BEAVERTON, Ore. – Leupold® continues as the title sponsor of the American Junior Golf Association’s innovative Pace of Play program.
Initiated in 2003, the AJGA Pace of Play program gives the world’s top junior golfers the opportunity to learn how to compete and play ready golf on some of the best courses in the country. In addition to its Pace of Play sponsorship, Leupold is the Official Rangefinder of the AJGA.
“The AJGA’s nationally recognized Pace of Play program is essential to the growth and development of junior golfers,” said Jason Etzen, AJGA chief business officer. “Leupold’s involvement in the Pace of Play program has elevated the program to new heights, as AJGA members have access to better equipment and resources to understand the importance of Pace of Play. We look forward to Leupold’s continued involvement as a leader in the golf industry.”
Leupold has a seven-year partnership commitment to the AJGA and its Pace of Play program.
“We are firm believers in Pace of Play and its continued efforts to improve the game of golf,” said Rob Morrison, vice president, global marketing for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It’s exciting to see how junior golfers are using our digital laser rangefinders in AJGA tournaments to help them play at a high level and complete their rounds faster.”
In 2016, Leupold’s sponsorship includes providing GX®-4i2 rangefinders and binoculars for use in practice rounds and tournaments, and promoting Pace of Play results and tips on AJGA’s Facebook and Twitter platforms, and in The Insider magazine.
The Pace of Play program is managed using a set time par developed using historical data, walks from tee to green, weather and course difficulty through six on-course checkpoints. The program has been successful at more than 1,000 AJGA tournaments since 2003. An average round at an AJGA tournament (threesomes, tee times) has consistently been under 4 hours, 30 minutes. The AJGA maintains records of each competitive round and looks to improve its average Pace of Play each year.
About the AJGA
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 nearly 6,500 members from 49 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade-Adidas Golf became the AJGA’s National Sponsor in 2016 after more than 25 years of support. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, 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 600 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Stacy Lewis, Vicky Hurst, Alison Lee, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.
For more information about the AJGA, contact Michelle Hantak at (678) 425-1787 or by e-mail at mhantak@ajga.org.
About Leupold
Leupold’s line of rangefinders is designed to be the fastest and most accurate in golf. The line includes the new GX®-2i2, which comes packed with advanced technology that enables golfers to easily customize the rangefinder to their individual needs. Other offerings include GX-4i2, GX-3i2, GX-1i2 and PinCaddie® 2. For more information, go to www.leupold.com/golf or call 1-800-LEUPOLD. Join the discussion on Facebook, www.facebook.com/LeupoldOptics, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LeupoldOptics or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/LeupoldOptics.
Founded in Oregon more than a century ago, Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a fifth generation, family owned company with product lines including rifle, handgun and spotting scopes; binoculars; rangefinders; mounting systems; and optical tools, accessories and Pro Gear.
Leupold & Stevens, Inc., P.O. Box 688, Beaverton, OR 97075-0688, U.S.A.
Phone: (800) LEUPOLD or (503) 526-1400 • Fax: (503) 352-7621 • www.leupold.com
Contact:
Shane Meisel
(503) 941-3746
smeisel@leupold.com
Jeff Patterson
Swanson Russell
(402) 437-6410
jeffp@swansonrussell.com
