AJGA,
Titleist Agree to 10-Year National Sponsorship Extension Since
1989, there has been no greater supporter of the American
Junior Golf Association than Titleist. On Friday, Feb.
17, at the AJGA’s Digger Smith Banquet during
the Association’s Annual Meeting in Braselton,
Ga., Acushnet Company Chairman and CEO Wally Uihlein
announced a 10-year extension of Titleist’s National
Sponsorship, maintaining the company’s position
as the foundation to the AJGA’s continued growth
and success. “The
AJGA is the world’s premier junior golf organization,”
Uihlein said. “The extension of our current commitment
is intended to reinforce the current direction of the
AJGA which continues to provide a national competitive
opportunity for thousands of junior golfers each year,
helping maximize their opportunity to earn a college
golf scholarship. In addition, the extension of our
current agreement provides the AJGA with the long-term
financial stability it has long coveted and justly deserves.”
Seventeen
years ago, Titleist, as National Sponsor, became the
AJGA’s first unrestricted partner, allowing the
Association to use Titleist’s financial support
to further the AJGA Mission without any parameters.
In short, this agreement allowed the AJGA to further
evolve into the world’s best vehicle for top-flight
junior golfers to get the exposure needed to garner
college golf scholarships. “Titleist’s
unwavering support of the AJGA and junior golf is unparalleled,”
AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “The
recommitment of Titleist will continue to allow the
AJGA to reach goals once considered dreams. Looking
back at what we’ve accomplished and looking forward
toward new objectives and challenges, I feel confident
the AJGA is set up for success for many years to come.” During
Titleist’s tenure as National Sponsor, the AJGA
has upgraded every facet of the Association. As a result,
initiatives such as increasing the number of tournaments
conducted, making events more affordable by regionalizing
the schedule, giving more accessibility to the AJGA
through Srixon Qualifiers, Medicus Preseason/Postseason
events, Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series events and
Performance Based Entry, and creating the Achieving
Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant financial assistance
program, were made possible. In
looking at the numbers, the AJGA has grown from 2,622
members in 1989 to 4,930 members in 2005. AJGA tournaments
have grown from 24 to 75 events in 2006, with five events
being conducted simultaneously during most summer weeks
in 33 states and Mexico. With the steady growth in staff
and tournaments, the AJGA’s budget has increased
dramatically from $1.1 million in 1989 to a projected
$8 million in 2006. An AJGA staff of just seven full-time
employees has jumped to 52 in January 2006, filling
the Association’s 17,000 square-foot National
Headquarters that opened in 2000.
|