The Callaway Golf Junior Championship has been named the 2016 recipient of the Social Media 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.
Callaway Golf engaged with the tournament on Instagram and Twitter during the event, hosted at Vista Valley Country Club in Vista, California, and congratulated the winners after the conclusion. Due to multiple mentions from Callaway Golf on Twitter, the potential reach of the event on Twitter was nearly 1 million.
Callaway Golf also committed resources to cover the first-year event on social media. Media Correspondent Amanda Balionis’ on-site perspective was captured on Instagram and reached her more than 24,000 followers. Harry Arnett, senior vice president of marketing and brand management at Callaway Golf, interacted with the tournament on Twitter, while Callaway President and CEO Chip Brewer attended the Carnival and filmed an interview with the AJGA.
“We’re incredibly proud that Callaway Golf has won the AJGA Social Media Award for 2016,” said Callaway Social Media Manager Chad Coleman. “Our commitment to social and constant engagement – along with our strong partnership with the AJGA – allowed us to cover the Callaway Golf Junior Championship in a new, fun and entertaining way. We look forward to continuing to find ways to innovate in the social space and share the story of the American Junior Golf Association.”
Snapchat was also a key part of the event’s success in social media, particularly around the “Callaway Golf Carnival.” The Carnival showcased World Long Drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski and Snapchat showcased his demonstrations. Additionally, an ice cream truck, straightest drive competition and putter fitting were illustrated through the AJGA’s social media channels. AJGA communications interns were invited to attend a taping of Callaway Live after the tournament.
The social media analytics were unparalleled for an AJGA Open event, and showed a commitment from Callaway Golf to achieve a strong social media footprint.
“Callaway Golf committed a lot of resources to ensure the tournament’s presence on social media was significant,” said Kelsie Berke, Media Official for the Callaway Golf Junior Championship. “The event was special in a lot of ways, and the social media engagement we received reflected their activation.”
The Callaway Golf Junior Championship is set to return to Vista Valley Country Club, July 30 – Aug. 1.