Close House to stage 2026 PING Junior Masters final and qualifier

Close House will once again take centre stage in junior golf in 2026 as it hosts both a qualifying event and the grand final of the PING Junior Masters, reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading venues for developing young talent.

The award-winning Northumberland club — recently recognised as Junior Golf Programme of the Year — continues its long-standing commitment to creating meaningful competitive opportunities for aspiring golfers.

The 2026 series is set to eclipse previous years, featuring nine qualifying events spanning seven counties across the UK, before culminating in a full tour experience final on Close House’s Championship Colt Course on 27th October 2026. 

The breadth of events provides youngsters with invaluable competitive experience in tournament conditions, helping to accelerate their development while competing against peers from across the country. 

Each qualifying event will be played off nett scores, ensuring accessibility and giving a broader range of junior golfers the opportunity to progress to the grand final at Close House.

From every venue, two boys and one girl from the Under 12, Under 15 and Under 18 categories will earn their place in the final—creating a diverse and inclusive field representing clubs nationwide.

Originally launched in 2017 alongside the British Masters at Close House, the PING Junior Masters has grown into one of the UK’s most exciting and accessible junior series. 

Backed by PING Europe and supported by former Ryder Cup star and Close House Attached Tour Professional Lee Westwood, the event continues to provide young golfers with a taste of elite competition in a professional tournament setting.

“Since we launched the Junior Masters in 2017 alongside the British Masters at Close House the programme has gone from strength to strength,” said LIV Golf star and official attached Tour pro at Close House, Lee Westwood. 

“I am immensely proud of how it has evolved, providing young golfers the chance to compete at some fantastic courses across the UK whilst gaining invaluable competitive experience. Congratulations PING and Close House for the award winning initiative.”

“The Junior Masters is a cornerstone of our junior pathway,” said Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director at Close House. 

“It provides a competitive platform for talented young players while also supporting our wider grassroots initiatives. Our goal is not only to host great tournaments but to help create long-term engagement with the sport.”

PING Europe will again provide prizes for the grand final, underlining its continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of golfers. Dave Fanning, European Marketing Director at PING Europe, added: “The Junior Masters perfectly reflects what junior golf should be about – opportunity, development and enjoyment. We’re proud to support a series that continues to grow and create memorable experiences for young golfers.”

Beyond competition, the initiative continues to have a significant community impact. Through the Junior Masters programme, the Close House PGA Teaching Team delivers free coaching to more than 1,000 schoolchildren annually, helping introduce golf to new audiences and strengthen the sport at grassroots level.

The PING Junior Masters Final will take place at Close House on 28 October, promising a thrilling conclusion to another standout year in junior golf.