PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has announced the 33rd Junior PGA Championship will be contested Aug. 13-16, 2008, at The TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio.
"The PGA of America is excited about the opportunity to bring the Junior PGA Championship to TPC River’s Bend," said President Brian Whitcomb. "The layout and design by one of golf’s greatest, Arnold Palmer, will test each competitor and make for another exciting Junior PGA Championship in 2008."
The course, designed by Arnold Palmer, winner of seven major championships, opened its doors in 2001. The TPC River’s Bend was named a Golf Digest "Top 10 Best New Private Course in America" in 2002 and was again rated as one of the "Best in State" by Golf Digest from 2005-08. The TPC River’s Bend has also played host to the Kroger Classic, a Champions Tour event, from 2002-04. For more information on the host site, please visit:www.tpcriversbend.com.
PGA Professional, General Manager and Director of Golf for the TPC River’s Bend Chris Wood is eager to bring a prestigious event to the Greater Cincinnati area.
"Our club wants to host the biggest and best," said Wood. "Anytime you and your members are able to host an event like this, it is nothing short of great."
Wood also believes that the surrounding communities will rally behind the Junior PGA Championship.
"The community will no doubt be interested in this Championship," said Wood. "They will not only follow the boys and girls around the course during the week of the Junior PGA Championship, but also follow their future careers and see how they develop as golfers."
Begun in 1976, The Junior PGA Championship has traditionally produced unforgettable golf performances and brings together the best junior golfers from around the country to compete for the Jack Nicklaus Trophy in the boys’ division and the Patty Berg Trophy in the girls’ division. For more information on the Junior PGA Championship please visit:www.pga.com/juniors.
The Championship has been a stepping stone for competitors to either collegiate or Tour professional careers. The list of past Champions includes some of the most prominent current Tour professionals: Billy Andrade (1981), Billy Mayfair (1982), 2001 PGA Champion David Toms (1984), Sean O’Hair (1998), reigning U.S. Women’s Open Champion Cristie Kerr (1995), Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996), Aree Song (1999, 2000), In-Bee Park (2001, ’02) and 2007 LPGA Rookie of the Year Angela Park (2004).
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives, and award-winning golf promotions. Today’s PGA Professional is the public’s link to the game, serving an essential role in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
Contact:
Randy Stutzman
561/624-8438
rstutzman@pgahq.com
