| AJGA's
Care Fore the Course Campaign in Full Swing
Players who have competed
in AJGA tournaments the first
few weeks of the summer have
most likely noticed a new addition
the tournament schedule of
events. “Care Fore the
Course” parties are now
an integral part of an AJGA
tournament week, and we couldn’t
be more excited about it.
 |
Players
and parents at the Junior
All-Star at Aspen learn
how to properly fix a
divot. |
Many players and parents have
participated, but for those
who are unfamiliar with one
of the AJGA’s newest
initiatives, let us explain.
The AJGA is proud to host its
tournaments at some of the
country's best golf courses. We
came to realize that to keep
hosting tournaments at these
courses, an initiative needed
to be put in place to keep
the courses in the same great
condition they were found. In
order to help educate and promote
the proper respect of its host
golf courses, the AJGA developed
the "Care Fore the Course" campaign.
The initiative,
launched in conjunction with
the Golf Course Superintendents
Association of America, the
National Golf Course Owners
Association and the PGA of
America, is comprised of several
key points. The AJGA believes
education is the first step
to ensuring proper golf course
respect. To teach players proper
etiquette, videos will be shown
describing the correct way
to fix a ball mark, repair
a divot and rake a bunker at
Player Meetings. This meeting
will be attended by the course's
superintendent, who will touch
on course features, environmental
qualities and careers in golf
course maintenance.
 |
Over
70 players came out at
the Rolex Tournament
of Champions to care
for the Scarlet Course. |
So players
can implement what they have
learned, the AJGA has been
hosting “Care
Fore the Course” parties at each tournament, usually after the second
round. Armed with buckets of sand and divot tools provided by HP, players head
back out on the golf course to fix ball marks and refill divots, including
those on well-worn driving ranges. AJGA staff members help lead the charge,
and it takes about an hour to cover the entire course.
So far, “Care Fore the
Course” parties have
been a rousing success. Players
(and even some parents!) have
jumped at the chance to thank
host golf courses. At the Junior
All-Star at Lake Havasu, there
were more players wanting to
participate than there were
golf carts to hold them. Host
facilities have been more than
appreciative of the gesture – Red
Tail Golf Club in Avon, Ohio,
site of the SAP Junior Open,
even suspended member play
during the “Care Fore
the Course” party because
everyone there believed in
the initiative that much.
The AJGA is dedicated to this
initiative and expects all members
to take great pride in the host
facilities. We encourage all players to take part in
more “Care Fore the Course” parties throughout the summer and hope
that proper golf course maintenance is not soon forgotten!
|
