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Two
Companies to Add Spice to AJGA Events |
OGIO
and the Long Drivers of America to support special events |
The
AJGA is teaming up with OGIO and the Long Drivers of America
in 2005 to bring even more flare to a number of its events.
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OGIO,
the company known for its revolutionary golf bags and components,
will become a Tournament Partner for two events in 2005.
“While so many people know OGIO for action sports, our
roots are in the golf world,” explained OGIO Golf Sales
Manager Andy Gilkison. “In reality, the skills needed
for golf are similar to the adrenaline pursuits, with balance
and mental strength being key. A number of our Team OGIO motocross,
skateboarding and snowboarding athletes are also huge into golf.
By teaming with the AJGA, we hope to continue opening doors
between our two worlds and illustrate that golf is an adrenaline
sport.”
OGIO will sponsor the tournament cookouts at the Stars of Texas
Junior in Austin, Texas, and the MindMatters Junior Championship
in Pittsburgh. Each cookout will feature demonstrations from
the best athletes in the world in one of the following: BMX,
motocross or skateboard. OGIO will also provide a gift to each
participant in the two tournaments.
“This will be one of the most unique activities we have
ever had at a tournament,” said Jason Etzen, AJGA executive
vice president of development. “We are thrilled about
OGIO’s commitment to the AJGA and junior golf.”
Recognized as a 2004 Business Week IDEA Award winner, OGIO is
a leading innovator known for its action sport designs, fabrics
and componentry. The privately held company, founded in 1987,
distributes branded products internationally, and operates an
original equipment manufacturer division - known as OGIO Engineered
- for other internationally respected brands. The Utah-based
company’s collection includes golf bags; backpacks; snow,
skate and surf packs; school packs; motocross bags; messenger
bags; and other active gear.
The AJGA will also team with the Long Drivers of America to
host two RE/MAX Junior World Long Drive Championship qualifying
events as well.
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AJGA
members who receive invitations to the FootJoy Boys Invitational
in Greensboro, N.C., and the Rolex Girls Junior Championship
in Daytona Beach, Fla., will have the opportunity on Tuesday,
June 14, to compete in qualifying events associated with the
2005 RE/MAX Junior World Long Drive Championship.
“We’re really excited to begin a relationship with
the Long Drivers of America and the RE/MAX Junior World Long
Drive Championship,” said Jason Etzen, AJGA executive
vice president of development. “It is going to be a very
fun and unique event that will showcase some of the best junior
golfers in the world and their ability to rip it off the tee.”
Through an agreement between the AJGA and Long Drivers of America,
winners of the long drive competition at the two AJGA Invitational
events will earn spots in the RE/MAX junior finals, scheduled
for August 10-13, 2005 at the National Sports Center in Minneapolis.
A field of 288 junior golfers will vie for RE/MAX long drive
titles in eight age group divisions, four each for boys and
girls. Champions will be crowned in the nine and under, 10-12,
13-15 and 16-18 divisions.
"Based on the remarkable performances we've seen from juniors
during RE/MAX championship week in Mesquite (Nevada), we felt
it was time to create a competition exclusively for junior golfers
with its own regional qualifying events and own world finals,"
said Art Sellinger, LDA's chief executive officer. "It's
amazing to see the speed and power junior golfers can create.
I'm sure the AJGA standouts competing in these two special qualifying
events in June will post the same kind of impressive numbers."
The RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, which brings together
the longest drivers in the world, has conducted the junior competition
for three years.
"We invite all AJGA members and other junior golfers to
participate in the inaugural RE/MAX Junior World Long Drive
Championship," Sellinger said. "Besides the two AJGA
events in June, we have an additional 34 regional qualifying
events taking place between now and the first of August. Qualifiers
will take place all across North America, so finding one within
a particular geographic region won't be difficult."
What can AJGA members take part in their first official long
drive competition expect to experience? According to Sellinger,
they can count on having a real blast.
"Everyone who plays golf enjoys taking out the big stick
and seeing how far they can move their ball off the tee,"
he said. "It's no secret that the driver is the most popular
club in the bag, so we encourage every golfer, especially juniors,
to tee it up and take a rip."
Information on the Long Drivers of America and the 2005 RE/MAX
Junior World Long Drive Championship, including rules and regulations
for the competition, can be obtained at www.longdrivers.com
or by calling (888) 233-4654. |
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