AJGA Blog

AJC Top 100: Todd Corum

Todd Corum

Tour Representative

Bridgestone Golf

Q: What was your time at the AJGA like? 

My time at the AJGA was unbelievable.  I interned in 1999 and was a Tournament Director from 2000 – 2004. My last two years with the AJGA, I ran all of the Association’s major championships.  The players that were playing and winning those events are now winning events on the PGA and LPGA Tours.  [It’s] very cool to see these players continue to have success as they move through each level of golf. 

Q: What was your favorite memory from your time at the AJGA? 

I have so many great memories from my time at the AJGA.  The friendships you make with the AJGA staff last a lifetime.  Also, I had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest players to ever play the game which included Phil Mickelson, Sam Snead and Justin Leonard, but meeting Arnold Palmer at the first HP Boys Championship at Bay Hill is my favorite memory from my time at the AJGA.

Q: How did the AJGA help prepare you for your current role at Bridgestone? 

The AJGA prepared me to do things the right way.  All the little details make an event special for all those involved.  Also, many of the contacts I had at the AJGA are still contacts I see regularly on TOUR now that I am with Bridgestone Golf.  The AJGA has such a great fraternity of people in the golf industry and many doors open for you just because of your association with the AJGA.

Q: What about the Association makes Bridgestone want to be involved? 

The AJGA is not only the best junior golf organization in the world but also one of the best associations in all of golf.  We want to be associated with the best players in the world and being a partner with the AJGA allows us to do that.  We currently sponsor an event, the Bridgestone Golf / Brandt Snedeker Music City Junior, as well as sponsor the low first round award at each event.  This allows us to stay involved with golf’s next generation of superstars.

 

 

In June, Brandt Snedeker will partner with his sponsor, Bridgestone, to host the Bridgestone Golf / Brandt Snedeker Music City Junior presented by Toyota. Snedeker, AJGA alum and current PGA TOUR professional, is devoted to giving back to the community, and along with various children’s charities he supports, he believes in the importance of giving back to junior golf.  Snedeker posted three top-20 AJGA finishes and received Rolex Junior All-America honorable mention honors in 1998. Snedeker went on to attend Vanderbilt University where he was named SEC Male Golfer of the Year during his senior season.  Snedeker was named PGA TOUR “Rookie of the Year” in 2007 and won the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola in 2012.

 

In case you’ve missed something, be sure to check out our full AJC Top 100 interview series. 

AJC Top 100: In case you missed it

It's been one week since the AJGA was named one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Metro Atlanta by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Over the last week, we've run some great content across our different outlets and we have more great content for you in the week ahead. 

In case you missed out on some of the stuff we shared last week, here's a wrap up of what you missed: 

Our awesome Multimedia Production Manager Greg created a video celebrating the AJGA's place as a Top 100 Workplace. Watch the video and hear from past and present AJGA staff as they talk about why they loved working for the AJGA and what makes it such a special place to work. 

 

“Whether it is a full-time career or a stopping point, it’s a great opportunity to learn what it’s like to have a job and be responsible.” – Jim Heard

(Read more from Jim’s interview here.)

“AJGA staff members are very hard workers. They are the type of people who can work a long day and still laugh at the end. It is very rare to find people who can work 15 hour days, getting up at 4:30 a.m. in the morning and working until 9 p.m., who can still laugh after. Everyone really cares about each other. It starts from the top, Stephen [Hamblin] cares about developing staff members personally and professionally.” – Kristi Bradley

(Read more from Kristi’s interview here.)

Last Thursday, we did a quick throwback to 2009 when the AJGA hosted a “Film Festival,” and staff members from all departments mades videos explaining why the AJGA was such a great place to work. The following video won “Best Picture,” but you can check out all the entries here.

 

This week on the blog, you can look forward to more interviews from AJGA staff alum that have gone on to other jobs in the Atlanta area, as well as hearing from current AJGA staff members about opportunities they have had as a result of their employment here.

Have you worked for the AJGA in the past as a full-time staff member or an intern? Be sure to connect with us on Twitter and tell us about some of your favorite memories.

