Scott Robertson Memorial
Every dollar goes to charity. Every round honors a young golfer lost too soon.
The story
The Scott Robertson Memorial honors the memory of Scott Robertson, a promising young golfer and talented student-athlete from Roanoke who died from infectious mononucleosis at the age of 14. What started as a local tribute in 1984 has grown into one of the most respected junior competitions in the United States — and one of the few that carries recognition from the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Junior Golf Scoreboard, and the AJGA simultaneously. The numbers validate the reputation. In 2025, the Junior Golf Scoreboard ranked the Scott Robertson as having the 14th strongest boys' field and the 19th strongest girls' field among over 1,000 national junior events. That is not a soft field inflated by participation numbers — that is genuine depth, with players ranked nationally competing for every spot on the leaderboard. The philanthropic mission is not an afterthought. Since 2005, all tournament proceeds have benefited First Tee - Roanoke Valley. Between 1984 and 2003, the tournament distributed over $200,000 in college scholarships directly to participants. The on-site Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy — with a synthetic-turf putting green and practice bunkers — serves as a permanent training facility that extends the tournament's impact beyond one week per year. The AJGA Performance-Based Entry exemptions for top finishers create a tangible pathway: perform well at the Scott Robertson, and you earn your way into the AJGA national schedule. This is one of the most efficient ways for a mid-Atlantic junior golfer to break onto the national stage.
The venue
The rigorous testing conditions at the Roanoke Country Club have earned the event its reputation. The club also hosts the permanent Scott Robertson Memorial Junior Golf Academy with synthetic-turf putting green and practice bunkers.
Course setup: Roanoke Country Club plays as a traditional Virginia mountain layout with elevation changes, mature trees, and greens that are firm and challenging. The course rewards precision and course management. Expect tight fairways and greens that demand accurate approach shots. The May timing means the course is typically in excellent condition with predictable mid-spring weather.
Format
Annual May event with boys' and girls' divisions. Top finishers earn exemptions through the AJGA's Performance-Based Entry process — a direct pipeline to the national junior circuit.
Cut: No
Field
Elite field players · By application
Coach verdict
ACC coaches (Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest) and mid-Atlantic D1 programs consider this a marquee event. The field strength ranking (14th nationally for boys) validates the competitive level. Coaches trust results from this event.
Best for: Best for 14-18. The strength of the field and the AJGA exemption pathway make this most valuable for juniors who are ready to compete nationally but need the credential to get in the door. Younger players (12-13) can benefit from the experience, but the competitive advantage is strongest for older juniors.
College scouting: Massive contingent
Competitive insight
The Scott Robertson is the gateway event for mid-Atlantic juniors who want to break into the national junior golf scene. The AJGA Performance-Based Entry exemptions for top finishers are a concrete reward — they bypass the normal AJGA application process and put you directly into national events. For juniors ranked outside the top 100 nationally, a strong finish here is one of the most efficient paths to AJGA competition.
Scoring context: Competitive scores in the boys' division are typically even par to 5-under for 54 holes. The course setup and field strength keep scoring honest. A top-10 finish usually requires at least one round in the 60s.
Application tip
Apply early for the May event. The field is curated and competitive. Include your Junior Golf Scoreboard ranking or WAGR ranking if applicable. The tournament's triple recognition (WAGR, JGS, AJGA) means your results here count across multiple ranking systems — maximize that by being in form when you play.
What makes it different
Notable alumni
Is it worth the travel?
high valueThe triple ranking recognition (WAGR, JGS, AJGA) means results here count everywhere. The AJGA exemption pathway for top finishers provides tangible return on the investment. Roanoke is affordable and accessible from the entire eastern seaboard.
Charitable impact
Since 2005, all tournament proceeds benefit the First Tee - Roanoke Valley. Previously provided over $200,000 in college scholarships.$200,000+ donated to First Tee - Roanoke Valley.