Milkshake stations, extreme player gifts and Guitar Hero are just a few of the amenities juniors had access to during the Thunderbird International Junior at Grayhawk Golf Club last May. These are just a few of the reasons the 2007 Thunderbird International Junior was awarded with the Hospitality Award during the Digger Smith Awards Banquet.
“Year in and year out, the Thunderbird International Junior continues to raise the bar in hospitality,” said Tournament Director Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana. “They continue to be a guide that other tournaments look up to in terms of generating their game plan for hospitality.
AJGA juniors always hail the Thunderbird International Junior as one of the top events during the season. In 2007, local organizers made sure to keep up this reputation. Juniors were treated to a special “Players Only Area,” where they enjoyed a milkshake station, ping-pong, racing games, NFL Blitz and Guitar Hero, in addition to many other amenities. Another highlight of the event came during the Glowbird Putting Contest. Staff members used more than 600 glow sticks to create a nine-hole putting course and the winners were awarded with an autographed Phil Mickelson photo.
In addition to receiving their traditional dozen Titleist golf balls and Polo shirts, players received gift packages from Callaway that included a shirt, a leather carrying case, a Callaway golf bag, an Odyssey putter, sunglasses and a Fossil watch. The staff of Grayhawk Golf Club and the Thunderbirds ensured juniors would continue making this a must-attend event each year.
“We are very proud and happy to host this great event,” said Doug Hodge, head golf professional at Grayhawk Golf Club. “We will continue to do all we can to make the Thunderbird International Junior a special event.”