 

Until next time,

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

 

AJC Top 100: Kristi Bradley

When I first interned with the AJGA in the summer of 2011, I had the pleasure of working with Kristi Bradley at my second event. In that week and the rest of the summer, I learned so much from Kristi. From my intern tasks to my current full time position as a Communications Coordinator, I'm confident that Kristi helped me do all facets of my job better. I’m excited to share with you our second phase of the AJC Top 100 blogs, an interview with Kristi Bradley, former AJGA Media Relations Manager and current Marketing Coordinator with Sequoia Golf Management. 

(Kristi Bradley, front center, pictured during her 2008 intern summer)

What makes the AJGA such a special place to work?

Every day you wake up and want to go to work because the end result is something so positive. You are making a difference in the lives of junior golfers and the future generation of golf. There are so many players on the PGA and LPGA Tours who came up from the AJGA so we really are developing the next generation of golfers.

How would you describe the AJGA culture?

You can’t find a culture like this anywhere else. It is the way the AJGA picks people from the internship, people who care about the outcome and the mission. From day one you are taught the mission and you become surrounded by people who care. People who work hard and have fun doing so.

What qualities do you see in the AJGA staff?

AJGA staff members are very hard workers. They are the type of people who can work a long day and still laugh at the end. It is very rare to find people who can work 15 hour days, getting up at 4:30 a.m. in the morning and working until 9 p.m., who can still laugh after. Everyone really cares about each other. It starts from the top, Stephen [Hamblin] cares about developing staff members personally and professionally.

What is your favorite memory from your time at the AJGA?

So many of my greatest memories come from the AJGA internship program. You are out there doing something that no one else is. You drive from city to city, experiencing some of the nicest courses in the country. When I went home after my internship, no one could understand the experience I had. I grew up in a small town and it was hard for me to come out of my shell, but the internship helped me grow and develop as a person. I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunities it afforded me.

 

Complete list of AJC Top 100 Series interviews

Until next time -

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

Finding the Right Fit: College Golf

In January, Andy Germann placed tied for third in December’s ShowMeGolfers Junior Championship. The ShowMeGolfers event preceded the national convention for the Golf Coaches Association of America in Las Vegas, allowing coaches the opportunity to step away from convention activities and onto the golf course to recruit during the weekend.

When I last spoke with Andy, he was still looking for which college to continue his golf career. He found that perfect fit, signing a Certificate of Intent with the United States Air Force Academy.

High school students sign a Certificate of Intent with the Air Force Academy, as opposed to a National Letter of Intent (NLI). A Certificate of Intent is a non-binding agreement that signifies an athlete’s commitment to follow through with the appointment process. (Information from the United States Air Force Academy Athletics website)

Last month at the Goodman Networks Junior at Traditions, I had the opportunity to catch up with Andy and his dad Chris. We talked about Andy’s journey to find the right fit to play college golf, the AJGA and Andy’s decision to attend the Air Force Academy.

(Andy Germann at the Goodman Networks Junior at Traditions in March)

Me: What were your thoughts going into last season regarding the college recruitment process?

Chris Germann (Andy’s Dad): He [Andy] did not play in any AJGA events prior to last summer. He was average score wise and just wasn’t ready to compete; he was still trying to play in local tours. But going into that year, we knew that, if he was going to play golf in college, we needed to be involved with the AJGA.

The first thing we did was to figure out how to get into events, and we saw that Preseason events were going to be the best way to get the foot in the door. Andy placed second at the Preseason Junior at Brookhaven and that gave him confidence for the rest of the year. He didn’t feel like he needed to play catch up, he felt like he needed to keep playing. The Preseason event was a great way to do that.

Me: How did you hear of the ShowMeGolfers event, and why did you decide to pursue attending it specifically?

Chris: Going from summer tournaments to tournaments during the school year, we looked for special events that weren’t necessarily during the school week. That one was, but it was one event during the school year that we identified that we really needed to do. We put all our eggs in one basket. Going in, we told Andy, “This is one point on the line, you have the spring season, and you have the summer to play in AJGA events.” He just went in with the attitude, “Let’s see what happens.”

Me: Leaving the ShowMeGolfers event, what were some of your impressions of the event, the AJGA and any college prospects?

Chris: (On the AJGA and events…) My first impression was how well the events are run. Everyone is committed to what the mission is, and I sincerely mean that. Everybody is great to work with, we felt treated really well. The fields, there are kids and families that are really dedicated to golf, and you meet quality people, kids and families from all over the country. That’s a fun part of the experience.

