AJGA 2017 Schedule
Professional support
Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Justin Thomas continue their support of the AJGA.
The ANNIKA Invitational returns to Reunion Resort’s Watson Course in February where the field annually features top AJGA players, as well as players from two other ANNIKA Foundation-run events in Sweden and China. In addition to competition, the international field also enjoys getting to know Annika, one of the most accomplished golfers in the world with 72 LPGA victories and eight Rolex Player of the Year awards.
Also on Presidents’ Day weekend is the CB&I Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods, the AJGA's
longest-running, boys-only tournament on the Fazio Championship Course at The Club at Carlton Woods, ranked No. 6 in Texas by Golf Digest. The Club at Carlton Woods boasts top competition on the course and player fun during the entire week, while incorporating patriotism and community support.
In late April, Justin Thomas will host the second annual Justin Thomas Junior Championship. This year 72 golfers will compete at Thomas’ home course Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky. Thomas is a three-time AJGA champion and two-time Rolex Junior All-American. He helped the University of Alabama win the 2013 national championship and is now No. 8 in the official World Golf Rankings.
Mickelson is a longtime supporter of the Thunderbird International Junior, a Memorial Day staple on the AJGA schedule, held at Grayhawk Golf Club’s Raptor Course in Scottsdale, Arizona. The three-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year helped begin the tournament in 2000 and the Phil & Amy Mickelson Foundation continues its support more than 15 years later.
New Venues
Osprey Point Golf Course
Host to the AJGA Preview at Osprey Point, Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton, Florida, was created in 2010 and was named one of the top 50 golf courses in Florida by Golf Digest, as well as the top public golf course in South Florida by golfers on Golf Advisor. The course’s Platinum Paspalum turf presents a lush playing surface from tee to green.
Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club – Live Oak Course
The AJGA Preview at Fair Oaks Ranch (Ages 12-15) will be played on the Live Oak Course at Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club. Live Oak is located in Boerne, Texas, and was designed by Gary Player and Ron Kirby and has a scenic practice area that includes a driving range, chipping green with practice bunkers and three putting greens.
Greenhorn Creek Resort
Greenhorn Creek Resort will serve as the host of the AJGA Junior at Greenhorn Creek from March 31 - April 2. Since opening in 1996 in Angels Camp, California, Greenhorn Creek has been recognized by NCGA Magazine, Golf Now, Golf Getaways, California Golf News and Travel and many more for unparalleled personal service, well-manicured greens and challenging holes.
La Purisima Golf Course
La Purisima Golf Course located in Lompoc, California, will host the AJGA Preview at La Purisima presented by Visit Lompoc. The course was designed by Robert Muir Graves and Kenneth Humbe Hunter, Jr. in 1986 and has no commercial development or housing surrounding the golf course land. La Purisima was rated four and a half stars by Golf Digest and Best in County by greenskeeper.org.
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
Located next to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Disney’s Palm Golf Course will host an all-girls event, the AJGA Girls Junior at Disney. The course, which was redesigned in 2013 by Arnold Palmer Course Design, was given four stars by Golf Digest. The course features nine holes with water hazards and 59 bunkers.
Harmony Landing
Harmony Landing Country Club will host the Justin Thomas Junior Championship in Goshen, Kentucky. Harmony Landing was founded in 1929 and is where Thomas grew up playing. Thomas’ father Mike is the Head Golf Professional at the course, making it the perfect venue to host his son’s second AJGA event.
Waubeeka Golf Links
Waubeeka Golf Links located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, will host the AJGA Preview at Waubeeka. The course is set in the Berkshire mountains, so golfers can enjoy views of surrounding mountains, including Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts.Easter Weekend Events
A jam-packed Easter weekend follows tradition with four AJGA Open events and one ACDS Junior All-Star event. New this year will be an all-boys field at the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Justin Rose, and an all-girls field at the AJGA Girls Junior at Disney hosted at Disney’s Palm Golf Course.
Other events over the Easter weekend include the AJGA Junior All-Star at Chateau Elan at the Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Georgia, the Bishops Gate Golf Academy Junior at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and the PING AJGA Heather Farr Classic held in Mesa, Arizona at Longbow Golf Club.
Innisbrook Resort will host four events in 2016, including the second year of a spring seniors-only event. The Senior Showcase in February fits between the early and regular NCAA signing period for class of 2017 graduates and will be open only to those graduating seniors who have not yet committed to play college golf.
The event model has proven successful since 2011 with the Winn Grips / Butch Harmon Senior Showcase Championship. It is held each December opposite the college golf coaches’ conventions in Las Vegas, and nearly 60 percent of participants have accepted a college golf playing opportunity and financial aid after competing in the event.
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