By John Egnot and Greg Smith
AJGA Communications Department

Every January, the AJGA welcomes a new crop of employees on board as full-time staff members. The Association is relying heavily on this year’s new hires to produce great results and help make 2005 the best season in AJGA history. While these new workers are just beginning their careers, The AJGA Link would like to honor the new hires for some of their achievements that may otherwise go unnoticed. So, without further ado, we present to you, the inaugural new hire “Linkies.”

The “Where Have I Seen this Guy Before?” Award
John Egnot - Communications
For no explainable reason, Egnot has made cameo appearances in a variety of golf publications including a regional magazine and an ABC Sports special. It is unclear whether Egnot has better agent representation than the rest of the AJGA staff or what, but he is quickly becoming, for better or for worse, the unofficial face of the AJGA. Look for him in a publication near you.

The “Cover Your Dome in Sunscreen” Award
Ryan Hybl – Tournament Operations
The 1998 Rolex Junior Player of the Year turned Tournament Director discovered he was losing his hair at age 21. The stress of being a world-class golfer, as well as the stress of securing donated bottled water for tournaments have been pinpointed as the reasons for this unfortunate occurrence.

The “Duck and Run” Award
Jessica Van Orden – Receptionist
During the 2004 AJGA Staff Retreat, Van Orden displayed her prowess and killer instinct during a game of softball. While playing center field, a ball was hit in Van Orden’s direction. She clearly wanted no part of it. Fortunately, the ball didn’t hit her on the way down as she attempted to avoid it at all costs.

The “AJGA Poet Laureate” Award
Richard Mudafort – Finance
It’s not often that a numbers guy entertains an audience with his prose and poetry. But once you get Mudafort going on the scenery at the Rolex Tournament of Champions in Sunriver, Ore., in 2004, you know that no accounting textbook or boy scout troop leader could teach someone to fall in love with nature that much. Look out Wordsworth; Mudafort is on to you.

The “Don’t Always Trust First Impressions” Award
Randi Reed – Tournament Operations
While getting ready for her first date with a guy during college, Reed heard the doorbell ring. Rushed and in a frenzy, the McMurray University grad tripped down the stairs as she hurried to answer the door. Reed was able to downplay the ensuing back injury for the duration of the date. The next day, she was accompanied to the chiropractor by her golf coach.

The “Ambidexterity” Award
Greg Smith – Communications
Greg had the distinct pleasure of playing a round of golf with AJGA Board of Directors President Gayle Champagne during his intern summer. On the fourth hole, Smith, a left-handed golfer, made solid contact with his tee shot. Unfortunately, the ball traveled directly out of play. It was one of the worst and most incredible sights a person has ever seen on a golf course. Fortunately, the ball missed all of the $400,000 houses lining the fairway. However, it prompted to Champagne to ask Smith, "Maybe you're right-handed?"

The “Why do I Keep Coming Back?” Award
Matt Dougherty – Player Services
A classic example of the cliché, “If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em,” Dougherty served as a summer intern with the AJGA in 2003, not far removed from his playing days as a junior where he finished in last place in both an AJGA tournament and a qualifier. Now, “Doc” answers questions about qualifiers and tournaments in the Player Services department. Ironic, eh?

The “Beautiful Mind” Award
Tommy Tangtiphaiboontana – Tournament Operations
Also given the award for best name at the AJGA, Tommy was given this award in honor of his collegiate career at Yale. Now, Tommy is putting his hard-earned education to good use and is looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Yale grads George W. Bush, John Kerry and Bill Clinton. The AJGA is fortunate to have such a great mind amongst its staff.

The “Curse of Sweat” Award
Chandler Sweat – Player Services
Second runner-up for the best last name at the AJGA award, this honor was bestowed on Sweat shortly after the 2004 Ashworth Junior at Norman. Sweat’s first, and so far only appearance on site at an AJGA event, resulted in the cancellation of the final round due to a tropical storm in the middle of Oklahoma. Look for Sweat to improve his record at the PING Junior at the Woodlands in March.

The “Save Yourselves Later” Award
Robin Boulter – Finance
As is typically the case, severe weather rolled in following the Junior-Am at the 2004 Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Junior. The awards display was set up in a tent outdoors with a massive storm rolling in. Boulter spearheaded the effort to keep everything dry. Fighting the relentless wind gusts and torrential downpours, Boulter coordinated an effort that kept everything dry, except of course, the 10-15 staff members who helped out.

The “Are We There Yet?” Award
Jonah Beck – Tournament Operations
Jonah had the misfortune of eating some bad steak the evening before the final round of the 2004 Nike Golf Junior at Haggin Oaks. Not only was Jonah left feeling extremely ill throughout the last day of play, he continued to experience issues with his stomach the entire trip to the next tournament site, which by the way was an 18-hour venture, leaving Jonah in the back of the intern van asking "Are we there yet?"

And finally...

The "Priceless" Awa.....Wait a minute. This doesn't even justify an award. This is just disturbing. Pictured is Matt Larson of the Sponsorhip Department. Feel free to add your own caption.

The AJGA Link hopes you have enjoyed "Linkies". Be sure to check back in 2006, where new hardware will be handed out and more disturbing, disturbing stories will be told!