Eastside Golf Championship at Forest Lake set for July 20-23, 2026
BRASELTON, GA. & BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI. – The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is excited to announce the Eastside Golf Championship at Forest Lake, July 20-23, 2026, at Forest Lake Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The event will bring together top junior golfers from around the world to compete at one of the premier courses in the Midwest.
The championship marks the introduction of Eastside Golf as the event’s title sponsor. Founded in 2019, Eastside Golf is a lifestyle golf brand dedicated to inspiring a new generation of players by blending culture, fashion and the game of golf. That mission is deeply personal for Founder Olajuwon Ajanaku, who as a junior aspired to compete on premier stages like the AJGA but faced financial barriers that limited his access. Those early experiences continue to shape the brand’s purpose today.
In partnership with the AJGA, Eastside Golf will award four tournament exemptions to players from diverse backgrounds with financial need, creating opportunities for young athletes to compete on one of junior golf’s most respected stages.
“I grew up knowing that to be the best, you have to compete against the best, but I didn’t always have access to those opportunities,” said Ajanaku, who first started the brand while living in Detroit. “The AJGA has always been that premier stage in junior golf, where the best players go to compete and be seen. To now be part of that platform through this championship, in the city where Eastside was born, is incredibly meaningful. It’s about creating access, opening doors and making sure more young players – especially those who may not have had the same opportunities — get the chance to compete and show what they can do.”
The tournament will kick off with a Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament on July 20, offering participants the opportunity to play alongside AJGA juniors while supporting the AJGA Foundation, College Career & Beyond – Midnight Golf Program and other local charities. Proceeds from the Junior-Am will benefit initiatives that help young athletes pursue opportunities in competitive junior golf and support Detroit’s most promising students for success in post-secondary education, and beyond The 54-hole stroke play tournament will feature a field of 96 boys and girls, ages 12-19, with tournament rounds taking place July 21-23 and a 36-hole cut following the second round.
“From being born in Flint to building meaningful roots in Detroit, including becoming the first African-American golf professional at Detroit Golf Club and opening an Eastside Golf store in the Detroit Metro Airport, this moment is full circle,” said Eastside Co-Founder and PGA of America Professional, Earl Cooper. “I had the honor and privilege of competing in AJGA events growing up, so to now partner with them to bring a tournament to Detroit is a dream come true. It speaks to the power of access, and the responsibility we have to create even more of it for the next generation.”
Forest Lake Country Club will serve as the host venue for the championship. Founded in 1926, the course sits on 125 acres in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and features a classic design that follows the natural contours of the land. Originally designed by William Diddel and later updated by Arthur Hills, the layout combines traditional elements with modern touches. Known for its rolling terrain, well-protected greens and natural fairways, Forest Lake provides a strong and balanced test for players. The club has hosted AJGA events since 2013 and continues to be a consistent site for junior competition.
“On behalf of the membership and staff at Forest Lake, we’re proud to host one of the premier AJGA events in the Eastside Golf Championship at Forest Lake Country Club,” said David Drisko, Director of Golf at Forest Lake Country Club. “What began with two local Michigan winners has grown into a truly international field, bringing elite junior talent from around the world to compete on our course. Forest Lake provides a demanding test, one that rewards precision, discipline, and thoughtful play. It’s especially meaningful to see players like Karl Vilips, now a PGA Tour winner at the 2025 Puerto Rico Open, and Maxwell Moldovan, a 2025 PGA Tour sanctioned winner at the Brazil Open, come through Forest Lake reinforcing our championship as a true proving ground for the next generation of players.”
Most recently, Forest Lake Country Club completed a multimillion-dollar course renovation in 2025 under the direction of architect Chris Wilczynski, further elevating the championship-caliber experience for competitors and members alike. The enhancements arrive at a milestone moment for the club, as Forest Lake celebrates its centennial year in 2026. With 100 years of history to honor, the club is committed to making this anniversary a standout celebration while showcasing its newly restored course on one of junior golf’s premier stages.
“In celebrating our centennial year, Forest Lake Country Club is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with the American Junior Golf Association—bringing world-class junior golf to our community while contributing more than $500,000 to local initiatives and generating over $3 million in economic impact,” said Matt Kovack, Tournament Chairman. “Together, we are not only showcasing the game at one of its highest levels, but also investing in the future of the communities we serve.”
For more information on the Eastside Golf Championship at Forest Lake, please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,000 members from 50 states and 51 international countries and territories. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and Rolex are the AJGA’s Global Partners, supporting the AJGA for more than 60 years combined. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004 and assumed the Global Partner position in 2026. adidas has been with the AJGA for many years and became a Premier Partner in 2026.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.
