AJGA Blog

Advice from Annika

By: Amanda Herrington, AJGA Communications

“During that 24 seconds, nothing can bother me,” said Annika as she addressed a crowd of juniors, coaches, parents and AJGA staff during the ANNIKA Clinic sponsored by Rolex on Saturday.

One of the main topics during the clinic was how the former LPGA player, a 10-time major champion with 72 career LPGA victories, handled nerves and distractions on the golf course.

"When the Velcro on my glove was undone, I was not thinking about golf,” she said. “Once that Velcro was attached I was ready."

A huge proponent of having fun on the golf course, Annika stressed the importance of a pre-shot routine to get in the zone.

“Have fun, but when that routine starts, when I put my glove on, that’s my trigger to get ready.”

 It’s not often teenagers get direct advice from their heroes, which is one of the main reasons the ANNIKA Invitational is such a special event. Players were treated to a special look at the golf legend, and were even able to see her in action.

Bethany Wu borrows a glove and driver from Annika.

Some players joined her in front of the crowd. Casey Danielson picked up target advice as she practiced her short irons in front of Annika, while 2001 champion Simin Feng hit long irons and was recognized as the only player in the field to compete in all five ANNIKA Invitationals.

 

It was truly a dream come true as Sweden’s Linnea Ström practiced with Annika. The ANNIKA Invitational Europe champion hopes to emulate the career of her fellow Swede.

Bethany Wu joined Annika to demonstrate her drive. Wu, who did not show any nerves as she captured the first-round lead, fought a slippery grip when she had to use Annika’s driver.

“Of course I’m nervous,” Wu said to the crowd. “I’m using Annika’s driver in front of her.”

No topic was off limits as Annika encouraged questions among the clinic attendees. “What would you eat the night before a tournament?” “How do you deal with nerves?” “Did you ever go into a tournament thinking you were going to win?”

As the clinic came to an end, Annika asked, “Are you bored yet?”

The crowd answered loudly with a unanimous “no.”

ANNIKA Invitational Press Conference

By Chris Richards, AJGA Communications

The fifth-annual ANNIKA Invitational began Friday with a press conference that featured Annika, President of the AJGA Board Jim Nugent, AJGA Player Representative Nicole Morales, and ANNIKA Invitational Europe champion Linnea Ström.

The event’s first four champions have hailed from four countries, as China’s Simin Feng (2009), Argentina’s Victoria Tanco (2010), France’s Celine Boutier (2011) and the United States’ Alison Lee (2012) have helped embody the spirit of Annika’s vision.

“The purpose of this event is for me to give back to the game that’s been so great to me,” Annika said. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was in these girls’ shoes so I remember it very clearly.”

Annika’s support of the AJGA goes far beyond this week’s championship, as she is an AJGA National Chairman and has endowed an ACE Grant.

“We’re very proud that, through her Foundation, Annika has endowed an ACE Grant and that means a great deal to us as an organization and the kids that have benefitted from it,” Nugent said.

The American version of the ANNIKA Invitational began in 2009 and is one of Annika’s three invitationals worldwide, as the ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills (China) crowned its second champion in 2012, while Ström won the inaugural ANNIKA Invitational Europe in August.

“To start the ANNIKA Invitational in Europe and China really makes it a global game,” Annika said. “I want every little girl in the world to play this wonderful game and to have events on different levels to encourage them to follow their dreams.”

For Ström, her experiences playing in Annika events started when she played in the first of three ANNIKA Cups when she was 13 years old.

“ANNIKA Cup really took me to a new golf level and this is the first time I’ve played an AJGA tournament and this will give me the chance to maybe go to college in some years,” said Ström, who is now 16. “I’m really happy that Annika supports and inspires the future golfers.”

Morales will be one of Ström’s top competitors, as she is currently No. 6 in the Polo Golf Rankings and earned first-team Rolex Junior All-America honors in 2012.

“The fact that Annika is here makes the event so much more memorable,” said Morales, who finished T34 at this event in 2012. “To come back again this year means having the opportunity to be around that wealth of information and to be around such an amazing leader in the game of golf.”

Crisp Service: AJGA board member honored

By Amanda Herrington, AJGA Communications

At any given AJGA event, you can find professional golfers, experienced rules officials, national golf journalists and executives from top golf manufacturers. The AJGA serves as a leader in the game, bringing together experts from all facets of the golf industry.

On the AJGA Board of Directors alone, there is an assortment of industry leaders including Emily “Missy” Crisp, a former USGA Executive Committee member. Crisp joined the AJGA Board of Directors in 2005 while still serving on the Executive Committee at the USGA. A lifelong golfer since the age of five, Crisp jumped at the opportunity to bring a USGA perspective to the AJGA.

“The USGA talked about how we could be more engaged, more proactive, more supportive of the AJGA’s endeavors,” Crisp said. “By joining the board of directors at the AJGA, we could partner more productively than we had previously.”

Crisp’s presence at the AJGA has not been limited to the board room. A nationally accredited rules official, Crisp has offered her services as senior rules official at AJGA Invitationals. She has officiated at the ANNIKA Invitational three times, and the 2012 Polo Golf Junior Classic marked her fourth visit to PGA National Resort & Spa.

“This group of youngsters is very encouraging to the future of golf,” Crisp said. “They are extremely well-trained, thanks to the AJGA, and are versed on the guidelines, rules and regulations. It is delightful to watch the tremendously high level of sportsmanship, camaraderie and their respect; respect for one another, respect for the rules and respect for the game.”

Crisp is being honored with the Metropolitan Golf Association’s Distinguished Service Award for her impressive record of volunteer service that spans 25 years. With her unfailing support of the AJGA and her unrivaled love for the game, there is no one more deserving of this prestigious honor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.