The Pinehurst, North Carolina, native is set to host the 8th edition of the Carolina Cup October 13 – 14, 2018.
BRASELTON, Ga. – American Junior Golf Association member Jackson Van Paris and Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina, have partnered to continue the Carolina Cup, benefiting the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
The Carolina Cup, part of the AJGA’s State Cup Series, was the founding event of the series. In 2010, 12 juniors teamed up and raised $12,000 for charity. Patrick Cover and Thomas Walsh, both North Carolina natives, founded the initial event. Though its leadership, title (originally the Dormie Cup) and venue have changed, this event provides a blueprint for future Leadership Links and ACE Grant fundraising opportunities.
The Ryder Cup-style tournament held at Pinehurst Resort on Pinehurt #2, #9 and the Cradle Course, will feature 28 participants from around the state of North Carolina. Participants will be divided into two teams in a head-to-head competition with each junior responsible for raising at least $1,000. The State Cup Series, a series of junior-led fundraising tournaments, is a branch of the AJGA’s Leadership Links program, which helps develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the ACE Grant.
The event has raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project, Curesearch for Children’s Cancer, The First Tee of Sandhills and Tri Counties and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. The event also raises money for the AJGA’s Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, which provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. Since 2010, the event has raised $348,718.
"Pinehurst is excited to host the Carolina Cup, and we look forward to watching some of the best junior golfers in the Carolinas compete at such a high level," says Pinehurst Resort’s President, Tom Pashley. "Pinehurst has been a home for the best in amateur golf for over a century. We’re proud to work with an event that benefits so many worthy causes and emphasizes character growth for the participants."
Van Paris, a Rolex Junior All-American, has participated in Leadership Links since 2015. In his past four years of participating in the program he has raised more than $14,500. Van Paris is No. 33 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings and won the 2017 AJGA Junior All-Star Invitational at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
"I am very excited to host the Carolina Cup again this year at Pinehurst, said Van Paris. “I can't wait to play in this event alongside 27 of the best junior golfers in North Carolina. This is an event that shows a different side to a sport we all love, and allows us to gain a better perspective through helping others."
The event will take place October 13-14, 2018. To support Van Paris’s efforts, visit ajga.org/ll. For more information, please contact Liz Powell (lpowell@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1792, or visit ajga.org.
About the American Junior Golf Association
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018, the American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 6,900 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, and the Internship Program, which provides career development for future golf professionals, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade-adidas Golf became the AJGA’s National Sponsor in 2016 after more than 25 years of support and is the Official Ball of the AJGA. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2017, adidas joined the AJGA as a Premier Partner, serving as the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 900 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Ariya Jutanugarn, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lincicome, Anna Nordqvist, Inbee Park and Lexi Thompson.