AJGA Blog

Traveling volunteer

Get up. Drive to the course. Check in. Grab a donut. Fill the coffee cup. Pick up a radio. Man your station.

Such is life of an AJGA volunteer.

Unless you’re Gloria Dodd. Then it’s…

Pack a suitcase. Hop on a plane. Check into hotel. Get up. Drive to the course. Check in. Grab a donut. Fill the coffee cup. Pick up a radio. Man your station.

Dodd, a retired IRS employee, is from Madison, Mississippi. And she loves golf.

Why is she here you ask? She loves volunteering.

“I learned of the ANNIKA Invitational when I was volunteering at the 2011 Solheim Cup in Ireland,” Dodd said. “I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see these young girls play. They’re very impressive.”

I would say that traveling from Mississippi to Florida just to volunteer is pretty impressive. If you see Gloria (Live Scoring on No. 18), be sure to thank her!

I Never Thought About the Second Putt

Each year at the ANNIKA Invitational, players look forward to Saturday. Not only is it the first round of competition, but it’s also the day of the ANNIKA Clinic Sponsored by Rolex. This year, tournament participants were once again treated to an hour-long clinic hosted by arguably the best female golfer to ever walk a golf course.

Just as with past years, onlookers were given tips for their game, but this year they also got a special story-telling session. Annika took the time to tell the story of her infamous “59” round at Moon Valley Country Club. It was a great story that undoubtedly gave the girls chill bumps, but the thing I remember most from her recount of that day was one sentence:

“I never thought about my second putt.”

People ask her how she did it. People ask what was special about that day. Annika stretches her arms out to her side and says “The greens felt like they were this big!” She couldn’t miss. But not only that, once she got on the green, she didn’t think about her second putt.

She didn’t that about that second putt, because she had the confidence that she would make the first one.

In the first round of the ANNIKA Invitational, there were 173 birdies. Sounds to me that the players here aren’t thinking too much about their second putt either.

 

for Florida Hospital Healthy 100 Athletes
Transportation departs
from the Lobby at 4 p.m.

Annika on The Golf Channel

AJGA National Chairman Annika Sorenstam visited the Morning Drive on The Golf Channel this morning, sharing her insights on the world of golf. Most relevant to the AJGA, however, was her discussion about the upcoming ANNIKA Invitational, which was just recognized as the 2010 AJGA Invitational of the Year. View the clip at the following link, and if you wish to get to the AJGA conversation quickly, fast forward to the 14:15 mark. Enjoy.

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/golf-videos/-15222/?ref=26000

 

Roll Out the Red Carpet for the AJGA Tournament Awards

 When people think of the AJGA, a lot of times the first thing to come to mind is the caliber of players that play in our events. Elite. Cream of the crop. Top of the line.

 That’s definitely true. The AJGA showcases the best talent in junior golf, but the Association also showcases the best tournaments.

 Each year, the AJGA honors events that excel in different areas of the tournament experience. Tournaments with the best fundraising, volunteers, charitable giving, media and hospitality are all recognized. Awards also go to the Tournament of the Year, Invitational of the Year, Golf Professional of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, as well as the most improved tournament of the year.

To put it into perspective- these tournaments are the Rolex Junior All-Americans of the AJGA’s schedule, and with more than 85 events in 2010, selecting the winners was tougher than ever.

So without further adieu, roll out the red carpet and come to attention, the 2010 AJGA Tournament Awards have arrived.

Participants at the ANNIKA Invitational were treated to a clinic hosted by the LPGA legend. The tournament features off-the-course activities each evening.

Receiving top honors as the Invitational of the Year is the ANNIKA Invitational. To keep the comparisons going, this is the Rolex Junior Player of the Year, the Cadillac of tournament awards. This honor is bestowed upon the tournament that provides an unparalleled tournament experience. If you can think of an amenity you would want at an event, the ANNIKA Invitational probably already has it.

The Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club let players test their archery skills during the tournament cookout.

