All News Polo Ralph Lauren #InspiredPerformances Social Recap presented by True Temper
News

Polo Golf Junior Classic to be held at PGA National Resort & Spa

AJGA Invitational finds new home in Palm Beach Garden, Fla.

BRASELTON, Ga.PGA National Resort & Spa will host the 2009 Polo Golf Junior Classic and the Rolex Junior All-America Banquet, the American Junior Golf Association announced Thursday. In its 32nd year, the Polo Golf Junior Classic will bring 156 of the world’s best junior golfers, ages 12-18, to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Nov. 21-27, 2009.

Dubbed the “Greatest Night in Junior Golf,” the Rolex Junior All-America Banquet serves as an evening to honor junior golf’s best. During the banquet, the Rolex Junior Players of the Year, Rolex Junior All-Americans, HP Scholastic All-Americans, and the Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award winner will be recognized.

The Polo Golf Junior Classic is one of the most prestigious events on the AJGA schedule and will be played on two courses at PGA National – the Champion Course and the Haig Course. The Champion Course was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus and is a par-72 layout that plays to 7,048 yards, while the par-72 Haig Course was designed by George and Tom Fazio and plays to 6,806 yards.

“We are honored to be the new home of this prestigious junior golf event,” said PGA National Resort & Spa VP and Managing Director Joel Paige. “Many of the toughest tournaments and most talented players in the game of golf have been part of PGA National’s history. With year round mild weather and an extensive golf facility, including professional instruction and sports training, we think the Polo Golf Junior Classic will reach a new level of success in south Florida. I know we’re thrilled to kick off what will surely be a productive and long-lasting relationship.”

PGA National is no stranger to top-level competition, as it has played host to the 1983 Ryder Cup and countless Senior PGA Championships. In addition, the PGA TOUR’s Honda Classic has been played on the Champion Course since 2007.

“Anytime the AJGA is able to play our championships on courses that have hosted such storied events, it’s a great opportunity,” said AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin. “We are looking forward to a great week of golf at PGA National.”

Former champions of the Polo Golf Junior Classic include Stewart Cink, Tiger Woods, Trevor Immelman, Hunter Mahan, Brian Harman, Morgan Pressel, Paula Creamer, Grace Park and Beth Bauer.

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 largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of more than 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and more than 30 foreign countries.

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. More than 200 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 350 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

For more information about the Polo Golf Junior Classic, please contact Chris Richards in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1789.