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USGA,
AJGA Announce Joint Junior Golf Initiative |
Community
service and educational programs at core of partnership |
The
United States Golf Association has partnered with the American
Junior Golf Association to launch an initiative aimed at the
overall growth and development of junior golfers, the USGA and
AJGA announced Friday.
“The United States Golf Association is pleased to announce
its partnership with the American Junior Golf Association,”
said Fred Ridley, president of the USGA. “By working more
closely and in a more coordinated fashion, we will be able to
reach even more youth and provide education to the next generation
of golfers regarding the values and life lessons inherent in
the game.”
Ridley and Stephen Hamblin, executive director of the AJGA,
announced the formation of this joint initiative at Long Cove
Club on Hilton Head Island, S.C., where they are attending the
AJGA’s 28th annual Rolex Tournament of Champions.
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| AJGA
Executive Director Stephen Hamblin and USGA President
Fred Ridley at the Rolex Tournament of Champions. |
“The USGA deserves tremendous credit for reaching out
to organizations like the AJGA and trying to create a win-win
relationship,” Hamblin said. “It is the ultimate
compliment to us when an organization like the USGA is willing
to support our mission and purpose.”
The initiative focuses on community service and education, which
the organizations hope will contribute to the overall growth
and development of young golfers, while strengthening the game
of golf.
“The young people we are reaching today, through AJGA
events, USGA Junior Championships and the USGA Grants and Fellowship
Program are the game’s leaders of tomorrow,” Ridley
said. “Our joint efforts with the AJGA will benefit the
game today and in the years to come.”
The community service initiative will be achieved by the formation
of the USGA/AJGA Youth Leadership Club. AJGA members will be
encouraged to “give back to the game” by donating
their time and talent to programs supported by the USGA Grants
Initiative. Each July, at the Rolex Tournament of Champions,
the president of the USGA will be on hand to present the President’s
Youth Leadership Club Award to one boy and one girl who have
demonstrated the leadership skills, character and community
service through their involvement in the program.
The education initiative will serve as a vehicle for teaching
AJGA members about the Rules of Golf, rules of amateur status,
and etiquette, while providing USGA-produced resource materials
to each junior. In addition, the USGA staff will provide expertise
as rules officials at AJGA Invitational events and instructors
at AJGA Junior Player Workshops. Also, all AJGA members will
be given a complimentary USGA Junior Membership.
To further develop the future leaders of golf, the USGA will
annually provide four PJ Boatwright Interns to learn all aspects
of golf administration at the AJGA National Headquarters each
summer.
To aid in the implementation of the initiative, a USGA Executive
Committee member will serve on the AJGA Board of Directors.
The USGA, golf’s governing body in this country and Mexico,
works closely with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews,
Scotland to produce a uniform code of Rules of Golf that are
observed worldwide.
The organization’s most visible role, however, is played
out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including
the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, and U.S. Senior Open.
The other 10 national championships are exclusively for amateurs,
and include the U.S. Junior Amateur and the U.S. Girls’
Junior. Record entries were received in 2005 for the U.S. Open
and U.S. Women’s Open.
USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History
The United States Golf Association works to make the game of
golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, the Grants Initiative
has traditionally focused on programming for economically disadvantaged
kids and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Executive Committee
has extended this Grants Initiative to the end of the decade,
bringing total anticipated USGA support to $65 million to provide
financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs.
Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national
organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility
development, course access, girls’ golf, and initiatives
for individuals with disabilities. For more information on the
USGA Grants Initiative, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810
or visit the Grants Section of the USGA Web site at usga.org.
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