Imperial Junior Classic at Big Sky set to run August 7 – 10
BOURBON, MO – Imperial Headwear, voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for six consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels in 2022” by Golf Datatech, has been named the title sponsor of the long-standing open event in Big Sky, Montana.
The Imperial Junior Classic at Big Sky will be hosted at Big Sky Golf Course for the 5th time in 2023.
Imperial is one of the oldest brands in golf, and is the official headwear of the AJGA. Founded in 1916, Imperial has been designing and manufacturing premium headwear for more than 100 years. Some of Imperial’s partnerships and affiliations include: USGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, LPGA, Korn Ferry Tour, U.S. Open Championships, PGA Championships, Open Championships, Ryder Cups, Solheim Cups, and dozens of State and Regional Golf Associations.
“Imperial is so excited to be bringing the Imperial Junior Classic to Big Sky this year,” said David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales. “Our relationship with the AJGA and Boyne Resorts make this event an incredible opportunity for us to support the best junior golfers in the world competing at a world class venue.”
The AJGA’s annual event at Big Sky has featured some notable past champions and record setters in its five-year history. Current girls No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Gianna Clemente of Estero, Florida, won the 2021 edition setting the tournament 54-hole scoring record at 16-under-par 200. 2022 champion, Angela Zhang of Bellevue, Washington, earned her third win of the year at Big Sky. Zhang, currently ranked No. 23 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, went on to win again in the fall earning the most AJGA wins by any girl in 2022.
On the boys side, 2022 Junior Presidents Cup US Team member, Johnnie Clark of Mesa, Arizona, set the low-round (-8) and low 36-hole (-14) records in 2021. 2019 champion Ben Lorenz of Peoria, Arizona, is current junior on the University of Oklahoma golf team. 2018 champion Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins, Colorado, is a senior on Oklahoma State’s golf team.
Big Sky Golf Course was designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer in the late 1970’s and has been renovated over the years to provide championship level play. The award-winning scenic golf course is 6,500 feet above sea level making for longer drives and mountain views across the 18-holes.
Imperial has been the ‘Official Headwear of the AJGA’ since 2019 and will continue through 2026. AJGA staff and interns wear Imperial headwear at all AJGA events. Members of the 2023 Wyndham Cup, PING Junior Solheim Cup and 2024 Junior Presidents Cup teams will also sport Imperial hats as part of their team uniform.
About Imperial Headwear
Founded in 1916, Imperial Headwear is the leading manufacturer of premium quality headwear, apparel, and accessories for the golf market. Imperial’s products can be found at 99 of the Top 100 and over 75% of the Top 400 golf courses in the United States, and they were voted the #1 headwear brand for private and resort golf facilities for six consecutive years by the Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM) and reported as the “#1 headwear brand in the combined on and off course retail golf channels in 2022” by Golf Datatech. Imperial is committed to style, functionality, and perfection in fit and comfort. It is this commitment that has allowed the creation of a wide variety of headwear and apparel with quality that is second to none.
Renowned for its superior customer service and art customization capabilities, Imperial offers its products using the most innovative fabrics and designs, as well as logo decoration and embellishment technologies. For further information please visit Imperialsports.com. Follow Imperial on Instagram at @ImperialHats
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 12-19) of more than 7,900 members from 50 states and 51 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 and adidas are the AJGA’s National Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate, and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park and Lexi Thompson.
Tori Cole
Marketing Manager
Tcole@imperialsports.com
