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Sign-up for Leadership Links

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Change the world by giving back to your favorite charity with Leadership Links. 

Since 2009, junior golfers like you have raised nearly $1.5 million and donated more than 25,000 hours to 500 charities including the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, The First Tee, Wounded Warrior Project and the AJGA's ACE Grant program.

 

TOP FIVE REASONS TO JOIN LEADERSHIP LINKS IN 2016

 

5. We give you the tools to get started. You develop life skills.

Program Director Beth Dockter (bdockter@ajga.org ) will ensure you have what you need to get started: a personalized website, promotional materials and the tools necessary to collect donations. If you support a junior golf charity, the USGA provides matching funds.

The success of your Leadership Links service project depends on you. To reach your goals, you may need to practice new skills like public speaking, contacting friends, family and local businesses for support, or actively marketing your project to others. The good news? The more you work on your goals and campaign, the more likely it is you'll get people to rally around it.

 

4. Cool gifts.

Get rewarded for your progress along the way. Incentives for 2016 Leadership Links participants include:

  • Play golf with Rickie Fowler
  • Meet Jack and Barbara Nicklaus
  • 2016 Ryder Cup tickets
  • TaylorMade golf bag travel cover
  • Under Armour® gift package

 

3. Build a resume.

Be known for more than just your golf skill: add charitable work to your resume. College coaches also notice well-rounded junior golfers and we’ll promote your participation on-site at AJGA tournaments and in your player bio. Program participants also have met Rickie Fowler and Jack Nicklaus, traveled to compete as a part of international delegations with the USGA and were honored with awards.

Since 2009, the recipient of the annual Jerry Cole Sportsmanship Award  has been an active Leadership Links member. The award, given for outstanding integrity and sportsmanship, is presented at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet and includes an exemption to play in the Polo Golf Junior Classic in November. 

The USGA-AJGA Presidents' Leadership Award  honors one girl and one boy who have demonstrated service-oriented skills, character and community service through volunteer and fundraising experience. In order to qualify and apply for this award, you must be an active member of Leadership Links. 

 

2. Become service oriented.

The most important reward you'll receive as a program participant is the feeling of giving back.

In February 2016, before the Honda Classic, Rickie Fowler commented on his efforts by saying it is important to him to use his celebrity as a TOUR player to give back. Being a good golfer (or professional) includes supporting causes that are important to you as a person.

"If you want to be one of the best players in the world, you have a chance to influence the younger generation and have a chance to possibly make a difference in the game. I love it. It's an honor to be in that position. 

I always dreamed of being just on the PGA TOUR, and now to have a chance of actually being a top player in the world and to be partnered with different organizations, helping out with the AJGA to First Tee to PGA Junior League and having all these ties to junior golf, is fun for me. It's special."

 

1. Change the world.

As a teenager, people might not expect you to have this goal, but it's a powerful one.

Giving your time and talents to help a cause that means something to you gives you great return, including the overwhelming satisfaction of helping others. It also gives you power as part of an influential group: juniors who participated in Leadership Links collectively raised more than $300,000 in 2015 alone, including $40,000 at one fundraising tournament. 

 

Let's get started today.

Share your own Leadership Links projects, photos and top-five lists with #LeadershipLinks or tag us at @AJGAGolf.