AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open honored as 2020 Open Tournament of the Year

The AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open, hosted by Sylvania Country Club in Sylvania, Ohio, was named the AJGA’s Open Tournament of the Year for the 2020 season.

The event won the Newcomer of the Year Award for the 2019 season and now has earned its second honor in the tournament’s second year on the AJGA schedule. The Open Tournament of the Year is awarded based on the overall tournament experience from hospitality, volunteers, sponsor involvement to impact on the community and more.

“This award really showcases how everyone involved with the tournament gets behind it and does whatever is necessary to make it successful,” said AJGA Midwest Regional Director Ryan Flanagan. “From Dana Incorporated as the title sponsor to the local committee and Sylvania Country Club, each person involved goes the extra mile to make sure that the juniors have the best experience possible each year. It has been incredible to see the impact this event has on the local community and the junior golfers who play in the event.”

Despite the difficult conditions faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hard work of the tournament committee, sponsors and golf course led to nearly $95,000 in net proceeds to the Special Olympics and the AJGA’s ACE Grant program. This was an increase of $18,000 from the event in 2019. Dana Incorporated, the tournament’s title partner, was instrumental in the tournament’s success. The company chairman and CEO was on site during the event and Dana also brought two sport-utility vehicles outfitted with the company’s driveline product for display.

“After earning Newcomer of the Year honors in 2019, we never expected this event to be named Tournament of the Year the very next year – especially given all the challenges of 2020,” said Rod Filcek, tournament chairman. “This honor is a testament to the people of Dana, the AJGA staff, the volunteers, and the members of Sylvania Country Club, all of whom continue to work so well together to organize a first-class event for some of the country’s top junior golfers.”

The event also excelled due to the support of the host venue, Sylvania Country Club. The club has embraced having a national junior golf event since the tournament began in 2019 and helps make the experience for players, guests and staff memorable. Sylvania Country Club displayed the Solheim Cup trophy during the week and will also host the 2021 PING Junior Solheim Cup .

“Hosting the AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Championship has added to our long history of hosting these tournaments as it fulfills our mission as a club,” said Sylvania Country Club General Manager Roger Parker. “Because of this new association we are eagerly anticipating hosting an international event with the PING Junior Solheim Cup later this year and our partnership with AJGA is certain to make it a resounding success!”

The 2021 AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open will be held at Sylvania Country Club July 19-22, 2021.

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 AJGA Preview Series tournament, best AJGA Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and Open tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2020 season will be presented on-site at the 2021 tournament.

About Dana Incorporated

Dana is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions for all mobility markets across the globe. The company's conventional and clean-energy solutions support nearly every vehicle manufacturer with drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies, including software and controls; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $7.1 billion in 2020 with 38,000 associates in 33 countries across six continents. Founded in 1904, Dana was named one of "America's Most Responsible Companies 2021" by Newsweek for its emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. The company is driven by a high-performance culture that focuses on its people, which has earned it global recognition as a top employer, including "World's Best Employer" from Forbes magazine.