The Wells Fargo Junior Classic presented by Mizuno, contested at The Country Club of the South in Johns Creek, Ga., has received the Charitable Giving Award from the American Junior Golf Association. The Charitable Giving Award is given each year to a tournament or tournament committee that exceeds expectations in contributions to grassroots junior golf charities, and in 2013, the Atlanta-based event donated more than $48,000.
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 the highest 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 All-Star tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Awards will be presented at the J.R. “Digger” Smith Awards Banquet in Braselton, Ga., on March 8.
"We are very appreciative of the recognition we receive from the AJGA," said Chuck Strong, Tournament Chairman. “On behalf of the committee and our volunteers who make this event successful, we are very proud and look to continue the tradition for our players and sponsors.”
This marks the third consecutive year the tournament has been honored by the AJGA. In 2011, the event received the Hospitality Award, and the 2012 event earned the distinction of Tournament of the Year.
Since the inaugural tournament in 2009, the Wells Fargo Junior Classic presented by Mizuno has raised more than $194,000 for charity. In 2013, the committee focused efforts on how the event could give back to the local area. Selecting a deserving charity important to the community was essential in the development of the 2013 event, and ultimately, the American Red Cross Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter was selected as the main beneficiary.
“We wanted a charity that was a support to our local community,” said Strong. “The American Red Cross touches so many lives everywhere. The Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter has done so much for those around us, it was a natural fit.”
An annual supporter of the AJGA’s Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program, the committee has continued to support junior golf. In 2013, the tournament made an $18,000 donation to the ACE Grant, which provides financial support to junior golfers in need.
The tournament committee will continue its fundraising efforts in 2014, as the event returns to The Country Club of the South, April 25-27. Beneficiaries in 2014 will include the American Red Cross and the ACE Grant, as well as the Atlanta Junior Golf Association, The Country Club of the South junior golf program and the Eagle Ranch Children’s Home.
Complete list of 2013 Tournament Awards
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