TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) conducted the inaugural Thunderbird International Junior in 2000. The concept of this event was conceived by 2010 Digger Smith Award winners Mike Kennedy and Del Cochran. Their vision was to provide a world-class competition with unparalleled hospitality, thus creating the ultimate “players” event. To enhance the international experience, players who take advantage of the complimentary accommodations are assigned a roommate from another part of the world. At Grayhawk Golf Club, players have their own hospitality area and game room where they can relax and have fun after the round. All of the social events at night are one-of-a-kind and provide a unique way for players to bond and make new friendships. Players who are invited are highly encouraged to participate in every aspect of this event as they will come away with many lifelong memories.
CHARITABLE GIVING
Since 2004, participants in the Thunderbird International Junior have given over $512,000 back to local charities of their choice. The heart of The Thunderbirds and the American Junior Golf Association is built solidly around both the concept of giving back to others and bettering their respective communities. In order to further their purpose and teach the importance of giving back to the next generation, The Thunderbirds have agreed to donate $1,000 in the name of every player who designates a local charity. Players will be asked to designate a local charity at Tournament Registration on Thursday, April 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or they may e-mail Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at nnottrott@ajga.org . Players are encouraged to contemplate and decide on a charity prior to their arrival at Grayhawk Golf Club. Please keep in mind the requirements outlined below and come with the following information prepared. If you are having a difficult time identifying a charity to donate to please contact any AJGA or Grayhawk Golf Club staff member for additional information.
Requirements
The benefitting charity must be based in the United States and must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. If you are unsure if the organization you are wishing to donate to meets these requirements please contact Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at nnottrott@ajga.org
or (618) 402-7399.
Required Information
Please come prepared with the information outlined below to ensure your donation is made in a timely manner and is received by the correct organization.
o Thunderbird International Junior Participant Name
o Benefitting Charity Name
o Contact Person at Charity
o Website
o Address
o Phone Number
PLAYER ACCOMMODATIONS
Player Accommodations: All tournament participants are offered complimentary accommodations at the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains. Complimentary accommodations will be offered from a check-in date of Thursday, April 9 through a check-out date of Sunday, April 12. Any arrivals prior to Thursday, April 9 or departures later than Sunday, April 12 will be at the tournament participants expense. For participants who wish to stay with their parents or guardians, accommodations will be at the participants expense. It is imperative to notify Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at (618) 402-7399 or nnottrott@ajga.org of your lodging preferences and complete your Players Information Form which can be found here.
AJGA Host Hotel: Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains
Hotel Address: 16770 North Perimeter Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
Player Welfare Committee: The Player Welfare Committee is comprised of AJGA Staff and parents to ensure the safety and health of all tournament participants. We have had tremendous support from our parents in years past. As a member of this Committee we visit each player’s room each evening to ensure everyone is healthy and safe. For parents interested, or for more details, please contact Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at (618) 402-7399 or at nnottrott@ajga.org .
PARENT & GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS
AJGA Host Hotel: Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains
Hotel Address: 16770 North Perimeter Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
AJGA Special Rate: $189 (Regular Room Rate $299)
Rate Includes: Plan a memorable visit to Arizona when you stay at Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains. Our hotel delivers stylish comfort and exceptional customer service in an ideal location near the area's most popular attractions. Enjoy easy access to TPC Scottsdale, a premier golf club, as well as WestWorld events center, the Kierland Commons outdoor shopping plaza and more. Feel right at home in our spacious, pet-friendly suites offering luxury bedding, flat-screen TVs, mini-refrigerators, ergonomic workstations, elegant marble bathrooms and separate spaces to slumber and entertain. Never miss your workout routine thanks to our fitness center and outdoor pool. Take advantage of dining at AGAVE Southwest Bar & Grill, serving Southwestern cuisine in a casual sports bar environment. If you'll be hosting a business or social event during your trip, reserve one of our indoor or outdoor meeting spaces with custom catering options. Treat yourself to a relaxing getaway at Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains.
Reservation Method: Reservations can be made by calling (480) 502-3836.
Booking link: Click Here to Book
Cutoff Date: Friday, March 6
Check in Time: 4 p.m.
Check out Time: 12 p.m.
PLAYER TRAVEL & BIO INFORMATION
Player Travel Information: Upon acceptance into the tournament please take a few moments to complete the Player Travel Information. This is located in your invitation e-mail and will be available once you log-in to the Player Center with your member number and password. It is MANDATORY that you complete this document to ensure lodging accommodations, shuttle arrangements and proper sizing. If you have any questions or issues, please e-mail Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at nnottrott@ajga.org .