Andy: (On the ShowMeGolfers event and college prospects…) I just think there are tons of opportunities, there were so many good coaches there. Doors were opening that weren’t there before. It was good.

Me: Tell me a little bit about Andy’s desire to attend a US Military Academy and that opportunity.

Andy: I had never really played well in school tournaments and it was the AJGA that really gave me the opportunity to play well. It was really cool how it worked out; I’ve wanted to be a pilot for a long time.

Chris: Andy wanted to play golf in college, but he really wanted to be a pilot at one of the Academies. So, when then AJGA talks about helping kids realize dreams, you have to realize that it’s not just golfing dreams, these are life dreams. If other kids like Andy can use golf to become an oil man, a stock broker or an Air Force pilot, then that’s the value of the AJGA.

 ---------------

I don’t know about you, but that last quote from Chris is what sticks out to me most about the interview. It’s an awesome reminder that the AJGA is helping all different kinds of junior golfers achieve their dreams, from juniors like Andy that hope to attend a certain school and program to juniors that hope to someday play on the PGA TOUR or LPGA.

As the spring signing period for 2013 graduates begins today, I can’t wait to hear more stories like Andy’s as AJGA members decide colleges at which to follow their dreams, whatever those dreams may be. To keep up with where AJGA members are headed, make sure you take a look at our Spring PING College Golf Signing Day album on Facebook, and key an eye on the #collegegolf hashtag on Twitter.

And just as a reminder, if you’re signing a National Letter of Intent today or in the future, make sure to let us know!

Happy spring signing period!

 

Until next time -

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

 

 

Candidates Speak: Intern Recruiting Rewind

After a day spent traveling from Oregon, South Dakota, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and everywhere in between, the 95 final candidates for the AJGA’s summer internship arrived at AJGA Headquarters last Friday night for Intern Recruiting Weekend.

From the moment candidates were greeted by staff at the airport until they boarded vehicles to take them back to the airport on Sunday afternoon, the weekend was a whirlwind of 36 hours where intern candidates learned about the AJGA’s mission, met the full-time staff, participated in various activities and interviews, and had the opportunity to hear from special guest speakers.

As I was trying to figure out how I wanted to recap Intern Recruiting Weekend on the blog, I realized there would be no better way than for some of the intern candidates to tell you themselves about what they learned about golf, the AJGA, and themselves. So, without further adieu, Intern Recruiting Rewind… from our intern candidates:

“Everyone I spoke to about IRW told me that it would be a once in a lifetime experience and that I would grow as a person because of it. What they didn’t tell me is that I was going to have the opportunity to see how an internship with the AJGA would impact others… [The AJGA] does not simply give junior golfers an opportunity to play, but it enhances, positively shapes, and changes the lives of those involved.”

            -Megan Arnold

“Each day I have been taught something new that can benefit me both as a person and help me elevate my professional career.”

            -Ryan LaBell

“Overall, the weekend was not what I expected, but I can say it was way better than I expected… I have already taken away so much from this weekend that will help personally and professionally.”

            -Jessica Self

“This weekend, I realized the AJGA is more than just an internship. Yes, it consists of a lot of work and long hours, but that is not what the organization is about. The internship program is about the relationships that are made and development of each intern. [During the weekend] I have learned about teamwork and the importance of each and every team member.”

            -Ashlyn Stone

“I have learned that each person in a group is a valuable asset. Everyone in the group brings certain ideas to the table that the other may not have thought of. We each have to give a little to all reach our goal of finishing the project. The American Junior Golf Association Intern Recruiting Weekend has been fun, eye-opening, and eventful. I have learned a lot and will use what I have learned in everyday life.”

            -David Nichols

“Along the way of working with my team, making decisions, and working toward the same goal, I have bonded with my seven other team members and have built relationship that I never expected coming here this weekend. I feel as though I have already grown as a person and have grown for my professional career.”

            -Megan Stiffelman

On Friday night, Bill Hughes, General Manager of TPC Sawgrass, spoke to the intern candidates and left them with the quote, “Success begins with a state of mind.” This quote was not only something that could be carried with the interns candidates over the course of the weekend, but also something we can all take with us in our everyday lives.

