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Rolex Watch USA Becomes
First AJGA Premier Partner
Longtime AJGA sponsor inks a five-year deal, increasing
its support of junior golf
With Rolex Watch USA approaching its third
decade of support of the American Junior Golf Association,
a new title now stands next to its name: Premier Partner.
A five-year agreement secures Rolex as the inaugural Premier
Partner, crowning this distinguished timepiece maker as one
of the largest contributors in the 26-year history of the
AJGA.
“This new commitment to the AJGA underscores
our long-term view of communications,” said Rolex Watch
USA President Walter Fischer. “Providing recognition
and support for junior players today allows Rolex to be associated
with the ideals of sportsmanship and the wonderful traditions
in golf that are so important to the future. The AJGA reflects
the highest standards of the game, so it’s an ideal
match for Rolex.”
In
junior golf, Rolex has been synonomous with high-caliber
competition for nearly 20 years. Phil Mickelson
(pictured above) won the Rolex Tournament of Champions
three times during his junior career.
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With the added level of support, Rolex’s
presence in junior golf is heightened on numerous fronts.
Rolex is now the proprietor of the AJGA Rolex Players of the
Year, Rolex Junior All-America Teams and year ending Rolex
Junior All-America Awards Banquet. This year, the banquet
will take place on Nov. 23 at Sea Island Golf Club, where
the Rolex Junior Players of the Year and Rolex Junior All-America
Teams will be honored.
The two AJGA events it already sponsors –
the Rolex Tournament of Champions and Rolex Girls Junior Championship
– will now be elevated to an even higher status within
the top-tier of junior golf tournaments. These two events,
which have crowned such impressive champions as Phil Mickelson,
Charles Howell III, Beth Bauer and Grace Park, will continue
to attract junior golf’s brightest while providing the
best tournament experience possible.
As part of the agreement, Rolex also becomes
an Official Partner to the PING Junior Solheim Cup, an international
team match play event that pits the best junior girls from
the United States against their European counterparts. The
third biennial PING Junior Solheim Cup will take place at
the Bridgewater Club in Noblesville, Ind., Sept. 5-8, 2005.
Rolex was also named the inaugural Founding
Partner of the Achieving Competitive Excellence Grant in January.
The ACE Grant is designed to give top-flight junior golfers
the ability to play a national junior golf schedule despite
their financial resources. With Rolex’s support, the
AJGA hopes to help 25 deserving junior golfers in 2004.
“In 1985, Rolex became the first prominent
supporter of the AJGA by sponsoring the Rolex Tournament of
Champions,” said AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin.
“What’s even more special is that we have enjoyed
nearly 20 years with Rolex, which has created a win/win relationship.
This is clearly evident with Rolex recently upgrading their
involvement with the AJGA to Premier Partner.”
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