American Junior Golf Association Announces 2010 Tournament Schedule

With 2009 having come to an end, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) is eager to move into 2010 with an exciting schedule of events for Junior Golfers.  With the addition of a few new venues this year and the allegiance and dedication of coordinators and impressive golf facilities, the young golfers taking part will enjoy the season ahead. 

The Golf Academy of America will once again sponsor the AJGA’s preseason series, though Junior Golfers are only allowed to participate in one event per calendar year. While there are eight preseason events from which to choose, Oak Valley Golf Club in Beaumont, California is the West Coast venue at this time.  The events timing, scheduled for April 30-May 2, should offer ideal weather not to mention a nice vacation spot for family in tow. 

Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series Events
With nine events scheduled, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior-All Star Series, specifically designed for AJGA members ages 12-15, gives Junior Golfers a chance to earn entry into open tournaments.  The events, scheduled throughout the U.S., will give young golfers a chance to hone their skills on the greens in Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Pennsylvania.  Again, though golfers may choose any five of the nine events, the Aldila Junior All-Star event will take place at Robinson Ranch Golf Club in Santa Clarita, California, July 12-15.  Impressively, Penn State Golf Course and Hilton Head are also hosting All-Star events this summer. 

The Open Events schedule for 2010 has 56 events scheduled, ruling the calendar from April to September.  Kicking off the season are three events April 1-4.  Winn Grips joins the AJGA’s busy Easter weekend as title sponsor of the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club, being held at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz., for the seventh year in a row. Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club and Traditions Club at Texas A&M also return as hosts for Open events Easter weekend, April 1-4.

Three other Open events in April and May will give juniors the chance to test their skills before summer comes and golf gets into full swing. The Country Club of the South and TPC Craig Ranch will both host events, April 23-25, while Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club’s Prospector Course will challenge juniors, May 7-9.

Several new venues join the AJGA slate in 2010, with some hosting events for the first time and others rejoining the AJGA schedule. The AJGA Huntsville Junior will take place at The Ledges in Huntsville, Ala., July 12-15. Florida also gets a new event as Ritz-Carlton Members Club in Sarasota, Fla., will host the AJGA Sarasota Junior, June 14-17. The Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y., returns to the AJGA schedule after a long absence by hosting the AJGA Apawamis Junior, Aug. 9-12.

The northeast gains another new Open event with the Erie Junior Golf Classic, which will be hosted at the Kahkwa Club, host of the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur, in Erie, Pa., Aug. 16-19.

For the fourth year in a row, the AJGA will return to El Camaleón Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for the Mayakoba Junior Golf Classic, Aug. 16-19. Mayakoba is home to the PGA TOUR’s only event in Mexico and provides a unique opportunity for junior golfers to play a professional tour course outside the United States. 

For the Junior Golfer who does exceedingly well, the opportunity may present itself by way of invitation to one of eleven events. The ANNIKA Invitational joins the HP Boys Championship at Carlton Woods on Presidents’ Day weekend in 2010. Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla., will host the unique all-girls event, while The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, will once again welcome 78 boys. Both events will take place Feb. 12-15.

The 33rd annual Rolex Tournament of Champions moves to Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark., June 28 - July 2. Blessings Golf Club, home to the Arkansas men’s and women’s golf programs, hosted AJGA Open events in 2008 and 2009.

Labor Day weekend will once again highlight the best junior boys in the world when The Junior PLAYERS Championship returns to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Sept. 2-5.

Where will you play in 2010?
No matter which level of junior golf you plan on playing during the 2010 season, the AJGA’s line-up of tournaments gives all its members the chance to play at some of the country’s greatest golf courses.

In addition to all of the courses mentioned, the AJGA will be returning to some of the traditional stops, including Coosa Country Club, Grayhawk Golf Club, Moon Valley Country Club, Bellefonte Country Club, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Sedgefield Country Club and Mission Hills Country Club.

Take advantage of the schedule release and start planning your year in Junior Golf now. Membership sign-up for 2010 is also available now - visit ajga.org for more information. As always, continue to check www.ajga.org for the latest information on where the AJGA will be headed in 2010.