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.
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.
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.