54-hole event begins August 2nd
The American Junior Golf Association will return to Michigan when 99 of the nation’s top junior golfers compete in the 26th annual Randy Wise Junior Open, August 2-5. Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc will host the 54-hole stroke play event for the first time in 2010.
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP --
Notable past champions of the event that have gone on to succeed at the next level include Phil Mickelson, who earned back-to-back titles in 1987-1988. Paula Creamer followed in his footsteps to claim victory in 2001 and 2002, and Morgan Pressel won the event in 2003.
In 2009, local player Joey Garber of Petoskey, took home the title after making a birdie on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff. Garber has earned four top-10 finishes in national junior golf competition and recently won the Michigan Amateur. A 2009 honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American, Garber has signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Michigan.
In the Girls Division, Talia Campbell of Dallas, posted a three-day total of even-par 216 to claim her first AJGA victory. Campbell has earned four additional top-10 finishes in three years playing AJGA events.
A practice round will be held Monday, August 2, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Tournament play will begin Tuesday, August 3, with first- through final-round tee times running from 7 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. off the No. 1 tee at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club. Guests are welcome to attend and admission is free.
During the tournament week, some of the top juniors participating in the Randy Wise Junior Open will also take part in the Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament Monday, August 2. The Junior-Am will be a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club.
An excellent opportunity to entertain clients, reward employees or enjoy a tournament round with friends, the Junior-Am allows amateurs to play alongside the future stars of the game. Tiger Woods, Charles Howell III, Lucas Glover, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel are just a few of the thousands of talented players who participated in AJGA Junior-Ams when they were teenagers.
Supporting golf at the grassroots level, Junior-Ams allow the AJGA to make contributions to local junior golf charities and programs in hosting communities. In 2010, the proceeds of the Randy Wise Junior Open Junior-Am will benefit the Flint Junior Golf Association and the AJGA Foundation. To participate, contact Tournament Chairman Dr. Howard Foote at (810) 348-6514.
Prior to the event, an 18-hole K12 Qualifier will be held Sunday, August 1, at the The Jewel of Grand Blanc – Diamond Course. K12 Qualifiers give juniors an opportunity to “play their way in” to coinciding AJGA Open tournaments or build status for entry into a future event. The K12 Qualifier Series offers opportunities for AJGA juniors at approximately 50 AJGA Open events.
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 30 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 Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.
For more information, please contact Lindsey Dalter (ldalter@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1788 or visit the AJGA website at ajga.org.
