ACE Grant surpasses $1 million in reimbursements

AJGA surpasses $1 million mark in monies reimbursed through ACE Grant
Financial assistance program reaches milestone in ninth year

BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association has reimbursed $1 million through its Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program, which has helped provide 2,561 playing opportunities for junior golfers since the program began in 2003. The ACE Grant plays an integral role in helping the AJGA fulfill its Mission, as 409 junior golfers, ages 12-18, have gained greater access to a national tournament schedule with help from the financial assistance program.

“The ACE Grant is one of the most important initiatives the AJGA has ever undertaken,” said AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin. “It is critically important that the AJGA help give young golfers who may have the talent, but not the resources, the opportunity to compete on a national stage to gain exposure for a college golf scholarship.”

Recognizing the need to provide playing opportunities to all junior golfers, regardless of financial resources, the AJGA introduced the ACE Grant program in 2003. During the program’s first year, the AJGA gave 12 ACE Grants and reimbursed nearly $15,000. Over the course of the last nine years, the AJGA has accepted every qualifying junior golfer that has applied for an ACE Grant.

Seven ACE Grants are endowed, thanks to the generous support of the Bruce Slovitt Memorial, HP, Deutsche Bank, the Lowry Family, the Bradley Johnson Memorial, and AJGA National Chairmen Hunter Mahan and Annika Sorenstam.

“The ANNIKA Foundation is a proud supporter of the AJGA and the ACE Grant program through our Invitational tournament each year at Reunion Resort near Orlando,” Annika said. “Our Foundation strives to give all children an opportunity to both learn about golf and compete at the highest level, and the ACE Grant program closely aligns with our mission to do this.”

The AJGA has reached the million-dollar milestone in a record-breaking year for the ACE Grant, as reimbursements for the 2011 season are expected to exceed $240,000 and help 147 junior golfers by the end of the year.

To make a donation to the ACE Grant program, visit ajga.org/donations. For more information, please contact Chris Richards (crichards@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1789 or visit ajga.org/ACEGrant.

American Junior Golf Association

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 AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and more than 40 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, 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. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 500 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel.