Ray Mundy, General Manager of Jones Creek Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, site of the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship, has been named the 2017 General Manager of the Year by the American Junior Golf Association. This award honors a general manager who displays unwavering support of the AJGA and junior golf by creating a memorable tournament experience for players, families, staff and volunteers.
Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation. Finally, the AJGA recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and general manager, as well as the most improved event, best new event, best Junior Golf Hub Preview Series tournament, best ACDS Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2017 season will be presented on-site at 2018 tournaments.
“We were introduced to the AJGA through one of our members and his son a number of years ago,” said Jones Creek Golf Club General Manager Ray Mundy. “Our focus is on golf being a lifelong experience. It’s not just a game, but a journey that can influence every aspect of your life. When the opportunity came along, we knew how important it was for junior golf in Augusta to have an event like this.”
Since coming to Jones Creek Golf Club in 2011, the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship has developed one of the strongest tournament committees in the country. Mundy, as a Co-Tournament Chair, has been instrumental since 2011 in improving the tournament experience each year.
“We just believe in the values of the kids, the commitment to the game and what it takes for their parents,” said Mundy. “If we can create with our environment a small taste of what it will be like to play on Tour or to play in college, we feel like that is something that will strengthen their commitment to continue playing golf.”
Mundy has helped with all aspects of the tournament over the years, including volunteers, fundraising and media coverage. The clubhouse is transformed into a player’s area, including lockers, hospitality area and lounge. Parking spots are reserved for past champions as are specific champions’ lockers.
Mundy’s family has even become a key part of the tournament in recent years.
“My wife is the Assistant Tournament Chair, and my twin daughters and older daughter are making nametags and putting volunteer bags together,” said Mundy. “The whole family gets involved. By the time the tournament gets here, the whole tournament is in motion. We have an incredible group of volunteers and the member buy-in has happened since day one.”
The AJGA will return to Jones Creek Golf Club for the E-Z-GO Vaughn Taylor Championship July 16-19.