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AJGA, KPMG and Stacy Lewis create new tournament

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BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association, KPMG, and Stacy Lewis today announced they will work together to launch the KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational, a 54-hole, stroke-play championship at the Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Arkansas, on June 22-25, 2015.

The inaugural KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational will be the first format of its kind for the AJGA. A field of 64 of the best players (32 boys and 32 girls), ages 12-15, will play in mixed pairings to determine the Boys and Girls Division champions, as well as introduce a new boys-versus-girls team competition. In the team competition, the top eight cumulative boys’ scores and the top eight cumulative girls’ scores will decide the overall team champion.

“I am thrilled to see this tournament come to fruition where boys and girls will be playing together in the same pairings at a place that is so close to my heart,” said Stacy Lewis. “I want to thank the Blessings Golf Club for agreeing to host this special event. I am excited about how this format will not only help to spark new friendships, but will also encourage the development of a healthy gender-blind respect for each other as fellow competitors. Thank you to the AJGA for saying yes to this unique format without hesitation and to my sponsor KPMG, who continues not only to support my endeavors on tour, but also the initiatives that are so important to me."

“KPMG is proud to support Stacy Lewis and the launch of this new Invitational because it aligns with our commitment to the advancement, development and empowerment of women – both on and off the golf course,” said John Veihmeyer, KPMG’s Global Chairman and Chairman and CEO in the U.S. “The first-of-its-kind format for this Invitational is exciting and will serve as a platform through which these young women can showcase their abilities on the same stage as the young men.”

The AJGA Junior All-Star Series is a collection of events specifically designed for boys and girls, ages 12-15. Stacy Lewis has hosted an AJGA tournament since 2012, and each of the four events has been played in the state of Arkansas.

“Stacy sets an incredible example for the next generation of junior golfers,” AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “I’ve always loved seeing how the boys and girls interact in our team match play events and I think this event will provide an exceptional opportunity to showcase the talent in our Junior All-Star Series.”

Blessings Golf Club is the home course for the men’s and women’s golf teams of the University of Arkansas, Lewis’ alma mater. “We are excited to have the AJGA return to Blessings Golf Club for this unique event,” said Richard Cromwell, Blessings General Manager. “It has always been extremely important for the Club to support junior, college, and amateur golf. The opportunity to continue this tradition and partner with Stacy makes the Junior All-Star Invitational a perfect fit for our Club.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit a KPMG-Stacy Lewis women’s finance and accounting internship endowment through which a female college student majoring in finance or accounting will gain important work experience at the AJGA prior to or immediately following graduation. The internship endowment will be bestowed annually.

About Stacy Lewis
Lewis, an AJGA alumna and currently-ranked No. 3 player in the world, has partnered with the AJGA since 2012 for the KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior Open, one of the top Open events on the AJGA schedule.

Lewis, a double major in finance and accounting in college, is a two-time U.S. Solheim Cup team member and has claimed 11 LPGA Tour victories, including two major wins at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship and the 2013 Ricoh Women’s British Open. In 2014, she won three times – North Texas LPGA Shootout, ShopRite LPGA Classic and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G – and became the first American since Betsy King in 1993 to sweep the three biggest season awards on the LPGA TOUR – Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy and Official Money List title. The Toledo, Ohio, native played in eight AJGA events, with her career-best finish (T4) at the 2002 Aaron's / Bob Estes Abilene Junior.

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”). KPMG International’s member firms have 162,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 155 countries.

About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-18) of more than 6,300 members from 48 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex, which is in its fourth decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Ralph Lauren became the AJGA's second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 600 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Jordan Spieth, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Stacy Lewis, Vicky Hurst, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Morgan Pressel.

About Blessings Golf Club
Blessings Golf Club was established with the vision to provide a welcoming environment that allows members to enjoy time with family and friends in a place that is complimented by great golf. The golf facilities include a course created by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and an indoor short game practice area designed by Dave Pelz. In addition, the Razorback Center serves as the home of the University of Arkansas golf teams.