Scottie Scheffler and wife Meredith make huge announcement ahead of 2026 season

Scottie Scheffler and his wife Meredith have announced the launch of the Randy Smith Junior Tour - a free and inclusive junior golf circuit giving children across Texas access to the game without financial barriers.

Created in partnership with the Northern Texas PGA (NTPGA), Scheffler's new initiative will target boys and girls aged six to 12, removing membership and entry fees entirely.

Scheffler's wife Meredith will also play an active role in developing the programme, which aims to make golf more welcoming and affordable for families.

The couple, who married in 2020 and welcomed their first child Bennett in 2024, said the project reflects their shared commitment to giving back to the game and community that shaped Scheffler's career.

"This tour is about giving kids the same gift Randy gave me," Scheffler told The Dallas Morning News.

"He taught me that golf is about more than just scores. It’s about character, respect, and the people who help you along the way. 

"That’s the legacy that Meredith and I are excited to pass on."

Scheffler's new junior golf tour is named in honour of his long-time coach and mentor Randy Smith, who has guided him ever since he was six years old. 

Many golf fans consider Scheffler's golf swing is one of the most peculiar in PGA Tour history as a result of his famous 'Scheffler Shuffle'.

Scheffler's right foot slides forward at impact while his weight shifts to his left side.

This movement is a natural part of his swing, helping him generate power by ensuring all his weight goes through the ball.

Smith never taught Scheffler this unique move.

Instead of correcting it, Smith recognised Scheffler's footwork was an intrinsic part of his athletic swing and let him embrace it.

Given Scheffler is currently a four-time major champion and winner of 19 PGA Tour titles, it's fair to say Smith was right to do that. 

Smith, the pro emeritus at Royal Oaks Country Club and a PGA Hall of Fame member, has been instrumental in developing junior golf in Texas for decades.

The Randy Smith Junior Golf Tour will launch in 2026 and will feature 10–12 events across North Texas, all built around fun, learning and sportsmanship rather than competition.

Randy Smith Junior Golf Tour: Key Details

• Ages: 6–12 (boys and girls, divided by age groups)
• Courses: Par-3 layouts using 6- or 9-hole formats
• Format: 4-player teams (each plays their own ball)
• Guidance: High school golfers mentoring younger players
• Scoring: Non-competitive “stamp system” rewarding effort
• Parents: Encouraged to spectate, but not caddie
• Finish: Ice cream celebrations for all participants

Scheffler’s junior golf initiative comes amid rising costs in youth sports that often limit participation.

By removing those financial barriers, the Randy Smith Junior Tour hopes to make golf much more accessible and inclusive - while honouring the coach who helped shape one of the game’s modern greats.

"This is about where it all began," Smith told The Dallas Morning News.

"Scottie and his family are proof that when kids are surrounded by support, great things can happen.

"I’m humbled and grateful that they want to pay that forward, and I am beyond excited about the countless kids that will be introduced to the game through this new addition to the Ewing Automotive NTPGA Junior Tour."

Mark Harrison, the CEO of Northern Texas PGA, said: "Randy’s fingerprints are all over our Foundation and have been for more than four decades.

"He’s been the connective tissue behind so many relationships and milestones that help define who we are today.

"In 1983, he started a yearly fundraiser that has raised more than $2.3m for our growth of the game initiatives.

"Randy then introduced us to Justin Leonard, our first Junior Tour spokesperson nearly 30 years ago, and to Fin Ewing III, whose partnership through Ewing Automotive has powered both the Ewing Charity Classic and our Junior Tour for 20 years.

"About a decade ago, Randy also connected us with Dr. Bill Blair, whose impact on our Foundation has been extraordinary. The Growth of the Game Pavilion on our campus is the Randy Smith & Dr. Bill Blair Who’s Next Pavilion.

"Along with Scottie and Meredith, Dr. Blair was instrumental in helping us endow this new level of our Junior Tour.

"When I think of Randy, I think of junior golf. It is only fitting that our new tour bears his name."

Scheffler's update caps off a remarkable season for him having won two major titles at the US PGA and The Open among six wins on the PGA Tour.

As a result, Scheffler continues to look down on the rest of his peers including Rory McIlroy at the top of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).

Scheffler is currently enjoying some downtime with his wife Meredith and young son Bennett after a gruelling schedule.

The World No.1 is scheduled to play in one more tournament before the end of 2025 at Tiger Woods' annual Hero World Challenge from 4-7 December.

Scheffler will attempt to become the first player to win Woods' Hero World Challenge three times in a row.