TAMPA – November 06, 2026 -- Weatherford Capital has invested in the Arnold Palmer Junior Golf Tour (APJGT), which targets nearly 400 tournaments nationwide in 2027 for players ages 8 to 18. The private investment firm joins Bolt Ventures, the family office of David Blitzer, as an investor in the Tour.
Tour merges two regional circuits into a year-round national platform
Bolt Ventures launched the APJGT in partnership with Arnold Palmer Enterprises and the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation. The Tour combines the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour and the Texas Junior Golf Tour into a single competitive platform for boys and girls.
Junior golf participation has grown 48 percent since 2019
The National Golf Foundation counted nearly 4 million on-course junior golfers ages 6 to 17 in 2025, up 48 percent from 2019. As the Tour expands its schedule and footprint, more players can compete closer to home against a consistent standard of play, whether they are pursuing a college roster spot or playing recreationally.
Weatherford adds youth golf to its Sports Continuum portfolio
The deal extends the Sports Continuum, Weatherford's framework for investing across youth, collegiate and professional sports. "Youth sports is where the Sports Continuum begins," said Drew Weatherford, Partner and Co-Founder of the firm.
APJGT joins a sports portfolio that includes IMG Academy, the Big 12 Conference, the United Soccer League, the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Curve Sports. Partner Todd Marcy said the firm sees a real opportunity for impact as the Tour grows.
Palmer Foundation adds access award and Wake Forest character program
The Tour will run a character program developed with the Palmer Foundation and Wake Forest University that treats conduct as part of competing well. The Foundation's new Palmer Foundation Player Access Award is designed to help families address financial obstacles that can limit participation.