Also receiving the top award for Tournament of the Year is the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club. This award is given to the non-Invitational tournament that goes above and beyond to provide a tournament experience like no other for players, parents and sponsors alike.

For more information on all 10 awards and to see if an event in which you played made the list, visit the AJGA homepage or check out the special issue of The AJGA Insider dedicated to tournament awards.

 -Written by Ashley O'Dell, AJGA Communications

 

The AJGA in 2011

As a new year speeds into gear, the AJGA is preparing to get started with a bang at the annual Presidents Day events. The ANNIKA Invitational and the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods have been leading off the tournament season for years, and provide an exciting opportunity for the nation’s top junior golfers to showcase their talent on a national stage.

While these two events are in the forefront of the AJGA’s mind, there are many other things to anticipate for the 2011 season.

This year, the AJGA’s schedule will expand to 90 events, hosted in 29 states, Mexico and Puerto Rico (congrats on your wins at the Puerto Rico Junior Open, Jason and Monifa!).

The biennial PING Junior Solheim Cup will be held in Trim, Ireland in September. An invitation to be on the U.S. team will surely be on the minds of junior girls through out the year, as the U.S. hopes to retain the Cup and be the first team- U.S. or European- to win the event on foreign soil. Tournament participants can expect to see U.S PING Junior Solheim Cup Team Captain Meg Mallon scouting talent at AJGA events leading up to team selection.

Aside from the exciting tournaments, the AJGA is working to help develop the juniors within the organization. New programs such as AJGA Cares for the Course, alongside new pace of play initiatives and the return of Leadership Links will create opportunities for these young men and women to grow not only in their golf game, but help to develop charitable giving skills and promote volunteerism.

With a trial run of AJGA Cares for the Course at the Polo Golf Junior Classic under our belts, juniors will notice a major change in the Care for the Course program. In 2011, players will be given sand tubes (don’t worry, they are compact and light!), enabling them to fill divots as they go.  For all of you who do this, the group behind you says thanks!

AJGA National Headquarters is buzzing with new ideas, exciting events and an eye on the future. It’s an exciting time for us, and we hope you are all looking forward to the coming months as much as we are. We’ll see you on the road!

Here today, Olympics tomorrow?

Yesterday evening, as the best athletes from country after country marched into the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies, 72 junior golfers sat in the Grande Ballroom of Reunion Resort listening to a golf legend who has not only inspired them by her own play, but who has made their Olympic dreams a possibility.

Annika Sorenstam served as an ambassador to the Olympic Committee in Geneva where she made the case for golf as an Olympic sport. She carried her passion for the game before the committee, who luckily saw things her way.

So in 2016, as athlete after athlete, and country after country, marches into the Opening Ceremonies in Rio de Janeiro, keep your eyes open. You may see familiar faces that once graced the fairways of the Independence Course at Reunion Resort. You may see the 2010 ANNIKA Invitational champion.

Tournament Worthy of an Award

Tonight Annika and the ANNIKA Foundation were awarded the Newcomer of the Year award by the AJGA. The award is given annually to the most outstanding first-year event on the AJGA schedule with a committee structure that provides the best possible experience for AJGA members.

In 2009, Annika was on site for the three-day tournament and held educational activities after each round. Following first-round play, players and parents were welcomed to the ANNIKA Academy as Annika answered questions and performed a clinic on the driving range. Players were provided media training as well as nutrition and fitness guidance by the ANNIKA Academy staff as part of the off-the course activities. Annika hosted one-on-one interviews with players to help better prepare them for a future with the media, while her staff educated the girls on the importance of fitness and proper training structure. At the conclusion of play, Annika shook the hand of every player as they made their way to the scoring tent, making each player feel welcome and excited to be part of the inaugural event.

The 2009 event was one the girls will never forget. There’s no doubt the 2010 tournament will be as exciting as last year’s, we’ll just have to wait and see what fun is ahead.

What are those AJGA staff members doing anyway?

 

Grace Na, AJGA Player Representative to the Board of Directors, sat down with AJGA operations staff Greg Sanfilippo and Andrew Parr at the ANNIKA Invitational and asked a few questions about what it’s like to be an AJGA staff member.

