Smugglers’ Notch Resort, America’s Family Resort and one of disc golf’s iconic venues, will host the United States Junior Championship in 2026, seven years after launching the event in 2018 and 2019. The venue fondly referred to as “Smuggs” has served as the site of over ten PDGA Majors and DGPT events, including two Pro Worlds, one Pro Masters Worlds, and the launch of the United States Junior Disc Golf Championship in 2018.

This season the Northeast Junior Championship will be held at Smuggs August 16-18 as the team ramps up competition with an A-Tier for juniors. Registration is now open. 

After hosting the first two editions of the United States Junior Disc Golf Championship in 2018 and 2019, Smugglers’ Notch Resort, along with the support of the Disc Golf Pro Tour and Disc Golf Vermont (DGVT), will bring back the USJDGC in 2026 as an A-Tier! Aligning with the plans of the original two iterations of this event, the goal is to create a second Major Championship for the MJ divisions and a third for the FJ divisions. Based on the success of the 2026 event, the PDGA will determine if there is room for another Major Championship for a demographic of the membership that is so important to the future of the sport.

However, the fun starts this year! On the weekend of August 16 - 18, Smugglers’, DGPT, and DGVT will offer the Northeast Junior Disc Golf Championship (PDGA A-Tier), with registration open as of Monday, May 12th. Tournament Director Jeff Spring will work with Assistant TD, Aidan Trombley and Chris Young from Disc Golf Vermont to put together a 72-player junior field that will not only enjoy competition at one of the best disc golf centers in the world, but all the trappings of a great summer vacation in the green mountains of Vermont. 

“Smuggs is again rolling out the red carpet for Junior competitors and their families” said Spring. “From the waterparks to the FunZone, and hiking and biking, the family activities off the course are top-notch. Not only will juniors get to compete in an A-Tier, but they will get to prep for an upcoming US Title that will be competed on one of the iconic venues of the sport that has crowned DGPT Champions and PDGA World Champions, most recently Kristin Latt and Isaac Robinson in 2023.” The DGPT is excited to again partner closely with Smugglers’ and the PDGA on this path forward. 

Aidan Trombley, Director of Disc Golf at Smuggs, serves on the PDGA Youth & Education Committee. “Smugglers’ is fully aligned and committed to supporting the growth of this event from an A-Tier to a PDGA Major. The resort is committing resources to ensure that this event is the best event in the World for Junior players. It’s clear from my work with the Youth & Education committee that growth of the sport is tied to junior disc golf development, and I’m honored to help elevate the cause with this effort.” 

Chris Young serves as the Vermont PDGA State Coordinator and runs Vermont’s tournament series. With Spring, he was a part of the team, led by Josh & Matt Grayum, that delivered the first editions of this event at Smuggs in 2018 and 2019. While the Grayum’s have since moved on from running Kid’s Disc Golf, an organization they founded, they will still be helping this event from the background. “We learned a lot from our work with Josh and Matt in 2018-19,” said Young. “We’re building on the playbook that worked to launch the event pre-covid, and with the growth of youth disc golf around the region, we’re excited to start building this event again!”

With a small registration fee, big player’s pack, and qualification opportunities, the Northeast Junior Championship this August is already a premier event in the World for the Junior field. Registration is currently open to a field of 72 total for the late August event. Smugglers’ Notch Resort is offering a 40% discount on lodging for all junior competitors and their families for a four-night stay. Register today for one of the premier Junior competitions in the country.