The Circle K Junior Championship has been honored with the American Junior Golf Association’s 2024 Tournament Fundraising and Charitable Giving Awards. These awards highlight the tournament’s incredible impact on junior golf and the local community.
The AJGA Tournament Fundraising Award and Charitable Giving Award are among the AJGA’s highest honors, recognizing tournaments that demonstrate exceptional commitment to philanthropy and community engagement. The Tournament Fundraising Award is presented to the event that raises the most funds in support of the AJGA and its associated initiatives, reflecting outstanding efforts in sponsorship, donations and community partnerships. The Charitable Giving Award honors a tournament that not only raises significant funds but also directs those proceeds toward impactful causes, showcasing a commitment to giving back and creating lasting change.
“I am grateful and appreciative of all the support Circle K receives year after year—from the committee, volunteers, AJGA staff and Circle K team—but most importantly, from our national vendor partners who truly make this event best in class. We’ve created a special event for the players, the families and our partners and we challenge ourselves to make positive changes to the event each year.”
“This award is the culmination and recognition of years of dedication and hard work by the tournament committee. I am very proud of the continued growth of our event and the charitable funds we are able to provide year after year. When you can provide this level of investment in the youth of a community, you may not see the reward immediately, but it can change the trajectory of a young person's life. I know through personal experience, having two sons impacted by junior golf, that by giving back through a strong relationship with the AJGA, I am fulfilling my mission. Each year, my biggest joy is meeting the families of these young golfers and seeing the sportsmanship, reverence for the game, and kindness they show our volunteers.”
In 2024, the tournament generated more than $250,000 in net charitable proceeds, benefiting both the AJGA’s Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant and the Foundation for Youth (FFY). The Liberty National ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. FFY’s mission is to provide young individuals in Columbus, Indiana, with the resources and opportunities to grow, learn and thrive. This incredible milestone not only reflects the tournament’s dedication to growing the game of golf but also its broader mission to invest in young people’s futures.
“The Circle K Junior Championship continues to set the standard for tournament fundraising and charitable giving. We can’t thank Kevin Merritt and the entire Circle K team enough for their dedication to this event. Their efforts have made a meaningful impact on both the Foundation for Youth and the AJGA’s Liberty National ACE Grant. Receiving both the Tournament Fundraising and Charitable Giving Awards is a well-deserved recognition of their outstanding commitment to the tournament.”
With long-time sponsors increasing their support and 12 new vendor partners joining last year alone, the Circle K Junior Championship continues to raise the bar. The tournament has become a standout example of how corporate partnership, community engagement, and youth development can intersect in powerful ways. A key part of the event’s fundraising success is the Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, which last year featured both morning and afternoon shotgun rounds. This format gives sponsors the opportunity to play alongside AJGA juniors, fostering stronger connections and reinforcing the tournament’s mission of DEVELOPING GOLF’S NEXT GENERATION®.
“We are investing in the future of our community—providing opportunities for youth to develop new skills and enhance both academic and personal growth,” Merritt said. “The funds also provide FFY with resources to improve facilities, enhance the campgrounds and launch new programs, including introducing the game of golf through the Payne Stewart Foundation.”
Merritt also emphasized the broader benefits of the tournament for Circle K and its partners.
“It’s a great team-building event for Circle K and a valuable networking opportunity for us and our national vendor partners,” he said. “It’s also incredibly rewarding to see young men and women succeed through the Liberty National ACE Grant Program. This event helps further our mission at Circle K to become the world’s leader in convenience and fuel—and in most of the states and communities where the AJGA hosts events, or where families travel, we have Circle K facilities to support their needs.”
Looking ahead, the 2025 Circle K Junior Championship is shaping up to be another exceptional event, building on the momentum and success of previous years. This year, the tournament will take place at The Pfau Course at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, from June 23–26. Known for its challenging layout and stunning design, The Pfau Course will offer a unique and exciting experience for players and their families.
For more information on the Circle K Junior Championship, please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.