{"id":15541,"date":"2026-02-05T11:19:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pkbgt.org\/news\/?p=15541"},"modified":"2026-02-05T11:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:19:10","slug":"understanding-the-pkbgt-pathway-progression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pkbgt.org\/news\/understanding-the-pkbgt-pathway-progression\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the PKBGT Pathway Progression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Greensboro, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2026) \u2014<\/strong> As we start to settle into the new year and prepare for the beginning of the Regional Series once again, we wanted to review the PKBGT Pathway Progression to help newcomers understand the Series advancements or as a refresher to our seasoned PKBGT players and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why use yardage-based Classes instead of age divisions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The PKBGT Pathway Progression allows players to progress towards playing collegiate golf at their own pace as they develop their game through yardage and skill appropriate divisions. Each classification is focused on the developmental needs of each girl, including event yardage and developing a player’s national ranking profile that is necessary for the college recruiting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea behind the PKBGT Pathway Progression is players compete against players of similar skill levels throughout their progression, not just against girls their same age. When players skillset and game grow, their classification will be adjusted allowing them to compete against similar players and in tournaments better suited for their level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 20 years of utilizing skill-based divisions, the PKBGT has proven their pathway works! Over 1,700 PKBGT players have gone onto competing collegiately with dozens more playing professionally! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here to watch a fully in-depth video breakdown of the PKBGT Pathway Progression.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Classes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Class 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Class 1 status, typically seen as Bell National and Prep divisions, is the elite division for girls preparing for collegiate golf. The yardages in this division average from 5,700 to 6,200 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players in this division must prove the continued ability to score 80 or better from 5,700+ yards in tournament play. The PKBGT will review a national ranking profile, including a player’s ranking on the PKBGT Performance Index<\/a>, Junior Golf Scoreboard (JGS), and TUGR to review eligibility. Typically, accepted players into Class 1 have a scoring differential on the PKBGT Performance Index lower than 9.0 and a JGC scoring differential lower than 7.0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Bell National events and Championship Prep Preview events use the PKBGT Priority Based Entry System<\/a> to determine eligibility. Players that meet the automatic priority entry criteria for the Bell National field are ineligible for the Prep Preview division at that event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This division is eligible for standing on the official PKBGT Performance Index<\/a>, season-long Order of Merit Standings<\/a>, Golfweek Ranking points at select 36 & 54-hole events, JGS ranking points at all 36-hole and 54-hole events, WAGR ranking points at all 54-hole events, and ranking status with other numerous organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here for a list of upcoming Class 1 events.<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Class 2 status, usually seen as the Prep Preview and Futures National divisions, is a collegiate preparatory division for girls competing at collegiate-like yardages. The yardages in this division average from 5,400 to 5,800 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players in Class 2 should show the continued ability to score 90 or better from 5,600 yards in tournament play. In some cases, players may automatically gain this status by being a player in high school who has a PKBGT Performance Index scoring differential lower than 18.0 at the time of registration or through winning three events in a specific division during a season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players who win three times in the Prep Preview division during a season will be increased to Class 1 status. The player may petition the tour committee for eligibility in the Prep Series Finale if they have required points to qualify. Players who are in their first or second season of PKBGT age eligibility are exempt from this rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This division is eligible for standing on the official PKBGT Performance Index<\/a>, season-long Order of Merit Standings<\/a>, Golfweek Ranking points at select 36 & 54-hole events, JGS ranking points at all 36-hole and 54-hole events, and ranking status with other numerous organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here for a list of upcoming Class 2 events.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Class 3 status, known as the Futures National and Futures Regional divisions, is a tournament division for girls preparing for or playing in high school golf. The yardages in this division average from 5,100 to 5,400 yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At multi-day events, players are expected to be able to score 100 or better from the forward tees and should understand and uphold all USGA rules. At one-day events, players are expected to be able to score 120 or better from the forward tees, and these one-day events also include modified rules including double-par.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a player wins three times in a specific division during a season, they are automatically increased to Class 2 status. The player may petition the tour committee for eligibility for the Tour Championship or Series Finale if they qualify. However, players in their first season of PKBGT age eligibility are exempt from this rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This division is eligible for standing on the official PKBGT Performance Index<\/a>, season-long Order of Merit Standings<\/a>, Golfweek Ranking points at select 36 & 54-hole events, JGS ranking points at all 36-hole and 54-hole events, and ranking status with other numerous organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here for a list of upcoming Class 3 events.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Class 4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Class 4 status, seen solely as the Discovery division, is a developmental division for girls preparing for 18-hole tournament competition. The yardages in this division average 1,700 to 2,000 yards, as this is a strictly 9-hole division, with very few exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Players in this division are expected to be able to score 60 or better. These events also include modified rules including double-par and parental caddies allowed. This division is eligible for season-long Order of Merit Standings<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here for a list of upcoming Class 4 events. <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the age requirements?