By Drea Braxmeier
Manager of Media Relations

In 2003, the American Junior Golf Association first introduced the junior golf world to the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program. The first of its kind, the ACE Grant set out to make sure junior golfers with the talent, but lacking the financial means, would be afforded an opportunity to play AJGA golf. By playing golf with the AJGA, these players are also gaining exposure to some of the country's top college coaches, allowing them the chance to one day play college golf.

The ACE Grant, a 100% privately funded program, helped 12 young golfers have the opportunity to play in its first year. Through the benevolence of Rolex, Polo Golf and private donors, the program continued to grow each year. In 2007, $288,780 has been granted to eligible golfers. This is just a small portion of the $936,980 that has been granted since 2003. Additionally, 2007 was a year in which more ACE Grants were awarded than ever before.

Sarah Brown of Phillipsburg, N.J.

“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.”

The fact that these golfers are good is just icing on the cake. Sarah Brown of Phillipsburg, N.J., has been an ACE Grant recipient for two years. In that time, she has found herself atop the leaderboard after the final round five times. She was a two-time champion at the Junior All-Star at Toftrees and also earned top billing at the Junior All-Star Championship at Langdon Farms Golf Club where she set a course record of 7-under-par 64. She had a successful 2007 season, as well. She won in a playoff twice – at the CorseMax/Philadelphia Runner Junior and the Fidelity Investments Junior Championship at Richter Park.

Joe David of Madison, Tenn.

Joe David of Madison, Tenn., is another shining star from 2007. Joe was honored with the Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet last November. As a member of the ACE Grant Program, Joe has had the opportunity to participate in numerous AJGA events. His top finish came in 2007 when he finished second at the Houchens Industries Junior Open. Since receiving the Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award, Joe has given a verbal commitment to play college golf at the University of Mississippi.

These are just two of the standout golfers who participated in the ACE Grant this year. In total, ACE Grant recipients played in 283 tournaments and 119 Srixon Qualifiers. If you need more proof of how good these golfers are, just think that 32 of these juniors finished in the top 10 in 68 events during this past season. In addition to Sarah, four more ACE Grant recipients finished first this season alone!

After being able to help 12 golfers in its first year, the ACE Grant has now reached out and in 2007 allowed 77 junior golfers to receive financial assistance. The granted monies for 2007 have topped $288,000. The AJGA is nearing the $1,000,000 mark for money that has been awarded to those eligible for the program and will certainly exceed that number in 2008.

Each year, the ACE Grant continues to receive additional donations. In 2007, $187,519 has been raised for the ACE Grant, $71,445.00 of which was raised for the Bruce Slovitt ACE Grant Endowment. Each year, the leftover money is rolled into the following year's ACE Grant fund, allowing the opportunity for additional ACE Grants to be awarded.

To make a donation or to learn more about how to become a member of the ACE Grant Program, visit the AJGA Web site, or contact Bob Miller at bmiller@ajga.org.