| Polo
Golf Junior Classic Moves to Ginn Reunion Resort
Longstanding AJGA match play event returning
to Orlando after three-year absence
The Polo Golf Junior Classic, which
will take place for the 30th consecutive year in 2007,
will be staged for the first time on two of Ginn Reunion
Resort’s signature courses, the Tom Watson-designed
Independence and the Arnold Palmer-designed Legacy
in Reunion, Fla., November 17-23, the American Junior
Golf Association announced Thursday. The three-year
agreement brings the Polo Golf Junior Classic back
to the Orlando area for the first time in three years
after being staged at Walt Disney World Resort’s
Palm and Magnolia Courses from 1995-2003.
The 2007 Polo Golf Junior
Classic moves to the picturesque Ginn Reunion Resort
in Reunion, Fla. |
Ginn Reunion Resort is home to the
Ginn OPEN, one of the most talked about new events
that appeared on the 2006 LPGA schedule. In its inaugural
year, the event featured a $2.5 million purse and 49
of the top 50 players on the 2005 money list. This
year’s Ginn OPEN will take place April 12-15.
This spring, the world’s No. 1-ranked female golfer Annika Sorenstam will
unveil the resort’s latest addition, The Annika Academy, a boutique-style
golf and fitness instructional facility. Sorenstam’s longtime swing coach
Henri Reis and personal trainer Kai Fusser will be full-time staff members
at the academy.
“All of us with Ginn Reunion are elated with the chance to host such a
prestigious event,” said Peter Bonell, vice president of sales & marketing
for Ginn Reunion. “Golf, especially the development of the junior player,
remains a primary focus with Ginn Golf.”
The Polo Golf Junior Classic marks the first tournament of the AJGA’s 2008
season. The event consists of 36 holes of stroke play after which the 162-player
field is cut to the top 32 boys and 32 girls. Match play then decides the champion
in each division. Ginn Reunion Resort’s Watson and Palmer Courses will
be used during the stroke play rounds and the first round of match play. The
Watson Course will be the lone course utilized during the final four rounds
of match play competition.
“The AJGA and its members are very appreciative to those at Ginn Reunion
Resort who welcomed the Polo Golf Junior Classic with such enthusiasm,” AJGA
Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “This event is steeped in history
with many great past champions and host venues; we are looking forward to writing
a new chapter with Ginn Resorts.”
The list of former champions is one of the most impressive in the AJGA’s
history. Jamie Lovemark (2005), Morgan Pressel (2004), Brian Harman (2003),
Paula Creamer (2002), Spencer Levin (2001), Hunter Mahan (1998), Beth Bauer
(1995, 1997), Trevor Immelman (1995), Grace Park (1994, 1996), Tiger Woods
(1991) and Stewart Cink (1989) all won the prestigious title during their careers
with the AJGA.
Ginn Reunion Resort now becomes only the fifth venue to host the Polo Golf Junior
Classic, joining Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club (1978-1989) in Palm Harbor,
Fla., La Paloma Country Club (1990-1994) in Tucson, Ariz., Walt Disney World
Resort (1995-2003) in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Sea Island Golf Club (2004-2006)
in Sea Island, Ga.
 |
About Ginn Reunion Resort
Ginn Reunion Resort is a luxury golf resort in Orlando
that will feature up to 6,000 varied accommodations
including single- and multi-family homes, condominiums
and townhomes. Amenities include three signature
golf courses, award-winning tennis, a boutique spa,
a waterpark and state-of-the-art meeting space. The
centerpiece of the community is Reunion Grande, a
luxury high-rise with 82 one- and two-bedroom suites
and fine dining. For more information, visit www.reunionresort.com.
About Ginn Resorts
Ginn Resorts is a privately-held resort development
and management firm specializing in exclusive leisure
lifestyle and vacation destination communities. The
firm owns and operates communities across the United
States and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Celebration,
Fla., the firm’s principals have more than
three decades of experience in creating large-scale,
master-planned resorts and recreation-oriented communities.
For more information, visit www.ginnresorts.com. |
