Polo Golf Junior Classic Moves to Ginn Reunion Resort

Longstanding AJGA match play event returning to Orlando after three-year absence

The Polo Golf Junior Classic, which will take place for the 30th consecutive year in 2007, will be staged for the first time on two of Ginn Reunion Resort’s signature courses, the Tom Watson-designed Independence and the Arnold Palmer-designed Legacy in Reunion, Fla., November 17-23, the American Junior Golf Association announced Thursday. The three-year agreement brings the Polo Golf Junior Classic back to the Orlando area for the first time in three years after being staged at Walt Disney World Resort’s Palm and Magnolia Courses from 1995-2003.

Ginn Reunion Resort is home to the Ginn OPEN, one of the most talked about new events that appeared on the 2006 LPGA schedule. In its inaugural year, the event featured a $2.5 million purse and 49 of the top 50 players on the 2005 money list. This year’s Ginn OPEN will take place April 12-15.
This spring, the world’s No. 1-ranked female golfer Annika Sorenstam will unveil the resort’s latest addition, The Annika Academy, a boutique-style golf and fitness instructional facility. Sorenstam’s longtime swing coach Henri Reis and personal trainer Kai Fusser will be full-time staff members at the academy.

“All of us with Ginn Reunion are elated with the chance to host such a prestigious event,” said Peter Bonell, vice president of sales & marketing for Ginn Reunion. “Golf, especially the development of the junior player, remains a primary focus with Ginn Golf.”

The Polo Golf Junior Classic marks the first tournament of the AJGA’s 2008 season. The event consists of 36 holes of stroke play after which the 162-player field is cut to the top 32 boys and 32 girls. Match play then decides the champion in each division. Ginn Reunion Resort’s Watson and Palmer Courses will be used during the stroke play rounds and the first round of match play. The Watson Course will be the lone course utilized during the final four rounds of match play competition.

“The AJGA and its members are very appreciative to those at Ginn Reunion Resort who welcomed the Polo Golf Junior Classic with such enthusiasm,” AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “This event is steeped in history with many great past champions and host venues; we are looking forward to writing a new chapter with Ginn Resorts.”

The list of former champions is one of the most impressive in the AJGA’s history. Jamie Lovemark (2005), Morgan Pressel (2004), Brian Harman (2003), Paula Creamer (2002), Spencer Levin (2001), Hunter Mahan (1998), Beth Bauer (1995, 1997), Trevor Immelman (1995), Grace Park (1994, 1996), Tiger Woods (1991) and Stewart Cink (1989) all won the prestigious title during their careers with the AJGA.

Ginn Reunion Resort now becomes only the fifth venue to host the Polo Golf Junior Classic, joining Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club (1978-1989) in Palm Harbor, Fla., La Paloma Country Club (1990-1994) in Tucson, Ariz., Walt Disney World Resort (1995-2003) in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and Sea Island Golf Club (2004-2006) in Sea Island, Ga.

About Ginn Reunion Resort
Ginn Reunion Resort is a luxury golf resort in Orlando that will feature up to 6,000 varied accommodations including single- and multi-family homes, condominiums and townhomes. Amenities include three signature golf courses, award-winning tennis, a boutique spa, a waterpark and state-of-the-art meeting space. The centerpiece of the community is Reunion Grande, a luxury high-rise with 82 one- and two-bedroom suites and fine dining. For more information, visit www.reunionresort.com .

About Ginn Resorts
Ginn Resorts is a privately-held resort development and management firm specializing in exclusive leisure lifestyle and vacation destination communities. The firm owns and operates communities across the United States and the Caribbean. Headquartered in Celebration, Fla., the firm’s principals have more than three decades of experience in creating large-scale, master-planned resorts and recreation-oriented communities. For more information, visit www.ginnresorts.com .