PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has announced the 34th Junior PGA Championship will be contested July 28-31, returning for the second consecutive year to The TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, Ohio.
“After hosting one of the most exciting Junior PGA Championships in its long and storied history last year, we are excited to bring the Championship back to TPC River’s Bend in 2009,” said PGA of America Vice President Allen Wronowski, who also serves as the Championship’s Chairman. “The design and layout tested the competitors last year and will once again provide a stern test of golf to some of the best junior talent from across the country.”
The TPC River’s Bend, designed by seven-time major champion Arnold Palmer, 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 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 excited to host the Junior PGA Championship for a second consecutive year.
“It was a true pleasure to host the Junior PGA Championship in 2008 and we are looking forward to hosting it again in July,” said Wood. “We received tremendous support from our membership, who got a closer look at the future of the sport.”
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: PGAJuniorSeries.com.
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), Cristie Kerr (1995), 2008 Masters Champion Trevor Immelman (1996), Grace Park (1996), Aree Song (1999, 2000), reigning U.S. Women’s Open Champion In-Bee Park (2001, ’02) and 2007 LPGA Rookie of the Year Angela Park (2004).
Five members of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team – Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk and Anthony Kim – have competed in the Junior PGA Championship.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Randy Stutzman
The PGA of America
561/624-8438
rstutzman@pgahq.com