By Shannon Dudzinski, AJGA Communications
Cole Hammer of Houston, Texas, and Hailee Cooper of Montgomery, Texas, will join the American Junior Golf Association Board of Directors upon being selected Player Representatives for the 2017 season.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the AJGA is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets quarterly to discuss relevant topics concerning the state of the Association. Player Representatives are the voice of the AJGA membership, which includes more than 6,300 members from 48 states and more than 50 foreign countries.
An AJGA member since 2013, Hammer has proven to be a force on the golf course. Rising twenty spots, from No.27 to No. 7, in the Polo Golf Rankings just in the 2016 season. The Kinkaid School junior captured his first win at the 2015 Junior All-Star at Watters Creek and over the last three seasons has made eight appearances at AJGA Invitationals including three this year. Hammer, a 2018 grad, is verbally committed to the University of Texas, was named a First Team Rolex Junior All-American in 2016 and was a member on the victorious Wyndham Cup West Team in 2016. At the age of 15, he became the third-youngest player to compete in the U.S. Open. He shot 64-68 in Sectional Qualifying and missed the cut after rounds of 77-84 at Chambers Bay.
"I am really excited to be the player representative for the upcoming season. It will be a great opportunity for me to represent the players and to get to know the organization better as well.”
Out of her three appearances in the 2016 season, Cooper placed second at the Bishops Gate Golf Academy Junior at Horseshoe Bay and was victorious at the AJGA Kansas Junior at Buffalo Dunes. Over the past four years, she has recorded at least one win each year and competed in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship three times and represented the West at Wyndham Cup twice. Cooper, a 2018 grad, has a total of 15 top-10 finishes in her AJGA career and was named a Rolex Junior All-American in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
"It’s an amazing feeling to be able to represent the best junior golf organization there is. I am so grateful for the AJGA helping me become the golfer I am and I am hoping that I can give back to the organization."
Hammer and Cooper follow in the footsteps of Matthew Wolff of Agoura Hills, California, and Kaitlyn Papp of Austin, Texas, who served as Player Representatives for the 2016 season.
Past Player Representatives
2016
Matthew Wolff
Kaitlyn Papp
2015
Brad Dalke
Andrea Lee
2014
Jorge Garcia
Samantha Wagner
2013
Michael Pisciotta
Nicole Morales
2012
Gavin Hall
Casey Danielson
2011
Trey Kaahanui
Mariah Stackhouse
2010
Anthony Paolucci
Grace Na
2009
Talor Gooch
Austin Ernst
2008
Brinson Paolini
Jane Rah
2007
Gregor Main
Lila Barton
2006
Arnond Vongvanij
Kimberly Donovan
2005
Jordan Cox
Morgan Pressel
2004
Jon Curran
Amanda Blumenherst
2003
Webb Simpson
Jennifer Pandolfi
2002
Roberto Castro
Anna Grzebien
2001
Will Armstrong
Courtney Jones
2000
Mike Barbosa
Ina Kim
1999
Ryan HyblLeigh
Anne Hardin
1998
J.C. DeLeon
Kim Rowton
1997
Jason Allred
Angela Jerman
1996
Boyd Summerhays
Beth Bauer
1995
Edward Loar
Lauren Jeske
1994
Michael Henderson
Jody Niemann
1993
Thomas Parker
Kellee Booth
1992
Derek Jackson
Heather Bowie
1991
Hunter Johnson
Lisa Cornwell
1990
John (JJ) West
Vicki Goetze
1989
Justin Leonard
Vicki Goetze
1988
Phil Mickelson
Terri Thompson
1987
Sam Wilkins
Terri Thompson
1986
Jeff Barlow
Kristin Parker
1985
Chuck Siessman
Cissye Meeks
1984
Brian Watts
Nancy Macagnone
1983
Rich Marik
Kris Tschetter
1982
Billy Andrade
Heather Farr
1981
Tommy Moore
Heather Farr
1980
Tommy Moore
Heather Farr