American Junior Golf Association

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The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is a "501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf."^[1] AJGA is considered by many leaders in the golf industry to be the premier junior golf association of the world^[2]. Evidenced of AJGA's premier standing is shown through its financial support from such organizations as Titleist (its national sponsor), Rolex and Polo Ralph Lauren (premier partners), the United States Golf Association (association partner), and official partners such as HP, FootJoy and PING^[3].

The AJGA has been running elite tournaments for junior golfers of both sexes in the United States since 1978. As of 2012, the AJGA stages more than 90 tournaments a season. The association is headquartered at Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia. Currently, the AJGA focuses more on developing golfers at the highest skill levels of both sexes, preparing them for college golf, rather than fostering the recreational side of the sport, which is clearly conveyed in its mission statement.[1]

Playing on the AJGA

Junior golfers between the ages of 12 and 18 are eligible to play in AJGA events. Players from around the world are eligible to play in AJGA events. Players can qualify to take part through local and regional tournaments via the AJGA's Performance Based Entry system [2]. Players who have the ability, but not the financial means to play may qualify for the AJGA's ACE Grant program [3]. This grant provides financial support for players who need help covering the expenses of the national junior golf competition.

How to Qualify

In 2003, the AJGA abandoned its tournament selection process that was based on the strength of a tournament application and resume in favor of a Performance Based Entry process. This enables 12-18-year-old members to earn their way into AJGA Open tournaments based on performances at the national, regional and state levels.

The player's performance, not the AJGA, dictates acceptance into an event. The expanded opportunities to gain entry into AJGA events through success at the state and regional levels ensure all deserving juniors receive an opportunity to play in an AJGA event. Entry into AJGA events can be earned through numerous tournaments, including AJGA Tournaments and Qualifiers, The US Junior Championship, Western Junior, Scott Robertson Memorial, Stan Trojanowski Northern Junior, and other major and state championships.

Rankings and Awards

The AJGA runs a variety of rankings, teams, and awards. The AJGA has developed its own ranking system -- the Polo Golf Rankings -- that helps fill tournament fields and determine the Rolex Junior All-America Teams and the Rolex Junior Player of the Year winners.[4] Past winners of the Rolex Junior Player of the Year awards include Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods in the boys division and Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer in the girls division. In addition, the AJGA developed live scoring for all of their invitational tournaments to make the AJGA experience that much more realistic to playing on a pro tour.[5]

Beginnings

The idea behind the AJGA was conceived in the mid 1970s by Mike Bentley, a sportswriter in DeKalb County, Georgia. Bentley first formed the DeKalb Junior Golf Association in 1974, which eventually evolved into the Atlanta Junior Golf Association [6]. Bentley soon realized the need for organized golf at the national level. At the time, there existed several national junior golf tournaments but no cohesive administration of junior golf events on a national scale. Bentley envisioned such an organization, and created the American Junior Golf Association to meet the need [7].

The AJGA conducted its first national junior golf event in 1978, the AJGA Tournament of Champions, at Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill, Florida.[8] Later that same year the AJGA introduced and conducted its second national event.[9] In addition, the AJGA also named its first Rolex Junior All-Americans in 1978, and has done so every year since [10].

In 1984, Stephen Hamblin was hired as the Executive Director, the same role he continues to serve today. The AJGA's first permanent home was built in 1983 at Horseshoe Bend Country Club.[11] Later the Association moved to a new facility in Braselton, Ga., at Chateau Elan Resort in September 2000 [12].

Growth

The AJGA has experienced consistent growth throughout its history in many aspects. In 1983, with only a staff of five has grown to 58 full-time employees. The number of AJGA tournaments has also increased, moving from two in 1978 to its current total of 94 events per year. In addition, AJGA memberships have increased to more than 5,000 members annually. The AJGA also has 300 college coach memberships. These memberships give them access to vital recruiting information such as swing videos and players statistics.[13] In 2000, the AJGA built its new national headquarters in Braselton, Georgia at the Chateau Elan Winery and Resort. The building was paid for by public donations.

Achieving Its Mission

The AJGA focuses on running high-level, consistent golf tournaments that give college coaches the ability to accurately judge the skill level of junior golfers.[14] This is accomplished through adherence to the USGA Rules of Golf, the AJGA Code of Conduct [15], its Pace of Play policy[16], and the use of its Performance Based Entry system [17] to fill tournament fields.

Each year, the vast majority of AJGA graduates go on to compete at the college level.[18] In addition, most graduates do so on college golf or academic scholarships.[19]

AJGA Alumni

Many AJGA alumni have found success at the college level and more importantly success at the professional level. AJGA college Alumni have competed successfully. AJGA college alumni have won 20 of the past 25 NCAA Division I Men’s Champions (1986-2010) and 20 of the past 25 NCAA Division I Women’s Champions ( 1986-2010). Additionally, many AJGA alumni have also found success at the professional level. With more than 200 AJGA alumni players combined on both PGA Tour and LPGA Tour, there has been a total of more than 400 professional victories collectively. [20]

AJGA Alumni on the PGA TOUR include: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Bob Estes, Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Steve Marino, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Lucas Glover, J.B. Holmes, Charles Howell III, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Hunter Mahan, Joe Ogilvie, Sean O'Hair, David Toms, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Scott Verplank. [21]

AJGA Alumnae on the LPGA Tour include: Paula Creamer, Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel, Brittany Lang, Brittany Lincicome, Jessica Korda, Amanda Blumenherst, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Julieta Granada, Pat Hurst, Cristie Kerr, I.K. Kim, In-Bee Park, Michelle McGann, Kristy McPherson, Lorena Ochoa, Kelly Robbins and Wendy Ward.[22]

References

External links

• Official site