The 55th edition of the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship is set to be one to remember.
The Biltmore Golf Course — longtime host of the prestigious junior tournament in Coral Gables — is undergoing a project to restore the course to its original 1925 Donald Ross design. The restoration project, which is set to be completed in December, will provide the competitors of the Junior Orange Bowl a new and inviting challenge on the competitive amateur circuit.
“The restoration to the original Donald Ross design will offer the players a challenging setup of a Ross layout,” said J. R. Steinbauer, tournament director of the International Golf Championship. “With the new length of the course it will be a great test for the top junior players in the world.”
Junior Orange Bowl Golf Committee chair Steven Gonzalez said, “The Biltmore Hotel and Golf Course have always been great partners and hosts to the Junior Orange Bowl, and we know our tournament, the players, and the community will benefit from this project. We’re looking forward to being the first tournament to play on the restored course.”
While the course plans to re-open on Dec. 15, the championship will shift back from its traditional start date one week to ensure the course is in optimum condition for the Junior Orange Bowl. The tournament dates will be Jan. 2-6, 2019 for this year.
Bob Coman, director of Golf at The Biltmore, said that the move will benefit all involved.
“We want to provide the ultimate golf experience to the top junior players in the world on the restored 1925 Donald Ross layout,” Coman said. “By moving the start of the Junior Orange Bowl one week, it will give our team extra time to ensure the course will be in its best possible playing condition.”
The International Golf Championship is on its 55th year and it is one of the Junior Orange Bowl Festival’s premier athletic events. Annually hosting nearly 100 of the world’s top junior golfers, the tournament has hosted top current professionals like Nick Price, Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson and 2016 Olympic Medalists Inbee Park (Gold) and Matt Kuchar (Bronze).
For tournament information about the Junior Orange Bowl Golf Championship, call 305-461-1959 or send email to golf@jrorangebowl.org.
