CHICOPEE, Mass. — It’s a practice day before this week’s American Junior Golf Association Tournament at Chicopee Country Club, and Kush Shah is making sure his swing is ready for competition.

“Just getting another feel for the course,” Shah said. “Making all the mistakes I can today so I that I don’t do it tomorrow.”

A 16-year-old from Arizona, Shah started playing competitively when he was 11.

On Wednesday, he’ll take on the Chicopee course for the first time.

His mindset going in is to be patient and persistent.

“You shouldn’t get super mad about a bad shot,” Shah said. “Because you still have a lot of shots to hit that you can be better.”

Shah said one of the many things he loves about golf is its individuality and how the wins and the losses ultimately fall on him.

He’s competed in AJGA events before.

The nonprofit hosts week-long events where young golfers earn college scholarships.

Some of the game’s biggest names, like Tiger Woods, have also competed in their tournaments.

For some young athletes, the competition may be uncomfortable, but Shah sees it as an opportunity to get better.

“I mean if it a friend it’s nice,” Shah said. “Because you can like play different games with them that can improve a certain aspect of your game.”

This week’s tournament will host 96 contestants from all over the country and from as far away as New Zealand.

It will be a challenge, and Shah said his goal is to be better than he was last time out.

“Rank-wise, I’d say top 15 just because I haven’t really done that at an open event, so that will feel pretty good,” Shah said. “But I guess, just have fun and not put too much pressure on myself because I’ve done that in the past and I didn’t really work too well for me.”

The Junior Golf Tournament is open to the public and will take place Wednesday through Friday.

Kush said he hopes to earn a division one scholarship while competing at the junior level with the hopes of one day turning professional.