Michael Pisciotta of
Alpharetta, Ga., and Nicole Morales of South Salem, N.Y., will join the
American Junior Golf Association Board of Directors upon being selected Player Representatives
for the 2013 season.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the AJGA is
governed by a Board of Directors, which meets quarterly to discuss relevant
topics concerning the state of the Association. Player Representatives are the
voice of the AJGA membership, which has exceeded 5,000 each year since 2006 and
reached a record high in 2012.
Pisciotta,
16, has excelled on and off the golf course, illustrating his ability to be a
leader amongst his peers. Throughout his three years competing in AJGA
tournaments, the two-time honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American claimed
five top-10 finishes in national competition, including a win at the 2011 AJGA
Huntsville Junior.
“I
really love the AJGA and going to all the tournaments,” Pisciotta said. “I have
learned how to be better in the sport and in life. You have to work hard to do
well in tournaments and that leads over to what you do in life.”
Going
low on the golf course has also helped Pisciotta in his fundraising efforts
through Leadership Links. In his Birdies for Charity campaign in 2011, he
raised $4,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. He also extended his
philanthropic involvement with the Foundation by raising $1,000 in donations at
the first-annual Fore NF Golf Classic in April 2012. The inaugural event
exceeded its fundraising goals and raised $42,000 with Pisciotta’s help.
Since
Pisciotta established his Birdies for Charity initiative, he has made 106
birdies and raised $7,110.
Pisciotta
will continue to be a leader in the player representative position, which he
said will give him the opportunity to speak on behalf of all AJGA players.
“Working
with the people that make the AJGA events possible is a great honor,” Pisciotta
said. “I’m really looking forward to being on the board because it is such an
honor and having the opportunity to help the AJGA as much as I can is really
special.”
Morales, 16, had a breakout season in 2012, earning
first-team Rolex Junior All-America honors and five top-10 finishes, including
a victory at the Genesis Junior Open and a T9 showing at the U.S. Girls’ Junior
Championship. She began her 2012 campaign with a win at the 2011 Polo Golf
Junior Classic, defeating Jessica Vasilic in the match play final, 3 and 1. The
South Salem, N.Y., native combined her success on the links with strong
academics, earning a place on the 2012 HP Scholastic Honor Roll, which
recognizes high school juniors and seniors with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
“I am so excited and honored especially after
watching Casey (Danielson) and Gavin (Hall) excel in this position last year,”
Morales said. “Being nominated is a huge honor and I am excited to work with my
fellow rep, Michael.”
Morales plans
to use her position as a player representative to learn more about the AJGA and
make informed decisions on behalf of her fellow competitors.
“I am
looking forward to seeing how the Association makes decisions and how they work
together to promote the players and the game of golf,” Morales said. “I hope to
provide as much insight as I can so they can make well-informed decisions for
the benefits of the players.”