Tour Stafford Junior All-Star named 2022 Newcomer of the Year

Media Contact: Anglea Ding, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 770-868-4200
Website: AJGA.org

The Tour Stafford Junior All-Star has been named the AJGA’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year.

Each year, the AJGA recognizes top tournaments, committees, and individuals who produce outstanding work during the previous AJGA season in 15 categories. Awards distinguish the effort of local supporters who make each quality tournament experience possible.

The inaugural Tour Stafford Junior All-Star was hosted at Gauntlet Golf Club, in Fredericksburg, VA. In its first year, Tour Stafford, Virginia, served as both the Title Sponsor and secured the Stafford County Economic Development Authority as the Junior-Am Title Sponsor. The organization created a full committee for the event, which showed the excitement the county had for the tournament. The committee helped to secure multiple charitable partners who all helped the event to be so successful. In total, the tournament donated $41,960 to the ACE Grant, Stafford Education Foundation and Stafford Junction, Inc..

Stafford County, Virginia, was honored to host an elite golf tournament in partnership with the American Junior Golf Association. In 2022, we saw a huge economic impact to the Stafford County community as we partnered with local business owners, tourism attractions, restaurants and charities, and we look forward to elevating the tournament experience again this year. -Lisa Logan, Tourism Program Director for Tour Stafford, Virginia

The AJGA’s “Project Zero” aims to alleviate costs associated with staff lodging, food/water, a medic and transportation to maximize the amount that goes to charity. The committee at the Tour Stafford Junior All-Star went above and beyond in securing multiple in-kind donations to help with Project Zero. The committee secured donated room nights for the staff at the host hotel, which is normally a big expense at every tournament. They were also able to secure two pallets of water for the event and donated gift cards for the staff to use towards dinner each night. The committee also organized for volunteer medical coverage during the event.

In addition to helping with Project Zero, the committee also hosted several unique experiences for the players. Following the first round of competition, an Italian ice truck was on site to offer complimentary treats to the junior participants, parents and staff members. Tour Stafford, Virginia, provided each player a cooler, sunglasses and a free meal at Chick-Fil-A in addition to their regular tournament gifts. The event also had a full sheet of volunteers, which helped elevate the tournament experience in several ways. From helping the field with their Pace of Play to helping the players spot golf balls, the volunteers showcased the hospitality of Stafford County while assisting with this prestigious event.

“The tournament committee at the Tour Stafford Junior All-Star really set an example for how to bolster an AJGA event. The Tour Stafford Junior All-Star had a great first year and they knew exactly how to elevate a player’s experience. None of it would have been possible without the full support and efforts by Tour Stafford, Virginia. We can’t wait to see how this event grows even more in the next few years.”-Patrick Plank, Senior Regional Director of the Northeast

AJGA tournaments are annually honored in the categories of hospitality, fundraising, charitable giving, volunteers, engaged media, and social media. The year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and golf course executive are honored alongside the most game-changing overall event, best new event, and top honorees in each tournament ‘series’ (Neuropeak Pro™ Preview Series, Ninja Junior All-Star, Open and Invitational). Awards are presented on-site during the tournament week.

The 2023 Tour Stafford Junior All-Star will be held at Gauntlet Golf Club on June 26-29. 96 of the country’s 12-15 year old junior boys and girls will compete in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament.

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American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)

The AJGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

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