Orlando-based tournament wins Invitational of the Year Award
BRASELTON, Ga. – The ANNIKA Foundation, which annually organizes the ANNIKA Invitational with the American Junior Golf Association, has earned the 2010 Invitational of the Year Award from the AJGA. The AJGA Invitational of the Year Award is given annually to the invitation-only tournament that creates an unparalleled championship experience at the AJGA’s highest-level event.
Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual media coverage, fundraising, charitable giving, volunteer base and hospitality. The AJGA also recognizes its golf professional of the year, most improved event, best new tournament and overall tournament of the year.
Held at Reunion Resort for the second year, the ANNIKA Invitational was a special event for the girls in the tournament. Not only were they competing against the top juniors from around the world on the challenging Independence Course, but after the rounds they were treated to a myriad of special events. Tournament participants attended the ANNIKA Clinic sponsored by Rolex, where the LPGA Hall of Fame member worked with the girls on various golf shots. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club hosted a dinner following the clinic where trips to various Ritz-Carlton destinations were raffled away to the parents. Following the second round, players participated in the “Healthy 100 Athletes” program at Florida Hospital. During this special evening, players heard from Annika and her team on subjects ranging from health and nutrition to media training. Sponsors and other stakeholders were also recognized and enjoyed a round of golf and a banquet at the Callaway Golf Junior-Am.
“I am glad the players and AJGA have recognized the time we put in to try and create an inspiring week for them,” Annika said. “We are honored to be named Invitational of the Year. We have received two awards in two years, so now we just have to keep working hard.”
This is the tournament’s second consecutive year to win an AJGA Tournament Award. In its inaugural year, the ANNIKA Invitational took home the Newcomer of the Year Award. Annika’s involvement with the AJGA goes well beyond hosting an award-winning tournament. She also serves as the Association’s National Chairman and has committed to the endowment of an ACE Grant, which will guarantee financial assistance for juniors in future generations.
The Tournament Committee will accept its award at the AJGA’s Annual Meeting, which will be held March 11 – 13 at ChÂteau Élan Resort in Braselton, Ga.
The American Junior Golf Association 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. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.
Titleist, the AJGA’s National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association’s success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA’s second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.
For more information, please contact Ashley O’Dell (aodell@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1787, or visit ajga.org.
Contact:
Ashley O’Dell, AJGA
(678) 425-1787
aodell@ajga.org
