Every Memorial Day weekend since 2000, the world’s best junior golfers gather at Grayhawk to compete in the Thunderbird International Junior, a 54-hole, stroke-play tournament that features a field of 78 players ages 12-19 representing 18 states and 17 countries.

“We’re looking forward to this year’s event,” said Joe Shershenovich, director of golf for Grayhawk Golf Club. “As one of the most competitive junior golf tournaments in the world, it’s truly amazing to watch these young men and women perform. And, spectators are welcome to drop by and check it out as well. There’s a chance they’ll see the next Ricki Fowler or Jordan Spieth.”  

The list of past participants and champions includes golfers such as Ryan Moore, Kevin Na, Webb Simpson, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Jordan Spieth. Same goes for the girls. Paula Creamer, Ariya Jutanugarn, Alison Lee, Lexi Thompson, Belen Mozo and Brittany Lang also made the cut as professionals. 

Launched through a partnership between the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Fund and The Thunderbirds, by design, the tournament bearing their name has grown into one of the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world. 

“The Thunderbirds have been an integral part of developing junior golf in The Valley,” said Mike Kennedy, tournament co-chairmen and Thunderbird. “This event started on the 15th tee of a Phoenix Open pro-am. Phil Mickelson challenged The Thunderbirds to come up with a competitive AJGA event, and we all decided to make it the best.”

As Kennedy mentioned, a driving force behind the tournament’s success is one of the AJGA’s most notable alumni and three-time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson. Lefty played AJGA golf from 1985-1989, posting the most individual career boys titles in AJGA history.

Consistent with their charitable charter, The Thunderbirds donate $1,000 in the name of each player to the charity of their choice. To date, the tournament has raised nearly $300,000 for charity.

Part of the success of the tournament is the exceptional player experience. Players are assigned a roommate from another part of the world, and the event hall is transformed into a players-only hospitality hub complete with table tennis, foosball, video games and air hockey. All of the evening social events are one-of-a-kind and provide a unique way for the junior golfers to bond and forge new friendships.