Press Thornton Future Masters
75 years of Wiregrass hospitality and the sport's brightest stars
The story
The Press Thornton Future Masters is the most historically significant junior boys' tournament in existence. Founded in 1950 by Press Thornton — a Dothan businessman who believed juniors deserved their own championship-caliber event — this tournament predates the AJGA by nearly three decades. When people talk about junior golf tradition, this is the event that set the standard. The alumni list is not marketing material — it is a factual record of the tournament's predictive power. Scottie Scheffler won here before he won the Masters. Bubba Watson competed here as a teenager in south Alabama before he became a two-time green jacket winner. Hubert Green, the U.S. Open and PGA Champion, came through this tournament. So did countless college All-Americans who never made the tour but built their competitive foundations on these fairways. What makes the Future Masters uniquely valuable is the field depth. With 500 players from 37 states and 8 countries, the 15-18 age group here is among the strongest in junior golf. The Dothan Country Club course is not long, but it punishes sloppy iron play with thick rough and greens that run fast and true. The city itself wraps around the tournament — local businesses, host families, and the community create an atmosphere that feels like a junior version of the Masters week in Augusta. In 2025, the city unveiled a 75th anniversary mural near the Dothan Country Club entrance, cementing the tournament's place in the cultural fabric of the Wiregrass region.
The venue
A traditional layout famous for its thick rough, exceptionally fast greens, and manageable yardages that test every facet of a junior golfer's game. Recently reimagined to offer new challenges while maintaining its classic character.
Course setup: Dothan Country Club plays around 6,400-6,600 yards for the championship division. The defense is not length — it is the combination of thick Bermuda rough, small targets, and greens that reject anything that does not land at the right speed and angle. The course rewards players who can control trajectory and distance with their irons, which is exactly the skill set that translates to college golf.
Format
Staggered schedule from 10-and-under through 15-18 divisions, allowing a high volume of play across a week-long festival of golf.
Cut: No
Field
500 players · Open registration by division
37 states, 8 countries
Coach verdict
SEC and ACC coaches follow the Future Masters closely. A top-10 finish in the 15-18 division is a legitimate recruiting credential. The 75-year track record of producing PGA Tour players gives this event credibility that newer events cannot match.
Best for: Excellent for all ages 10-18. The staggered divisional format means younger players compete against their peers, and the 15-18 division is where the real national-level competition happens. Start bringing kids at 10-12 to build familiarity with the event and the community — the families that return year after year form a network.
College scouting: Extensive
Competitive insight
This is the event where junior golf reputations are made in the Southeast. Winning the 15-18 division here puts a player on every college coach's radar in the SEC, ACC, and Sun Belt. The field is deep — not just the top 10, but the middle of the pack is filled with low-single-digit handicappers who would contend at most other junior events. If you want to know where you truly stand nationally, play the Future Masters.
Scoring context: In the 15-18 boys' division, winning scores are typically 8-12 under par for the tournament. Competitive play falls in the even-par to 5-under range. Anything under par for the week puts you in the top third of the field.
Application tip
Registration is open but fills fast, especially in the older divisions. Register as soon as the window opens (typically early spring for the summer event). Book Dothan accommodations early — the entire town fills up during tournament week.
What makes it different
Notable alumni
Recent champions
| Year | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Warren Stiglitz | — |
| 2024 | Joshua Kim | Emma Wang |
| 2023 | Jon Ed Steed | Amelie Zalsman |
| 2022 | Jon Ed Steed | Alice Ziyi Zhao |
| 2021 | Christian Pardue | Natalie Yen |
Is it worth the travel?
high valueThis is a must-play for any serious junior golfer. The field quality, alumni pedigree, and community atmosphere make it worth traveling to Dothan from anywhere in the country. The cost of the trip is modest compared to AJGA events — Dothan is affordable.