HISTORY

Seven years ago, 12 juniors teamed up and raised $12,000 for charity, and the Carolina Cup was born. Patrick Cover and Thomas Walsh, both North Carolina natives, founded the initial event. Though its leadership, title (originally the Dormie Cup) and venue have changed, this event provides a blueprint for future Leadership Links and ACE Grant fundraising opportunities. The event has raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project, Curesearch for Children’s Cancer, The First Tee of Sandhills and Tri Counties and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. The event also raises money for the AJGA’s Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, which provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. Since 2010, the event has raised $348,718. In 2017, the AJGA was excited to introduce the State Cup Series, founded to produce Carolina Cup-type events throughout the United States.

MISSION

The State Cup Series is a unique junior golf event series allowing competitive junior golfers the opportunity to showcase their golf talents while providing development in important life skills such as charitable giving, leadership and teamwork. Participants gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the benefiting charities while being celebrated for their accomplishments.

2019 State Cup Series

Mason Cup – Bowling Green, Kentucky at The Club at Olde Stone (August 23-29, 2019)
Carolina Cup - Pinehurst, NC at Pinehurst #9 and #2 (October 26-27, 2019)
Alabama Cup - Birmingham, AL at Shoal Creek on (November 2019)
Florida Cup
Tennessee Cup
Southern California Cup

DETAILS

Twenty-eight juniors (mostly, but not all AJGA members) are split between two teams in a two-day Ryder Cup style event
Participants come from all over the state
Each junior commits to raising a minimum of $1,000 to compete
Proceeds are split between the local charities and the AJGA’s ACE Grant program
A more formal junior-led banquet celebrates the accomplishments and educates juniors on the charity and the reasons to give back
Uniforms, golf balls, Leadership Links incentives and opportunities for top fundraisers to play with Rickie Fowler or meet Jack and Barbara Nicklaus at the Honda Classic serve as rewards to motivate the juniors