Tacoma's James Feutz knows he can win the Tacoma City Amateur.

And it's not just some other tournament for many such as Feutz who have grown up in Pierce County. It is the so-called city championship for amateur golfers.

But Feutz isn't eligible to play in the annual three-round tournament. At 15, he isn't old enough.

The governing-body Tacoma Golf Association has had varying eligibility rules for its primary championship over the years, ranging from no age limit to an 18-and-over requirement.

Currently, golfers have to be 16 or older to sign up.

"Sixteen (years old) is it," TGA president Dave Clark said. "We're not going to go any lower."

But is it fair?

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Feutz is about to finish up his ninth grade season at Bellarmine Prep. Last weekend, he became the youngest winner of the Bremerton City Amateur, which had four former professionals in the field.

He would have played in the Tacoma City Amateur, which starts June 20, if the tournament allowed. But it doesn't. Instead, he's entered in other city championships, such as the Capitol City Amateur this weekend, where no age-limit rule exists.

"Obviously I'd like to play in (the Tacoma City Am), and it would have taken priority over other tournaments since I'm from here," Feutz said this week. "Obviously, it's a little disappointing, especially with how well I am playing."

So, why the age rule?

Former TGA president Ken Morken is the association's unofficial historian. The Pacific Northwest Golf Association helped found the TGA in the early 1930s, with one stipulation in its by-laws that only a full member at a men's club could play in the Tacoma City Amateur, and junior golfers couldn't be full members.

Yet, the rule was loosened off and on, particularly from the 1970s until the mid-1990s. In fact, Puyallup's Ryan Moore, now on the PGA Tour, played in it at 14 in 1997 – only to be denied three years later when the TGA changed it back to an 18-and-over rule.

A few years ago, the age limit was dropped from 18 to 16.

John Bodenhamer, executive director of the PNGA, played in the Tacoma City Amateur as a 14-year-old in 1976, and led going into the back nine in the final round.

"I tried playing everything at that age," Bodenhamer said, "and felt shut out a lot (because of my age)."

The PNGA has only a handicap requirement for most of its open amateur events, Bodenhamer said, adding "we would encourage (the TGA) to be as inclusive as they could" for its Tacoma City Amateur.

Which Feutz would be in favor of.

"In reality, the City Am is supposed to find the best player in the city, even if he's 15," Feutz said. "It's not like I wouldn't have a chance of winning."