When I participated in Intern Recruiting Weekend in 2011, my thoughts were similar to those that are quoted above. Even if I had not been hired by the AJGA as an intern, or subsequently, in a full-time position, I learned so much that weekend that left a positive impact on my life.

It was awesome to get to meet all of the fantastic intern candidates that were selected to attend Intern Recruiting Weekend 2013, and I can’t wait to have some of them join us as part of #AJGA2013 and the #AJGAInternship.

 

Until next time,

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

Intern Recruiting Weekend by the Numbers

It's finally here. Internship Recruiting Weekend.

Tomorrow, 96 candidates for the AJGA's summer traveling internship will travel to Atlanta to begin an interview process unlike any other. Over the course of the weekend, as the staff learns more about the candidates, the candidates will also get to learn more about the American Junior Golf Association. 

If you're one of the candidates coming to town tomorrow, or you're just curious about the whole event, take a look at "AJGA Recruiting Weekend by the Numbers," to get a quick glimpse into what will be going on this weekend...

4,824 – Miles.  The furthest distance a candidate will travel for IRW. We have a candidate coming from Prague, Czech Republic!  

4,193 – (and counting) AJGA members in 2013.

1,200 – Approximate number of candidates that have attended IRW since its inception in 2001.

300 – Number of servings of dessert that Executive Assistant Mary Ann Cowgur and the rest of the food and beverage staff will prepare to provide a sweet ending to meals.

102 – Tournaments the AJGA will host in 2013.

96 – Candidates attending IRW 2013.

82 – Tweets using the #AJGAIRW hashtag on Twitter (if you haven’t joined that conversation yet, make sure you do).

76 – Candidates for the summer operations internship headed to Braselton this weekend.

70 – Total number of interns (approximately) hired each year by the AJGA (in-house, spring traveling and summer traveling).

68 – College and universities represented at IRW this year. We’re going to have quite a few Bulldogs (My colleague in the Communications Department, and Georgia grad, Amanda, was pulling for the spelling ‘Dawgs’ here.) in the house, as the University of Georgia will be the most represented school.

61 – Full-time staff members (that’s everyone!) who will spend their weekend assisting in the interview process.

51 – Full-time staff members who have completed an internship with the AJGA.

48 – Summer traveling internship spots available.

20 – Candidates for the summer communications internship will be attending IRW.

6 – Summer intern teams that will head out across the country to work AJGA events.

3 – AJGA staff that will spend their day at the Atlanta airport meeting and greeting candidates. (Thanks Kellen, Blair, and Jordan!)

1 – Intern Recruiting Weekend and chance to secure a once-in-a-lifetime internship opportunity with the American Junior Golf Association. 

(2012 Summer Interns)

 

If you're coming to IRW this weekend, know that we're all very excited to meet you. As always, we'd love to hear from you on Twitter, so use the hashtag #AJGAIRW, and give us a shout! 

Until next time, 

Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

Mix it up Monday: Trick Shots

There aren't a lot of people out there that frequently look forward to Mondays... There's just something a little sad about saying goodbye to the weekend and starting a new week of school or work. 

On Friday afternoon, Golf Canada tweeted a link to this video, created by AJGA member Joshua Gliege of Eagle, Idaho and his friend Sam Tidd. 

 

Josh and Sam's collection of amazing trick shots was the perfect video to watch to get through that last Friday afternoon push before the weekend, and inspired me to put together a quick collection of videos to get you through your Monday. Enjoy! 

First up, if you're like me, you enjoy a game or two (or three) of mini golf on a warm summer evening. There's just something about the pirate decor that adds an extra element to the game. No pirates or clowns involved in this shot, but that doesn't make it any less awesome.

Before his 40 PGA TOUR victories and induction in the World Golf Hall of Fame, Phil Mickelson participated in 26 AJGA events between the years of 1985-1989. This 3-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year ('86, '87, '88), gives us a little trick shot lesson so we can all try and impress our friends...

 

They might not be "trick shots," but these PGA TOUR pros make a few shots with some "lucky bounces" that could I doubt they could replicate even if they tried. My personal favorite is Andrew Magee's "lucky bounce" for a hole-in-one at the 2001 FBR Open (because it involves having a little #RulesSchool knowledge), it's No. 3 on the video. 

 

For one last video, even though it's not golf, I couldn't imagine a blog dedicated to trick-shots without a little shout out to the Harlem Globetrotters. 