TRANSPORTATION
Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Uber: Transportation for the 2020 Thunderbird International Junior will be provided through Uber. Participants will be provided complimentary transportation upon their arrival from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Grayhawk Golf Club or Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains. Prior to their departure participants will be provided complimentary transportation to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The week prior to the event (between April 1 – 3) all participants will be e-mailed a code and link that will grant them access to two $50 credits. The code may be used on two separate occasions and is intended to be used for your arrival and your departure. The code will not work unless the origin or destination of your trip is within a one-and-a-half-mile proximity of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
It is advised that all tournament participants download the Uber app on their mobile device and establish an Uber account prior to traveling to the Thunderbird International Junior.
Cost: Each one-way credit will have a $50 of value each way. If the total trip cost exceeds $50 for the one way trip, the card on file will be charged and the participant will be responsible for the additional cost. Average UberX costs from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Grayhawk Golf Club / Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains range from $25 to $35.
Distance to Host Hotel: 30 minutes (23 miles)
Distance to Golf Course: 30 minutes (25 miles)
AJGA Preferred Rentals: Avis and Budget, the preferred rental car brands of the American Junior Golf Association, provide AJGA members and their families with savings on vehicles for all AJGA event-related and personal travel. To see rates for all events, visit these links:
· Avis
· Budget
TRAVEL STIPEND
Players may find the travel stipend on the bottom of the main page of the tournament website. Additionally, you may e-mail Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott at nnottrott@ajga.org requesting the document. Any players who submit their travel stipend prior to Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. Eastern, will have their stipend check available to them at Tournament Registration. Based on your travel, players are eligible for the following amounts of reimbursement.
West of the Mississippi: $250
East of the Mississippi & Hawaii: $500
International: $750
PRACTICE ROUND
Date: Thursday, April 9
Time: 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees
Golf Course: Grayhawk Golf Club – Raptor Course
Signup: AJGA Player Center
Cutoff: Wednesday, April 8
An AJGA Staff member will be located on the starting tees with hole locations and a sand bottle. All players are required to carry their own bag or use a push cart.
Additional Practice Rounds Information
Additional practice rounds are available on Monday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 7 after 1 p.m. based on golf course availability. The cost for additional practice rounds will be $85 + taxes per player and must be arranged through Tracy Hail at (480) 502-2075. Players are welcome to arrange additional practice rounds outside the timeframe outlined above but will be subject to regular greens fees as published by Grayhawk Golf Club. Due to an outside function there will be no availability for additional practice rounds on Wednesday, April 8th. Please see the below section for details regarding practice facility usage on Wednesday, April 8th.
Additional practice rounds are at the individual’s expense and are provided at a reduced rate by the AJGA and the host facility. Players and guests must comply with all rules & expectations at the host facility including, but not limited to, a restriction of the number of shots to be played, disrespectful behavior towards host club staff and/or members, overall time limits and limitations of non-paying guests. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the forfeiture of your additional practice round.
PRACTICE FACILITIES
Dates: Wednesday, April 8 – Sunday, April 12
Times: Wednesday, April 8: 1 – 4:30 p.m. (Range), 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Putting Green)
Thursday, April 9: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11: 6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12: 6 – 9:30 a.m. (Practice facilities will open in case of a playoff)
Balls: Complimentary on behalf of TaylorMade & Grayhawk Golf Club
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION
Function: Tournament Registration
Date: Thursday, April 9
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club
Room: Clubhouse – Main Foyer
Players unable to register at this time MUST notify Tournament Director Nathan Nottrott prior to April 9 at (618) 402-7399 or nnottrott@ajga.org . Tournament Registration is mandatory. Players who fail to attend Tournament Registration without prior approval from the tournament director may forfeit their tournament gifts. Approval to miss Tournament Registration will be granted only in extreme circumstances. An individual who fails to register because they are not staying at the host hotel, are staying in private housing for the week, or have a long commute do not constitute acceptable circumstances.
TOURNAMENT TEE TIMES/PAIRINGS
Tee Times: First Round: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees (Raptor Course)
Second Round: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees (Raptor Course)
Final Round: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 tees (Raptor Course)
Official Pairings Available: First Round – Tuesday, April 7 (7:30 a.m.)
Second Round – Friday, April 10 (5 p.m.)
Final Round – Saturday, April 11 (5 p.m.)
Location: www.ajga.org or Grayhawk Golf Club
Note: Players assume the entire risk if they call any other number or individual and receive an incorrect starting time.
A tie for the championship will be decided by a sudden-death playoff immediately following the conclusion of play. As inclement weather may delay play, please make your departing flight as late as possible.
TOURNAMENT MEALS & SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Dress Code: Dress for all functions at Grayhawk Golf Club is country club casual. No jackets or ties are required for any function. T-shirts may NOT be worn at any time while at Grayhawk Golf Club.
Thursday, April 9
Function: Player Lunch
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Tom’s Thumb
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Lunch is complimentary for players only.
Function: Welcome Dinner
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: The Welcome Dinner is complimentary for both players and guests.
Friday, April 10
Function: Player Breakfast
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 6 – 9 a.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Breakfast is complimentary for players only.