Q. What time did you get the golf course and how cold was it?

Andrew Parr: 6:45 a.m. It was approximately 38 with a wind chill of 28. Not that I remember or anything.

Greg Sanfilippo: I had to go buy a hat and gloves this morning.

Q. How many layers did you have on today?

Andrew: Five layers

Greg: Two layers, but I’m the guy from Buffalo.

Q. What has to be done that we (the players) never know about? What do you do before the tournament starts?

Greg: We were on the golf course by 7 a.m. Some of us were setting hole locations, some painted stencils.

Andrew: I was on top of the roof setting up an antenna for our radios. Take a look on the top of the condos as you pass through No. 14. We met a guy from the engineering department that drove us out and helped us climb the ladder to the roof and set it up.

Greg: Some of the operations staff put up 25 banners.

Q. Did you guys even eat today?

Andrew: I think so.

Q. What’s your motivation to do this job?

Greg: A lot of little things, the overall product of when the tournament is said and done. I love seeing the players play a tournament golf course that we’ve set up. That’s cool. We set up golf courses for the greatest juniors in the world. From the yardages to the hole locations, we put a lot of thought into it.

Andrew: I’d say seeing all the families and people we know through junior golf. It’s nice to get to catch up at tournaments.

Q. What’s your favorite 6 a.m. breakfast?

Greg and Andrew together: Cracker Barrel

Greg: I usually have the Old Timer’s breakfast with two eggs over easy, strips of bacon and hashbrown casserole. And I usually upcharge for a second order of hashbrown casserole.

Andrew: My normal order is the eggs and meat breakfast. It’s in the low carb section. I’m not on a diet, but the casserole really fills you up. I have the eggs scrambled with cheese and sausage patties. And it has tomatos.

Q. What are your favorite, or most memorable AJGA tournament moments?

Greg: I really like seeing the practice round day when everyone is on the putting green or driving range. It feels like the event has officially started. Everyone is here, signage is up, and it’s go time.

Andrew: There are two best times. At night when no one else is here and the golf course is peaceful and calm and everything is set up. The second, after the awards ceremony is over, we still have a lot to do, but everyone is happy and there is a great sense of accomplishment.

Q. What is your favorite and least favorite operations task?

Andrew: My favorite is putting up the repeater, because I like climbing roofs. My least favorite is putting up banners.

Greg: Least favorite is… I wouldn’t say that I have a least favorite….

<Jonah Beck chimes in: Worst answer ever. Everyone has a least favorite>

Greg: However… I dislike putting out trash can frames. I always have to do it because I’m in charge of that equipment. My favorite is setting tees and checking the golf course.

Andrew: Oh my gosh, that is the best. Morning set up, with a fresh cup of coffee.

More Than a Tournament Host

As the 2010 season is upon us, there is no better way to start than with the ANNIKA Invitational. With 72 of the nation’s top junior girl golfers on site, the enthusiasm is in the air. No more so than with Tournament Host Annika herself.

At Friday’s press conference, Annika spoke on numerous topics including the ANNIKA Foundation, golf as an Olympic sport and the personal addition to the Annika family. No matter the topic, the excitement for the week ahead was apparent. Enthusiastic for the opportunity to once again share her knowledge for the game and her experiences, Annika will be hands-on as always.

Although 2009 was a transition year for Annika personally, it is never more present than now, how important the development of woman’s golf is to Hall of Fame icon.

Annika has arrived!

A press conference for the ANNIKA Invitational is set to begin in half an hour. This will be the first of many Annika sitings this week, as the LPGA Hall of Fame golfer has proven to be an extremely hands-on host for this event.

Sitting alongside Annika at the press conference will be defending champion, Simin Feng, as well as AJGA Southeast Regional Director Preston Etheridge.

On the media side, the Golf Channel is currently setting up and will be showing footage from the press conference on Golf Central tonight. Be sure to tune in to hear Annika’s thoughts on the 2010 ANNIKA Invitational!