 

 

I hope that this compliation has helped make your Monday just a little more bearable. I'm working on a few things to share with you all on the blog later this week, including a post about the golf bag donation to Tee it Up for the Troops at last week's HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods, and a look at the AJGA's Intern Recruiting Weekend that is taking place the second weekend in March. 

As always, I'd love to hear from you on Twitter. If you have some videos of your own tricks shots to share, have a different favorite "lucky shot" from the video above, or something else - give me a shout. 

 

-Alexis (@AJGAWitman)

 

News and Notes: Preseason Junior at Nemacolin

Parting thoughts from Farmington, Pa., as we wrap up the Preseason Junior at Nemacolin:

SOMEBODY’S WATCHING: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is home to a large number of statues, ranging from exotic animals to Native American icon, Sacagawea to the nation’s first president, George Washington. 

LENDING A HAND: Former board members of the 84 Lumber Classic served as tournament volunteers. The group braved cold, windy conditions during the 36-hole competition, helping players spot balls, keep up their pace of play and stay hydrated throughout the event. 

ALL IN THE FAMILY: The Preseason Junior at Nemacolin marked the first American Junior Golf Association event for Springboro, Ohio, native Sarah Kern, but it wasn’t her family’s debut. Sarah’s brother Matt is an AJGA veteran who is competing at the AJGA Junior at Steelwood this week.

IN THE WILD: The Links Course passes through a number of animal habitats, including bears, zebras, buffalo and bighorn sheep. Animal sightseeing is one of many adventures to be enjoyed at the beautiful Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. 

THE COURSE TRIPLE CROWN: Nemacolin is one of only a few venues to host an IMG Golf Academy Preseason Series event, a Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series event and multiple AJGA Open Championships.

by Colvin Hedgepeth and Caleb Barron, AJGA Communications

Quantifying Opportunities

by Kristi Bradley, AJGA Communications

Easter weekend is one of the AJGA’s busiest times of the year. Take a look at some of the numbers…

4 = number of Easter weekend AJGA tournaments

     - TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior All-Star at Château Élan 

     - TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Sean O'Hair

     - Goodman Networks Junior at Traditions

     - Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club

8 = number of newly-crowned AJGA champions

 

View Full Album

54 = number of juniors who became Fully Exempt after participating in Easter tournaments

1,817 = total number of Performance Stars earned by AJGA players over Easter weekend

132 = number of first-time AJGA members who played over Easter weekend

44 = total number of juniors who earned entry into Easter events via TaylorMade-adidas Golf Qualifiers

40 = number of states represented in Easter tournament fields

79 = total number of AJGA staff members working (The entire AJGA staff works Easter weekend events and all three spring intern teams also assist with the implementation of these large tournaments).

198 = number of volunteers who spent time manning timing stations, driving shuttles and implementing FJ Live Scoring. Thank you to those who took the time to help over a holiday weekend!

1,016 = total number of playing opportunities for junior golfers at AJGA Easter weekend events. A number that speaks for itself and signifies the goal of the AJGA.

King of the Island

“Whenever you see Jack Nicklaus in the airport, you say ‘Hi Mr. Nicklaus,’ never ‘Hi Jack.’ Unless you want to be arrested.” This was just one small bit of the inspired wisdom provided by Chi Chi Rodriguez to the 79 boys playing this week at the Puerto Rico Junior Open.

The Puerto Rico native took some time to come out to Trump International Golf Club this week to speak to the field and put on a clinic following the first round. Rodriguez entertained the crowd with stories about his idols Ben Hogan and Mother Teresa and reliving his biggest thrill in golf; winning the Denver Open Invitational.

With his brilliant charisma we have come to love and adore, Chi Chi emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity while always believing in yourself. Rodriguez reminded the players that “a hero dies only once, but a coward dies every single day,” as they prepared to tee it up this week in search of the coveted exemption into the Puerto Rico Open that will be awarded to the champion.

Each and every junior was able to soak up guidance and advice from the legend that won eight times on the PGA TOUR and 22 times on the Champions Tour, something they will never forget. Thanks to Chi Chi for being a great role model for all of us and an even better ambassador for the game of golf!

-Photo and blog by Casey Ceman, AJGA Tournament Director