BRASELTON, Ga. – Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, one of the most accomplished junior golfers in the history of the American Junior Golf Association and the LPGA Player President since 2012, will join the AJGA’s Board of Directors after being elected at the annual Membership Meeting, Nov. 19, at the Polo Golf Junior Classic.
“We are pleased to welcome Vicki Goetze-Ackerman to our Board of Directors,” said Executive Director Stephen Hamblin. “With 15 wins, Vicki was one of the most successful junior golfers in the AJGA’s history. We look forward to what her experience on the LPGA Tour Executive Committee will bring to our Board of Directors.”
Led by AJGA Chairman of the Board J.R. “Digger” Smith, the AJGA's Association and Foundation Board of Directors is composed of golf industry professionals, including representatives with PGA TOUR, LPGA and USGA experience, and business leaders.
Even today, Goetze-Ackerman holds many AJGA records that stand the test of time. Goetze-Ackerman was named Rolex Junior Player of the Year three times from 1988 to 1990, joining Phil Mickelson as the only two golfers to win the award three times in the AJGA’s 39-year history. The 15-time AJGA champion won the Polo Golf Junior Classic twice and was named a Rolex Junior All-American six times, tied for the most by any junior golfer in history.
“I was extremely honored to have been asked to serve on the AJGA Board of Directors,” said Goetze-Ackerman. “It is great to have an opportunity to give back to junior golf and a game that has been so good to me.”
Following her junior career, Goetze-Ackerman competed on the University of Georgia women’s golf team and went on to represent the United States in two Curtis Cup appearances. She captured two U.S. Women’s Amateur titles and earned individual medalist honors at the NCAA Championship in 1992.
Goetze-Ackerman competed for 16 years as an active member of the LPGA Tour. She served on the LPGA Tour Executive Committee and Board of Directors from 2005 to 2007 and was president of the Association in 2007. In 2006, she was honored with the William and Mousie Powell Award, as the player whose behavior and deeds best exemplifies the spirit, ideals and values of the LPGA.
About the AJGA
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 6,600 members from 50 states and 55 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, 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. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 600 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Stacy Lewis, Ariya Jutanugarn, Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, Alison Lee, Lexi Thompson, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.