Function: Player Lunch
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Lunch is complimentary for players only.
Function: Glo-Birds Putting Competition
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House Lawn
Time: 7 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: All Tournament Participants are encouraged to attend the Social Activity.
Function: Family Barbeque
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: The Family Barbeque is complimentary for both players and guests.
Saturday, April 11
Function: Player Breakfast
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 6 – 9 a.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Breakfast is complimentary for players only.
Function: Player Lunch
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Lunch is complimentary for players only.
Function: Players Party
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: The Players Party is complimentary for players only.
Function: Dry Heave
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – No. 10 tee
Time: 7 p.m.
Attendance: All Tournament Participants are encouraged to attend the Dry Heave.
Sunday, April 12
Function: Player Breakfast
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 6 – 9 a.m.
Attendance & Cost: Player Breakfast is complimentary for players only.
Function: Awards Luncheon
Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Fairway House
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Attendance & Cost: The Awards Luncheon is complimentary for all participants and guests.
Additional Dining Options for Parents & Media at Grayhawk Golf Club:
The Morning Joint (MOJO)
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.
About Mojo: Located in the clubhouse at Grayhawk Golf Club, The Morning Joint (Mojo) offers comfortable indoor and outdoor space to fuel up with a coffee drink and breakfast or relax and socialize with family and friends. Mojo’s menu features a variety of coffees both hot and iced, espresso drinks with a host of flavors, drip coffee, teas (black and herbal), frappes, hot chocolate and soft drinks. The health-conscious crowd will be tempted to “get fresh” with Moju – Mojo’s produce-packing cousin that serves up a variety of juices, smoothies and much more, all prepared from fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy things.
Tom’s Thumb
Hours of Operation: 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
About Tom’s Thumb: Tom’s Thumb is a “snack bar” to grab a bite to eat at the turn or before play. Tom’s Thumb is located in the main clubhouse near the cart staging area on the way to No. 10 from the 9th hole. Tom’s Thumb offers burgers, sandwiches, wraps, brats and a variety of snacks and drinks.
Phil’s Grill
Hours of Operation: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
About Phil’s Grill: Named after Phil Mickelson, Phil’s Grill is a comfortable eating and drinking establishment with a warm sports pub ambiance. An exclusive collection of Mickelson’s memorabilia adorns the place: gear he used during his many Ryder Cup appearances; an old persimmon driver he swung as a Sun Devil; signed Masters pin flags; and a Talon course record scorecard, 61, with a bunch of circles. Plus, as a true sports pub, several large televisions are eternally tuned in to the day’s events.
Quail Creek
Hours of Operation: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
About Quail Creek: Quill Creek Café offers an eclectic selection of American favorites with a Southwestern flare. The dining room opens to an expansive outdoor patio featuring stunning views of the 18th hole of Raptor and Scottsdale’s iconic McDowell Mountains. Plus, the large outdoor fireplace warms the cool, crisp desert air.
AJGA CARES FOR THE COURSE : As part of the AJGA’s Code of Conduct policy players are required to fill their divots and ball marks on the golf course. Players will receive a small, lightweight sand bottle at the beginning of each event and should fill the bottles at the sand filling stations on each tee as necessary. The penalty for not following this policy is as follows:
· 1st & 2nd offense – Player receives a verbal warning
· 3rd & subsequent offenses – Player receives a one-stroke penalty
BIG MAX PUSH CART BORROW PROGRAM
As the Official Push Cart of the AJGA, BIG MAX has provided all players the opportunity to borrow a push cart at one tournament per year. Players who borrow during an AJGA event will be eligible to win a free BIG MAX push cart in December. Two BIG MAX push carts can be used on a first-come, first-serve basis at every event. If you are interested, see the Tournament Director on-site to reserve one and sign an agreement form.
CONTACT INFORMATION
HQ Location: Grayhawk Golf Club – Championship Room
Tournament Director: Nathan Nottrott
Phone Number: (618) 402-7399
Email: nnottrott@ajga.org
AJGA INFORMATION
JUNIOR PLUS MEMBER SWING VIDEOS : All Junior Plus Members will have the opportunity to have their swings taped on the driving range for the College Coaches website at any time during the event. Players must see the Tournament Director to schedule a time to film their swing video. If you are unsure of your membership status, a list is available in tournament headquarters.
RANGEFINDERS: The AJGA allows the usage of distance-measuring devices in all AJGA competitions. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or MEASURE OTHER CONDITIONS that might affect his/her play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3(1).
SPECTATOR GOLF CARTS: Golf carts and spectator carts are not allowed without a Government issued Blue Permanent Handicap placard. Please see the Tournament Director on-site to receive an approved cart.
PUSH CARTS: Push carts (non-motorized) are approved for use by all players as permitted by the host facility. Players are responsible for providing their own push carts.