By Sara Wagoner
Communications Manager

He came as an intern and left as much more. In his time at the American Junior Golf Association, Assistant Executive Director Peter Ripa has been a friend, leader and more importantly a role model. Ripa recently announced his upcoming departure from the AJGA, as he will become the new tournament director of the PGA TOUR's Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial starting in January 2007.

Ripa served in many different roles during his time at the AJGA.

Ripa began his history with the AJGA in the summer of 1985 when he served as an operations intern. He returned the following summer as an intern and started full time the following spring as a tournament director. Ripa served as tournament director until his departure in 1990 when he left to serve as director of tournament administration and course rating for the Florida State Golf Association. During his time away from the AJGA he also served as tournament director for the Georgia PGA from 1994–1997.

In January of 1998, Ripa returned to the AJGA to serve as chief operations officer and most recently as assistant executive director.

During his time at the AJGA, Ripa ingrained his values, work ethic and passion on the AJGA.

“Overall, Peter instilled and helped create the culture of the AJGA,” Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “His enthusiasm, dedication, ability to think creatively and aspiration to be a great professional are what make him a great role model for all.”

Ripa served as the Tournament Director at The PING Invitational.

Ripa has served in many roles at the AJGA. Most recently he was responsible for the marketing, promotion and sponsor relations for 30 tournaments run by the organization. At the same time, Ripa served as mentor to the regional directors and has molded the foundation of the position.

“Empowerment was his greatest attribute,” Lee Pinchouck, vice president and Midwest regional director said. “He let us build the regional directors and determine what we were going to accomplish rather than dictate to us what our jobs would be.” 

While at the AJGA, Ripa worked hard to make the AJGA a national organization from the standpoint of building relationships with other national organizations such as the USGA, PGA TOUR, LPGA, IAGA and many others. He put the AJGA first and his personal issues second. He not only preached these values, he also practiced them.

“He worked hard to get respect for the organization,” Pinchouck said. “He knows everyone, and if he doesn’t, he made sure to introduce himself.”

Ripa's dedication and passion to improving junior golf will not soon be forgotten at the AJGA.

“We’ll miss him, but I know that a little of him has rubbed off on the rest of us,” Gayle Champagne, president of the board of directors, said. “After all, he’s not going to be gone, he’ll just be another great friend, in another city, in another great job.”