Preview of the Year
Waubeeka Golf Links hosted the AJGA for the first time in 2017.
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Owner Mike Deep was instrumental in bringing the AJGA to Waubeeka Golf Links.
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The American Junior Golf Association has awarded the AJGA Preview at Waubeeka with the 2017 Preview of the Year Award. The AJGA recognizes this tournament for its ability to provide the best overall experience at a Junior Golf Hub Preview Series event in 2017.
Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation. Finally, the AJGA recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and general manager, as well as the most improved event, best new event, best Junior Golf Hub Preview Series tournament, best ACDS Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2017 season will be presented on-site at 2018 tournaments.
The AJGA Preview at Waubeeka was one of 15 tournaments in the Junior Golf Hub Preview Series in 2017.
“There’s just some fantastic people up here in Williamstown, and golf really is our passion,” said Waubeeka Golf Links Owner Mike Deep. “Junior golfers are what the sport is all about. They hit it so far already, they have no fear, and every day for them is just fun. One of our goals is that the 78 players that played Waubeeka will never forget visiting our town and our course.”
In the tournament’s first year, it was able to establish a full committee and a large volunteer base.
“The event was highly successful due to the hard work of the volunteers who were members and just friends of the course,” said Victoria Richardello. “The weather was tough, with rain, sleet and wind, which makes the great turnout from our volunteers even more impressive.”
From a hospitality standpoint, the event exceeded expectations for a first-year tournament. The field was treated to a magic show after the Players Meeting. During tournament rounds, players and parents enjoyed complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, as well as a snack and coffee station inside the clubhouse. Businesses also joined together to assist with sponsorship at the local level. To top it off, members of the committee assisted in providing meals and housing for the AJGA staff during the week.
“We wanted to put on a great event for the kids, and I think we tackled it 110 percent,” said Head Golf Professional Erik Tiele. “One thing I will say about Mike, as the owner of Waubeeka, is that he always goes above and beyond for juniors, both with the AJGA and with the community as well.”
The AJGA will return to Waubeeka Golf Links for the second straight year May 4-6.