Our Impact
Investing in the next generation of golfers
Impact Overview
Empowering young golfers through opportunity.
Since 2018, the Jack O’Neill Memorial Charity (JONMC) has worked to honor the legacy of PGA Professional and retired U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer Jack O’Neill by creating meaningful opportunities for young golfers. What began as a community effort in Diamondhead has grown into a regional mission supporting junior golfers across Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and the broader Southeast.
Through tournaments, scholarships, grants, and direct assistance, JONMC helps young athletes develop confidence, discipline, and character both on and off the course.
Tournaments
Jack O’Neill Memorial Junior Golf Championship
Launched in 2021, the Jack O'Neill Memorial Junior Championship has quickly become a premier regional event for boys and girls ages 12–18. The tournament provides a true championship experience, helping junior golfers prepare for higher‑level competition.
Championship Highlights:
- 36‑hole tournament format
- Boys and Girls Divisions
- Participation from across the Gulf Coast and Southeast
- Field expanded to accommodate up to 75 players in 2026
This event continues to grow each year, offering young athletes a competitive environment built on sportsmanship, integrity, and Jack O’Neill’s legacy of mentorship.
Jack O’Neill Memorial Charity Tournament
Before the Junior Championship was established, JONMC hosted the annual Jack O'Neill Memorial Charity Tournament—an event that played a foundational role in building the organization’s mission and funding its early scholarships and programs.
Beginning with the inaugural tournament in 2019, which raised $11,000 for junior golf, the event brought together community members, supporters, and golfers who shared Jack's passion for helping young players succeed both on and off the course.
Over six years, the tournament generated support for scholarships, travel assistance, tournament entry fees, instruction, and youth golf development opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast region. Its success laid the groundwork for the expanded programs, scholarships, and Junior Championship events JONMC offers today.
Tournament Reach & Participation
Years of Junior Golf Participation
Tournament Participants
States Represented
Scholarships
Fueling academic and athletic growth.
Since 2019, the Jack O'Neill Memorial Charity has awarded annual scholarships to junior golfers pursuing college opportunities, helping young athletes continue both their academic and athletic journeys. These scholarships reflect Jack O’Neill’s lifelong belief that golf teaches integrity, discipline, perseverance, and confidence — values that extend far beyond the course.
Recipients are selected in partnership with organizations such as the BC Cup Foundation and the Kelly Gibson Foundation, while additional scholarships are supported through a collaboration with Pearl River Community College. Over time, the number of scholarship recipients has continued to grow, expanding JONMC’s reach and long-term impact within the communities it serves. Through scholarship support and junior golf initiatives, JONMC continues to invest in the future of young golfers while honoring Jack’s enduring legacy of mentorship, opportunity, and service.
Scholarship & Funding Impact
Scholarships & Financial Support
Student‑Athletes Supported
Proceeds Support Junior Golf
