LJT Texas Cup Invitational Heads to Tempest Golf Club

ADDISON – The Legends Junior Tour’s Texas Cup Invitational heads to Tempest Golf Club on March 13-15 for the first time in the tournament’s 16-year history.

“The Texas Cup Invitational always garners a lot of interest because it’s the first major of the year for the boys, and we are excited to be heading east this year for what is sure to be another compelling championship” said Tournament Manager Adam Schulte. “Tempest Golf Club is looking forward to showcasing their incredible course to the best juniors in the state and providing a truly memorable experience for players and spectators alike.”

The Texas Cup Invitational, the first of the two boys-only majors on the LJT annual schedule, will feature a starting field of 84 of the top junior boys aged 12-18 playing 54 holes of stroke-play competition. This will be the LJT boys first 54-hole event of the year.

Tempest Golf Club, a beautiful and challenging layout, resides just outside of Tyler in the small town of Gladewater. Tempest has slowly but surely been widening its fan base as more and more people from the DFW and Shreveport areas continue to discover its many charms.

Tempest’s Director of Golf Randy Wade says, “Tempest is unique because of the property that it was built on. The topography is unlike any courses in the East Texas or surrounding areas. The elevation changes, rolling hills and tall pine trees create a beauty versus challenge experience for all golfers.”

In 2018, the course underwent a $20 million dollar renovation led by Arlington-based architect Jeffrey D. Brauer and opened after switching ownership. The past couple of years have been the busiest yet for the club in terms of total rounds played. The accolades have started to roll in as well. Following Brauer’s extensive redo, the Dallas Morning News ranked Tempest as the 2nd best new/renovated golf course in 2020 and 59th on the list of Top 100 Courses in Texas in 2022.

The Texas Cup Invitational has previously been played at Abilene Country Club’s South Course (2022), Ridgewood Country Club (2021), Stonebridge Ranch Country Club (2019-20), Ridglea Country Club (2017-18), Mira Vista Country Club (2013-16) and The Honors Club of Dallas (2008-12), now known as Maridoe Golf Club.

Last year’s championship was shortened to 36-holes due to icy conditions. Fort Worth’s Connor Henry captured the 2022 title by finishing at even-par 144 for the tournament and edged out Parker Sands of Edmond, Okla., by a stroke.

The tournament has produced some elite past champions including Stratton Nolen (2010), Andrew Winters (2011), Chandler Phillips (2012), Braden Bailey (2013), Ryan Grider (2016), Thomas Bockholt III (2018) and Brian Boles (2019).

The event is ranked by the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard and offers numerous AJGA Stars to the top finishers. Additionally, exemptions into future LJT Invitationals will be awarded.

For more information on the Texas Cup Invitational at Tempest Golf Club and to follow along with live scoring for the week, click here.