The Payne Stewart Family Foundation, a co-sponsor
of the
Bass Pro Shops / Payne Stewart Junior Championship since 2007, will
endow an Achieving
Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant beginning in 2013, the
American Junior Golf Association announced Friday.
The ACE Grant gives top-flight golf opportunities
to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps fulfill
the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college
golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.
“We are grateful to Tracey Stewart and the Payne
Stewart Family Foundation for joining us in the journey to ensure that all
talented junior golfers have the opportunity to earn a college scholarship no
matter their financial situation,” AJGA Vice President of Development Walker
Hill said. “Through our ongoing partnership with the Payne Stewart Family
Foundation, we have witnessed their steadfast desire to honor Payne’s legacy by
positively impacting our next generation.”
Since its inception in 2003, the ACE Grant has
given 966 grants to 545 juniors. More than 3,000 playing opportunities have
been made available because of the ACE Grant.
In its 11-year history, juniors have received over $10.84 million in
college scholarships.
“We have been pleased to partner with the AJGA in
co-sponsoring the Bass Pro Shops / Payne Stewart Junior Championship and are
excited to add to that effort by endowing an ACE Grant,” Tracey Stewart said. “Our support of the AJGA’s efforts allows us
to honor Payne’s commitment to helping underprivileged children and youth and
encouraging golf as a vehicle for transforming lives.”
Payne Stewart, a native of Springfield, Mo., was
an 11-time winner on the PGA TOUR, and is a member of the World Golf Hall of
Fame. His victories included three major championships (1989 PGA Championship,
1991 U.S. Open and the 1999 U.S. Open). Bass Pro Shops, the co-sponsor of the
Bass Pro Shops / Payne Stewart Junior Championship, was one of Stewart’s first
sponsors when he joined the TOUR. Known for sportsmanship, integrity and
generosity, Stewart’s legacy will continue through the ACE Grant.