The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Junior Championship has been named the recipient of the 2016 Most Improved Tournament of the Year Award by the American Junior Golf Association.
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 2016 season will be presented on-site at 2017 tournaments.
“The award speaks for itself: if you commit and have determination, and believe in patience as a great virtue in golf, then it will pay off,” said Jose Fernandez, CEO of Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy. “I have an excellent team that has grown from year to year. To be recognized by the American Junior Golf Association is an unbelievable honor.”
The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy worked to provide complimentary meals from local restaurants each day for players, parents, staff and coaches. The Academy also opened its doors for players to use workout facilities. The Academy’s nutrition expert was also on-site and gave advice on workouts, stretching and meals for competition.
In addition to the Academy’s increased activation, the volunteer turnout increased by three times this year. More than 50 volunteers assisted during the tournament, with more arriving each day who had watched the event.
“This year’s support was overwhelming,” Fernandez said. “This year we had people offering to help. It was amazing to see people embracing the event and helping us in any way possible.”
In its third year, the event took a leap forward in providing players, parents and staff with a better overall experience. The Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy Junior Championship will look to exceed expectations again as a part of the 2017 schedule, August 7-10.