A distinguished tradition of hosting amateur golf events will be extended next year when the 2010 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship is held July 19-24 at the Country Club of North Carolina.

It will be the first United States Golf Association championship held at CCNC since 1980, when Hal Sutton won the U.S. Men's Amateur there.

"We've been talking with the USGA for eight to 10 months about hosting the championship," said Jeff Dotson, director of golf and head professional at CCNC. "From the standpoint of our club, we have a pretty strong commitment to amateur golf, especially junior golf. We've hosted a lot of amateur events, including the National Big I, the Southern Amateur last year, the Southern Women's and the Carolinas Junior this past summer.

"From the USGA's perspective, they see that strong commitment to amateur golf and they know that the Dogwood is a great golf course. They're also aware of the reputation of the club and our members in conducting these events."

The Dogwood Course was designed by Ellis Maples and Willard Byrd. It opened in 1963 and was the first of two 18-hole layouts, opening in 1963. It was renovated a few years ago by renowned architect Arthur Hills.

The Dogwood, ranked among the top 10 best courses in North Carolina, is recognized as one of the most picturesque in the nation, with water coming into play on 10 holes.

CCNC has hosted six Southern Amateurs, seven North Carolina Amateurs and three Carolinas Amateurs.

The U.S. Girls' Junior Championship was first played in 1949 and is open to female golfers who have not reached their 18th birthday and have a USGA Handicap Index of no more than 18.4.

This year's championship will be played at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., July 20-25.

"The members of the Country Club of North Carolina are excited and honored to host the 2010 U.S.

Girls' Junior Championship," club President Dr. John Ellis said in a statement released by the USGA. "It will have been 30 years since the U.S. Amateur was played on our Dogwood Course, and we are very pleased to welcome back the USGA for another championship. The Dogwood Course is well known for its beauty and challenge and we are confident the players will find the course a demanding but enjoyable test of their skills."

Dotson feels the course and the members of CCNC will provide a memorable experience for the girls.

"We feel that it's important to give something back to the game," he said, emphasizing that CCNC will not realize a financial profit from the event. "We just think that it's important for the great young players to see courses like this. And it's in keeping with our tradition of hosting amateur championships.

"It's actually a sacrifice by our members to give up their course for nine or 10 days, but by and large, they think it's important to do that. And it paints our club in a positive light."

The state of North Carolina has hosted 24 previous USGA Championships, including U.S. Opens at Pinehurst Resort in 1999 and 2005, U.S. Women's Opens at Pine Needles in 1996, 2001 and 2007, and three U.S. Men's Amateurs, including 2008 on the Pinehurst No. 2 Course. The U.S. Open will return to Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014. Pine Needles is also awaiting word of when the Women's Open will return to that venue.