The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is proud to announce Larry Startzel as the recipient of the Digger Smith Award, honoring his extraordinary commitment to junior golf.
Presented annually since 1991, the J.R. “Digger” Smith Award is given to a supporter who is devoted to the AJGA mission and purpose of developing young men and women through competitive junior golf. The award is named in honor of AJGA Chairman of the Board J.R. “Digger” Smith, who has dedicated himself to the AJGA and to junior golf for more than three decades.
Past recipients have included Premier Partner Rolex, members of the AJGA Board of Directors including Joseph E. Quirk III, Mark Brazil and Jim Nugent, AJGA Executive Assistant Mary Ann Cowgur and many Tournament Chairs who make the AJGA's 140 plus event schedule possible annually. A full list of past recipients can be found here .
“Larry Startzel brings an exceptional combination of expertise and dedication to every AJGA event he officiates. He has overseen some of golf’s most significant moments yet remains deeply committed to the advancement of junior golf. We are honored to recognize Larry with this prestigious award.”
Startzel’s journey with the AJGA began in 1999 and, after a short time away, has devoted more than 15 years of service to the organization. Over the course of his career, he has officiated at more than 100 AJGA events, lending his expertise and passion to tournaments across the country. Startzel has served as the Senior Rules Official for many of the AJGA’s most prestigious tournaments, including the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex, Rolex Girls Junior Championship, RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic, Wyndham Cup, The Junior PLAYERS Championship presented by Rolex and the Rolex Tournament of Champions. In addition to his on-course work, Startzel conducted a long-running seminar on professionalism for AJGA staff.
While his AJGA résumé is impressive, Startzel’s contributions to the game of golf reach far beyond junior competition. A member of the PGA of America Rules Committee for 44 years, he has worked 43 consecutive PGA Championships and 12 Ryder Cups, including serving as a referee during the memorable Patrick Reed vs. Rory McIlroy match at the 2016 Ryder Cup. He has also shared his deep knowledge of the Rules of Golf by teaching and speaking at more than 75 PGA/USGA Rules of Golf Workshops.