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the different age requirements for the varying classes, one term to know is the “competition year”. The PKBGT Competition Year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. A player whose age is reached during this time period is eligible for the entirety of the series schedule for that division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Classes 1, 2, and 3, the age restriction is that of 12 to 19. A player must turn 12 years old by September 30th of the competition year to be eligible to participate. An 11-year-old player may play the entire season schedule if they meet this requirement. Any 18- or 19-year-old player must not have enrolled in college and must be an amateur to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Class 4, the age restriction is that of ages 9 to 12. A player must turn nine years old by September 30th of the competition year to be eligible to participate. An 8-year-old player may play the entire season schedule if they meet this requirement. A player that turns 12 years old in the midst of a competition year can finish playing the rest of the season in this division if they so choose, but the player must move up to Class 3 by the start of the following season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For select Futures National fields, elite players aged 10 to 11 will be offered limited access to under-age exemptions for select National events. “Elite” is defined by a top-10 finisher in the U.S. Kids World Championship or other national recognized 12 and under championship. These events will be labeled on the tournament page as a “Futures National Exempt” event, and players will be able to apply for a sponsor exemption into these fields. The PKBGT Tour Committee will have sole discretion on the number of under-age exemptions available and the recipients of these exemptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I increase my classification?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If a player is wishing to increase their status, they can submit a Tournament Resume<\/a>. This process involves informing the committee of current standings, rankings, and scoring differential, as well as your three best tournaments and any additional information that the committee should consider outside of your current rankings and top tournament results. All resumes are reviewed by a committee including past collegiate coaches and junior golf experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tournament resume submissions are not a one-and-done, so don’t be afraid to submit one if you’re unsure of whether you will be accepted. Players are always welcome to reapply for status at a later date with additional information or new tournament scores, should their initial application be denied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As seen above, another method of increasing status is through automatic division promotion via winning three times in a specific division during a season. There are some exemptions from this rule, as players in their first season of PKBGT age eligibility cannot be promoted from Class 3 to Class 2, and players in their first two seasons of PKBGT age eligibility cannot be promoted from Class 2 to Class 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do I best utilize the PKBGT event schedule in relation to my classification?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When playing competitive tournament golf, it’s important to find the right balance between maximizing your resources, creating developmental opportunities, and focusing on the overall advancement of your skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While paying attention to resources like entry fees and time away from school or work, you also need to understand which events can lead to better opportunities down the road: are you wanting to qualify for something down the line? Are you looking to adjust to competing for high finishes? Are you wanting to focus on playing against a better strength of field to improve your rankings? All of these questions are important to consider as you build out your playing schedule for the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those looking to adjust to competing for podium and making the overall adjustment to competitive golf, it would likely be best to seek out a Regional Series<\/a> one- or two-day event if you’re just starting out, or perhaps a National Series<\/a> Classic event for those adjusting to a higher level of competitive golf. These events are designed to aid creating those developmental opportunities, as players learn from each event to grow their game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For players wanting to qualify for a larger event, you should likely look for qualifier opportunities, like the Showcase or Tradition events<\/a> that can gain entry into the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Championship<\/a>. Similar opportunities can be found for most of our Championship level events, like our Regional or National Tournament of Champions<\/a>, or the PKBGT Invitational<\/a> for those in Class 1 looking for the next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those ranked within the top-1,000 on JGS, players should aim to win Invitationals and Championships, and earning direct entry into other Priority Based Entry events. This will be advantageous to players, as these opportunities to play amongst peers at the same high level is going to help better a player’s rankings as long as they can continuously showcase their ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here to view the PKBGT full upcoming schedule.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the PKBGT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 2007 by Girls Golf of America, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, a local girls’ golf tour in the Triad region of North Carolina.  The tour began as a simple concept: create more effective competitive playing opportunities for girls. By utilizing innovative yardage-based divisions instead of the traditional age-based format, the tour focused on developing tournament experience at the player’s pace. The 2025-2026 season will feature over 110 tournaments in 9 states on the East Coast, and with over 1,000 members, the PKBGT is the largest girl’s only tour in the country.  Learn more about the PKBGT at http:\/\/www.pkbgt.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

For complete coverage of the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls’ Golf Tour, follow the PKBGT on social media @PKBGirlsTour (Twitter), facebook.com\/girlsgolftour (Facebook), @pkbgirlstour (Instagram), or visit our website at www.pkbgt.org<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Greensboro, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2026) \u2014 As we start to settle into the new year and prepare for the beginning of the Regional Series once again, we wanted to review the PKBGT Pathway Progression to help newcomers understand the Series advancements or as a refresher to our seasoned PKBGT players and families. Why use yardage-based […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[627],"tags":[1040,1041,872,572,1168,1095,1112],"class_list":["post-15541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-talkinggirlsgolf","tag-bell-national","tag-futures-national","tag-national-series","tag-peggy-kirk-bell-girls-golf-tour","tag-pkbgt-pathway-progression","tag-prep-preview","tag-regional-series"],"yoast_head":"\nUnderstanding the PKBGT Pathway Progression - PKB Girls' Tour News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pkbgt.org\/news\/understanding-the-pkbgt-pathway-progression\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Understanding the PKBGT Pathway Progression - PKB Girls' Tour News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Greensboro, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2026) \u2014 As we start to settle into the new year and prepare for the beginning of the Regional Series once again, we wanted to review the PKBGT Pathway Progression to help newcomers understand the Series advancements or as a refresher to our seasoned PKBGT players and families. 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