Time Was: The PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur

The inaugural PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship was held August 29-September 1, 1955, at Tacoma Country & Golf Club. The 125 entrants were boys under the age of 19 from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta.

At the banquet and trophy presentation after the stroke-play qualifying round, Erv Parent (left), president of the PNGA and future PNGA Hall of Famer, presents Bryan Copp (center) of Vancouver B.C., the medalist trophy at the conclusion of the qualifying round held on August 29. On the right is Gordon Bowers, the PNGA Representative from B.C. (Photo courtesy Tacoma Public Library)

Copp posted 1-over par in the 9-hole playoff to break a three-way tie with Gary Congdon and Bobby Pratt of Tacoma. Copp was later defeated in the final match by Ted Puetz of Seattle, with Puetz winning this inaugural PNGA Junior Boys’ Amateur Championship.

The championship has been the launching pad for several young players to go on to bigger things, like World Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples, PNGA Hall of Famer Bruce Richards, and current USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer.

The 2026 PNGA Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur Championships are held at Vandal Golf Course in Moscow, Idaho, on August 10-14.

Click here for more information about the Junior Boys’ championship; and click here for info about the Junior Girls’ championship.