A LOOK BACK AT THE GIRLS' JUNIOR
Today’s TGA State Girls’ Junior had its beginning in 1964 at Old Hickory Country Club. The first two tournaments were played at match play, but the format was changed to stroke play in 1966 when Margaret “Peggy” Harmon of Shelbyville won her first of three State Junior championships. Two other girls, Mary Anne Bailey of Memphis and Ashli Price of Morristown, also won three consecutive State Junior titles. After graduating from Furman University, Ashli Price Bunch played several years on the LPGA Tour.
The State Girls’ Junior also has a 10-14 division. In 1995, the tournament began being played at a separate site than that of the boys.Each year the winner’s name is inscribed on the Ruth Eller Trophy. Harold Eller, golf professional at Old Hickory Country Club, and his wife, Ruth, founded the Tennessee Junior Golf Association and the tournament. The TJGA was absorbed by the TGA in 2000.
- History Courtesy of Gene Pearce
2009-Farnsworth took home the Junior Ruth Eller trophy that was named after a legend in women's amateur golf and was as well a great friend of Farnsworths grandmother.
Grandmother and long time supporter of the TGA, Mrs. Pat Cunningham of Winchester, presented her granddaughter with the trophy.
Beverly Eller Pearce
This Girls' Junior started by her
parents,the late Harold & Ruth Eller,
in 1964, were overseen by Beverly
until they became a part of the TGA.
