Digger Smith Award
Presented annually since 1991, the J.R. “Digger” Smith Award is given to a supporter who is devoted to the AJGA mission and purpose of developing young men and women through competitive junior golf. The award is named in honor of AJGA Chairman of the Board J.R. “Digger” Smith, who has dedicated himself to the AJGA and to junior golf for more than three decades.
PAST RECIPIENTS
ANNIKA SORENSTAM
2023
AJGA Tournament Host
Champion of Women's Golf
Past AJGA Board Member
AJGA Tournament Host
Champion of Women's Golf
Past AJGA Board Member
MARY ANN COWGUR
2022
AJGA Executive Assistant
AJGA Executive Assistant
JEFF & BARBARA CONLEY
2021
Tournament Chairmen
Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior
Tournament Chairmen
Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior
BOB EDWARDS & BOB LEWIS
2020
Tournament Chairmen
Insperity Invitational / Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship
Tournament Chairmen
Insperity Invitational / Patrick Reed AJGA Junior Championship
MARK BRAZIL
2019
AJGA Board of Directors
Wyndham Invitational Chair
AJGA Board of Directors
Wyndham Invitational Chair
CHUCK STRONG
2018
Tournament Chair at The Country Club of the South
Tournament Chair at The Country Club of the South
JAMES E. NUGENT III
2017
Founder / Publisher Global Golf Post / AJGA Board President
Founder / Publisher Global Golf Post / AJGA Board President
ROLEX
2016
AJGA Sponsor
AJGA Sponsor
JIM AHERN
2015
Director of Player Development Administration, Acushnet Company
Director of Player Development Administration, Acushnet Company
JOSEPH E. QUIRK III
2014
AJGA Board of Directors
AJGA Board of Directors
BRETT SNORTLAND & CHRIS DERNICK
2013
AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods
AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods
DR. HOWARD FOOTE
2012
Tournament Chairman of Michigan event
Tournament Chairman of Michigan event
TERRY FINGER
2011
Tournament Chairman of Hilton Head event
Tournament Chairman of Hilton Head event
2010
Thunderbird International Junior
Thunderbird International Junior
2009
AJGA Board of Directors
AJGA Board of Directors
JOHN A. SOLHEIM
2008
Chairman & CEO of Karsten Manufacturing (PING)
Chairman & CEO of Karsten Manufacturing (PING)
2007
Midwest Junior Players Championship
Midwest Junior Players Championship
2006
President of AJGA Board of Directors
President of AJGA Board of Directors
DR. JO STEGALL
2005
Burgett H. Mooney Rome Classic
Burgett H. Mooney Rome Classic
2004
Edgewood Tahoe Junior Classic
Edgewood Tahoe Junior Classic
2003
McDonalds Betsy Rawls Girls Championship
McDonalds Betsy Rawls Girls Championship
2003
Texas San Antonio Shootout
Texas San Antonio Shootout
MICHAEL C. THOMPSON
2002
RTJ Golf Trail Junior Classic / President of the AJGA Board of Directors
RTJ Golf Trail Junior Classic / President of the AJGA Board of Directors
BILL HAWS
2001
Compaq Junior Classic at English Turn
Compaq Junior Classic at English Turn
JERRY CLAPP
2000
Greater Greensboro Chrysler Junior
Greater Greensboro Chrysler Junior
STEVE STORM
1999
Nabisco Mission Hills Junior
Nabisco Mission Hills Junior
BOB CARTER
1998
Hargray Junior Classic at Indigo Run
Hargray Junior Classic at Indigo Run
BARBARA LANDER
1998
AJGA Tucker Anthony Junior / AJGA Board of Directors
AJGA Tucker Anthony Junior / AJGA Board of Directors
TOM COOKSEY
1997
AJGA Bluegrass Junior Invitational
AJGA Bluegrass Junior Invitational
DON MINER
1996
Lake Tahoe Junior Classic
Lake Tahoe Junior Classic
STEPHEN A. HAMBLIN
1996
Executive Director, AJGA
Executive Director, AJGA
COACH GEORGE HANNON
1996
University of Texas
University of Texas
DON SNORTLAND
1995
TaylorMade Woodlands Junior Classic
TaylorMade Woodlands Junior Classic
WALLY UIHLEIN
1995
Chairman & CEO, Acushnet Company
Chairman & CEO, Acushnet Company
WAYNE MOORE
1994
Todd Moore Memorial Junior
Todd Moore Memorial Junior
LESLIE AKERS
1993
AJGA French Lick Junior
AJGA French Lick Junior
STEVE BRAUN
1992
Great Lakes Buick Junior
Great Lakes Buick Junior
JERRY COLE
1992
AJGA Board of Directors
AJGA Board of Directors
JOHN DE GARMO
1991
Darien, Conn
Darien, Conn
TOM RUPERT
1991
AJGA Bluegrass Junior Invitational
AJGA Bluegrass Junior Invitational