Rick Slaght, Head Golf Professional at Spring Meadows Country Club in Linden, Michigan, has been named the American Junior Golf Association’s (AJGA) 2024 Golf Professional of the Year. The award honors a PGA professional who displays an unwavering commitment to junior golf and consistently goes above and beyond to support the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women through competitive junior golf.
Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am fundraising, 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 Preview Series tournament, best Ninja Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2024 season will be presented on-site at the 2025 tournament.
Slaght has played a pivotal role in the success of the Randy Wise Junior Open presented by Genesee County, now entering its eighth consecutive year at Spring Meadows Country Club and 12th year overall. A longtime supporter of the AJGA, Slaght is known not only for his operational excellence but for the welcoming atmosphere he helps create for players, families and volunteers alike.
“I am extremely honored to be recognized by the AJGA as the Golf Professional of the Year. This year will mark the 12th AJGA Randy Wise Junior Open that I’ve been involved in, and I could not be prouder to work with an organization like the AJGA to grow the game of golf.”
Slaght’s passion for the sport and dedication to junior golfers is evident in his approach to every event. His commitment to helping young players develop both on and off the course has left a lasting impact on the tournament and community.
“I truly enjoy running golf tournaments and watching golfers work toward achieving their goals. Being a PGA Golf Professional, I get a front row seat to their journeys and often help guide them in competition, which leads to more overall enjoyment and more rounds played.”
Throughout the years, Slaght has seen firsthand the growth of the junior golfers who come through the AJGA, many of whom continue on to collegiate or professional careers. He believes the lessons learned through the game are just as valuable as the scores posted.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to watch junior golfers improve not just their skills, but also their love for the game. The dedication these kids show is inspiring, and it reinforces the idea that enjoying the ride is often the most important part of this sport—something that translates to life beyond golf.”
Among his many memorable AJGA experiences, one moment stands out above the rest—when his oldest son played his first 18 holes in a Junior-Am alongside AJGA participants.
“I will always cherish watching my son play his first full round with a group of members and an AJGA player. The junior golfer we were paired with was a great example of the maturity and professionalism the AJGA instills. These events teach players to appreciate the golf course, its staff and the volunteers. Every competitor leaves a better person because of the standards the AJGA sets.”
The impact of Slaght’s leadership is felt not only by the players but also by the AJGA staff who work alongside him year after year.
“Rick embodies what it means to be a partner in junior golf. He brings the highest level of professionalism to every event, and his commitment to delivering a Tour-level experience for players is a major reason the Randy Wise Junior Open has thrived. He’s a true advocate for the game and an even better person.”
For more information about the Randy Wise Junior Open presented by Genesee County, please contact Senior Regional Director, Midwest, Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org).