FootJoy
Signs On in Greensboro
Top Players, Top Course, Top Sponsor Will
Unite in June
The
top boy golfers from around the country will measure their
games at the FootJoy Boys Invitational, June 14-18, on one
of North Carolina’s premier courses, Forest Oaks Country
Club, home of the PGA TOUR’s Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.
FootJoy, the leading manufacturer of golf shoes and gloves,
will elevate the American Junior Golf Association tournament
as the event’s new title sponsor.
In its two-year history, the top players in the nation have
emerged with the title in one of junior golf’s strongest
fields.
Tournament Chairman Mark Brazil (left) congratulates Brian Harman after last year's event. |
Last year’s champion, Polo Golf Junior Player of the
Year Brian Harman of Savannah, Ga., won three AJGA majors
and the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2003. In addition, 2002 champion
Seung Su Han of Chino Hills, Calif., tied the AJGA record
of four tournament wins in one season, joining Phil Mickelson
and Tiger Woods. Han also went on to claim Polo Golf Junior
Player of the Year honors.
Not only are the players of the FootJoy Boys Invitational
some of the top juniors from around the world, but the course
where the tournament will be played, Forest Oaks Country Club,
is home to the PGA TOUR’s annual Chrysler Classic of
Greensboro.
"The juniors will be playing where the big boys play,”
said Tournament Chairman Mark Brazil, who is also the tournament
director for the PGA TOUR’s Chrysler Classic of Greensboro
event.
Forest Oaks Country Club and the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro
have a rich history with two of golf’s greatest, Sam
Snead and Davis Love III. Snead won the Greensboro PGA TOUR
event eight times over a 28-year period earning him the title
of Greensboro’s greatest champion.
"I think the Juniors will really enjoy Davis’ new
design,” said Brazil.
About
the course: Forest Oaks Country Club Location: Greensboro, N.C Built: 1962 Par: 72 Yardage: 7,062 Design: Pete Dye and redesigned by Davis Love III Noteworthy: The PGA TOUR event, The Chrysler Classic of Greensboro, is held at Forest Oaks Country Club annually in the Fall. |
About
the Tournament: Tournament Name: FootJoy Boys Invitational Date: June 14-18, 2003 Player Field: 99 Boys Tournament format: 72-Hole Stroke Play Event |
Love, who is an AJGA alumnus and a previous AJGA national
chairman, is currently ranked fourth in the world and won
the PGA TOUR event in 1992. Forest Oaks Country Club was redesigned
by Love in 2002 and is one of his signature courses.
The undulating course features difficult grass and sand bunkers,
elevated greens, and plenty of water hazards throughout.
"We are truly excited about FootJoy’s Participation
as our new title sponsor, I know FootJoy shares our vision
of creating a PGA TOUR-like experience for the participants.
"Our goal has always been to create the No. 1 boys tournament
in the country,” said Brazil. “With FootJoy as
our sponsor I think we are that closer to reaching our goal.”
"I would like to create relationships and continue to
get to know the top junior boys of the AJGA. This will make
it easier for me to recruit them to play in the Chrysler Classic
of Greensboro once they made it to the PGA TOUR.”
Last year the AJGA tournament ended in a battle to the finish.
Harman and Giwon Suh of Orlando, Fla., began the 2003 final
round tied for the lead at 3-under-par. Harman played a smooth
round that was steady and conservative, while Suh struggled
on the back nine, giving Harman (69-71-67-68—275) the
win.
With the addition of FootJoy and Forest Oaks, the FootJoy
Boys Invitational is looking forward to another exciting year
with the world’s top junior talent.
For more information, please contact Lindsey
Parrott in the AJGA Communications Department at (770)
868-4200, ext. 785.