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In
This Issue
Teeing
Off:
Angela
Jerman, an AJGA and collegiate standout, showed a college degree is still important
– even with the LPGA knocking at the door.
View
from Chateau:
This
former director of communications, reflects on his weekend back with the AJGA
– a weekend well spent in his mind.
The
Gallery:
See the AJGA's
25th Anniversary Reunion photo gallery.
The
Scoring Tent:
Here
are the winners from the 25th Anniversary Reunion festivties.
News
From the Fringe:
The
Feedback Forum
Win a FREE Polo Golf Shirt!
You Said It...
The Feedback Forum's Response of the Month. The winner
is...
Head
of the Class
These
20 juniors get it done on the golf course and in the classroom.
Where
Dreams Come True
There is
no greater setting than The Walt Disney World Resort for the season-ending Polo
Golf Junior Classic.
The
Other Game in Town
With
the Callaway Golf Junior All-Star Series Championship coinciding with the Polo
Golf Junior Classic, Orlando annually becomes a hotbed of junior talent.
By
the Book
How well do you know the rules of golf? Not as good as Gus Montano, the AJGA
director of education. He'll test you here.
THE
AJGA LINK HOME
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Deep
Thoughts From the AJGA Reunion
This former AJGA
staff member used the 25th Anniversary Reunion to reflect
on where the AJGA has been and where it is going.
By Duff Tittle
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In
mid-September 1993, I left the AJGA for a new job in Hawaii.
As I drove down Holcomb Bridge Road for the last time, I couldn't
help but wonder if I would ever see Horseshoe Bend or the AJGA
again.
During my three years in Atlanta, the staff at the AJGA had
become like family. I wondered if that would be the last time
I saw many of the staff.
Tucked
within the trees at Horseshoe Bend Country Club
in Atlanta, the original national headquarters
housed the AJGA from 1982 until 2000. |
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On November
1-3, 2002, I had the opportunity to return to Georgia to attend
the Silver Anniversary Celebration of the AJGA.
What an incredible experience.
Not only was it a chance to see people I thought I may never
see again, but it also gave me the opportunity to celebrate
the success of the AJGA and reflect on an organization that
has had an impact on my life and many others.
The AJGA is an incredible success story.
As you look back on its history, many of the successes are obvious.
The AJGA has gone from two tournaments in 1978 to 106 tournaments
and qualifying events in 2002. It started with a meager staff
of two people to more than 40 current full-time personnel. Like
the thousands of juniors who have advanced through the program
over the past 25 years, the AJGA has really grown up.
Tittle
(left) worked with Kent Condon (middle) and Mark
Reed (right) in the old office at Horseshoe Bend
in the early '90s. |
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From a golf
perspective, it's easy to see how the AJGA has played a role
in the development of thousands of juniors. Names like Tiger
Woods, Justin Leonard, David Duval, Stewart Cink, Emilee Klein,
Kelli Kuehne are just a few of the AJGA alumni who came through
the program during my era in the early '90s. Thanks to the media,
their successes at the professional level are well documented
and easy to follow.
What was really fascinating and rewarding for me, was to see
how the AJGA had played a role in the professional development
of many former staff members.
Like so many others, the AJGA was a stepping stone for my career.
It gave me valuable experience and helped me develop skills
that have helped me professionally.
During
my time at the AJGA I worked with about 25-30 people. Some are
still there and have played an important role in the Association's
growth and success. Others have gone on to be successful in
a wide variety of professions.
Several have graduated on to other golf organizations like the
PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, USGA, Royal Canadian Golf Association,
PGA of America and various other associations. Others have also
remained in golf, working for equipment companies, development
companies and management companies. Some are tournament directors
for PGA TOUR events and some have gone on to become very successful
college golf coaches.
The
new National Headquarters, opened in 2000 northeast
of Atlanta in Braselton, is home to over 40 AJGA
staff members and measures 14,000 square feet. |
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Other former
AJGA staff members have pursued professions outside of golf,
such as newspaper editors, marketing directors, college athletic
administrators, real estate agents, corporate sales directors
and small business owners. There is also a rare book dealer
and a travel business operator. One has even gone on to become
an agronomist.
They say the success of a company can be measured in the quality
of its people. My hat is off to the many people, past and present,
who have made the AJGA what it is today.
The AJGA's mission statement indicates the association is "dedicated
to the overall growth and development of young men and women
who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive
junior golf."
Somewhere along the way the AJGA accomplished more than just
its stated mission. It has provided a great training ground
for dozens of employees who are making a real difference in
the world.
I'm proud to say I played a very small role in the amazing success
story that is the AJGA.
Congratulations on the first 25 years – hope to see you
in another 25.
Duff Tittle was the AJGA director of communications from 1990-93.
He is currently the associate athletic director for communications
at Brigham Young University. He and his wife Sherry live in
Orem, Utah. They have five children. |
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