela Tennaro, Management Specialist, Lynn Bartlett and Recreation Specialist, Tim Bassett added the program to their duties while Doug and Linda provided direction. Over 100 young participants played in those first three golf events. The enthusiasm was overwhelming from the players, parents and the press. The Record’s Kevin Czerwinski provided weekly coverage of the events with generous commentary on the success of the program and its benefit to the youth of the county.

Great interest in the Tour brought to light the need for a program of basic instruction. The Pioneer Clinic began in 1995. It was developed to provide beginners with sound fundamentals in both golf mechanics and golf etiquette. The pros of the Darlington Driving Range assisted the Parks staff and volunteer high school coaches in bringing this introductory program to the kids.

 In 1997 a new administrative team manned the helm of Bergen County golf. General Manager Kevin Purcell and Management Specialist Della Carroll brought a wealth of experience and passion to the golf operation. The new vitality lead to a master plan for the golf courses and an expanded adult tournament schedule. The junior golf program continued to flourish through the transition with Doug and Linda giving both their time and energy to set the path.

 

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 The Q-Tour was added in 1998 as an intermediate program between the instruction of The Clinic and the competition of The Tour. It provided access to a golf course for those not yet ready to play on their own. It was developed under the watchful eye of father and son team Dick and Shawn Bennett. These high school coaches helped start a program that allowed kids to play without parental involvement. Groups of four play as many holes as they can in the two-hour session, held once a week for five weeks. An adult walks with each group to help the players get around the course. Proper etiquette, pace of play and safety on the course are all stressed in this program.

Golfers who have reached the age of 13 or have qualified through the Q-Tour are eligible to participate on The Pioneer Tour. Four divisions group participants by age and gender: Division I Boys (16-18), Division II Boys (13-15), Division III Girls (13-18), Division IV Boys & Girls (9-12). They compete on both public and private courses throughout the area. Competition is fierce but camaraderie rules the day. While the Tour has produced a number of fine golfers the vast majority participate for the challenge and enjoyment of the game.

In a county where tee times are at a premium it is often difficult for young golfers to find a place to play. The Clinic, Q-Tour and Pioneer Tour introduce young golfers to the game and provide opportunity for their interest. Over eight hundred kids participate in the program every year. The County Executive, Board of Commissioners and the Parks Department continue to commit the necessary resources for this extraordinary program. Their unwavering support and the dedication of the countless volunteers guarantee the success of the program and the growth of junior golf in Bergen County.

Junior Links

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Quick Links

Darlington

277 Campgaw Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 634-3160

Rockleigh

15 Paris Ave
Rockleigh, NJ 07647
(201) 768-6354

Orchard Hills

404 Paramus Road
Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 447-3782

Soldier Hill

99 Palisade Avenue
Emerson, NJ, 07630
(201) 336-6031

Overpeck

273 East Cedar Lane
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 336 7298

Valley Brook

15 Rivervale Road
River Vale, NJ 07675
(201) 664-5890