Stephen Babcock of Harmony Landing Country Club was named the recipient of the American Junior Golf Association’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year award.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the AJGA as Superintendent of the year,” Babcock said. “With the AJGA visiting so many courses and working with a lot of great superintendents every year it really is an honor to be recognized by such a great organization. This award wouldn’t be possible without the entire Grounds Staff at Harmony because they a great group of people and I am very fortunate to have such an amazing staff.”
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 golf course executive, as well as the most game changing event, best new event, best Preview Series tournament, best AJGA Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2020 season will be presented on-site at 2021 tournaments.
Harmony Landing Country Club has hosted the AJGA for four-consecutive years with PGA TOUR professional, Justin Thomas. The 2020 Justin Thomas Junior Champions was conducted August 4-7 and added to a list of incredible years at the venue.
“I have truly enjoyed the people I have worked with over the years, that’s what truly makes Harmony Landing such a special place,” Babcock said. “The membership is fantastic to work with and supportive of everything we are trying to accomplish. Working with Mike Thomas has been awesome all these years at Harmony as the Head Golf Pro, and now on the Justin Thomas Junior Championship Committee. It’s been awesome to watch this tournament grow into such a great event not only for the players but for the community with money raised for charity.”
Babcock has been involved with the event since it came to Harmony Landing in 2017 and has served on the tournament committee over that time span. His input on everything surrounding the tournament and particularly the golf course has been invaluable throughout the years as the tournament has faced many different weather conditions, but has still provided an incredibly venue for competition.
“Stephen is such a huge asset to this event,” AJGA Midwest Regional Director, Ryan Flanagan said. “Each year we rely on him to help guide us through setup and execution from the golf course end. He is always willing to help and do whatever it takes to make the event successful.”
In addition to serving on the committee, Stephen and his team helps the AJGA staff install special promotional signage that gives parents and players a PGA TOUR level experience. He has also been instrumental in the events transition from a spring competition to taking place in August. No matter the time of year, the course has always been in impeccable condition and a driving factor in making the Justin Thomas Junior Championship a staple on the AJGA schedule.
Babcock will receive the award at the 2021 Justin Thomas Junior Championship which will be conducted August 10-13. For more information, contact Tim Jackman (tjackman@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department.