Mariah Stackhouse of Riverdale, Ga., has been chosen to serve as one of the 2011 player representatives on the American Junior Golf Association Board of Directors.
The AJGA Board of Directors meets quarterly to discuss important and relevant topics concerning the state of the organization. Player representatives are the voice of the AJGA membership, which has exceeded 5,000 each year since 2006. Having two current juniors attend each meeting gives board members an insight into issues that occur at AJGA tournaments throughout the country.
Stackhouse, a junior in high school, has been playing in AJGA tournaments for the past four years and built a notable resume over that time by collecting 12 top-10 finishes. Because of her example on and off the course, Stackhouse has been chosen as the first African American in this position. Already a role model from her playing career, she will now be given the opportunity to step into an even greater leadership position.
It is something that represents my body of work, said Stackhouse. It lets other people see that Ive worked very hard to get to this point, yet I was still humble about it and its nice to be recognized. I always looked up to the player representative and thought it would be really cool. When Mr. Hamblin called and asked me, I considered it such a blessing.
Stackhouse, 16, will join her fellow player representative, Trey Kaahanui of Tempe, Ariz., at the Board meetings. She is currently ranked No. 19 in the Polo Golf Rankings and has claimed victories at the 2009 Ringgold Telephone Company Junior Classic and the 2010 AJGA Junior at Steelwood presented by AT&T.
I am excited to provide what goes on in the mind of juniors out there on the road, said Stackhouse. It is really going to be beneficial to learn how successful businesses are run and I think as player reps we are able to play a big part of it.