The Dogwood Invitational is already known as one of the premiere amateur golf tournaments in the world, but that is not enough.

The Scratch Players World Amateur Rankings organization ranked the Dogwood as the 13th amateur golf tournament in the nation and the 25th in the world.

The Dogwood has added to its resume this season. The Junior Dogwood took place July 16 through 17 at the historic Druid Hills Golf Club.

The winner earned an automatic invitation to the 2013 Dogwood Invitational.

The Junior Dogwood is a partnership between the Dogwood and the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour.

“We have debated expanding the brand of the Dogwood for a number of years,” Dogwood Invitational chairman Edward Toledano said. “We talked about all the different options. And joining with Southeastern Junior Golf was such a great fit.”

Toledano said the partnership had positive aspects for both sides.

“They wanted to hold one of their major tournaments here at Druid Hills because of the stature of the golf course and the expertise that we have in running tournaments,” Toledano said. “And we wanted an opportunity to help junior golfers learn more about the Dogwood.”

Southeastern Junior Golf president Todd Thompson agrees with Toledano.

“For 18 years we have worked to develop a portfolio of tournaments where young golfers can gain access to the best courses in the Southeast, as well as how to play this competitive game with values and tenacity,” Thompson said in a press release. “The team is honored to display the Dogwood brand, which is a standard of excellence for us all.”

Marist golfer and Druid Hills Golf Club member Sean Murphy played in the Dogwood this year, but he said he cannot wait to get back. Murphy competed in the Junior Dogwood.

Murphy has been a caddy at the Dogwood for many years on his home course, but he said playing in the tournament is completely different and he wants to do it again.

“It would mean a lot to get another invitation,” he said. “It was such a fun tournament this past year and I would love to experience it again. It has always been one of the best weeks of the summer and being able to play in it this past year made it a lot better.”

Murphy said he would have no problem with the pressure of trying to compete for a spot.

“What I love about golf is that everything counts,” Murphy said. “There are no second chances. That puts a premium on every shot. To me it just adds pressure which makes the game that much better.”