ACE Grant to Provide Financial Support to Junior Golfers

Juniors who have the ability to play in AJGA events – but not the financial resources – may receive aid

In an effort to continue combating the costs of playing a national junior golf schedule for players without the financial resources, the American Junior Golf Association enters its seventh year of implementing the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program.

The goal of the ACE Grant program is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

“The ACE Grant is one of the most important initiatives the AJGA has ever undertaken,” said AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin. “It is critically important that the AJGA help give young golfers who may have the talent, but not the resources, the opportunity to compete on a national stage to gain exposure for a college golf scholarship.”

The ACE Grant was piloted and funded through private donations during the 2003 season, helping 12 junior golfers play in AJGA events in which they otherwise may not have had the opportunity to compete.

In 2004, Rolex signed on to be the inaugural Founding Partner to the ACE Grant. “Rolex is extremely proud to be the Founding Partner of the ACE Grant program. There’s a great future in golf because of programs like this,” said President and CEO of Rolex Watch USA Allen Brill.

Through the benevolence of Rolex and private donors, the program has continued to grow.  Since its inception, the ACE Grant program has awarded 421 grants to 251 junior golfers, distributing more than $671,000. With the help of the ACE Grant program, these talented junior golfers were able to play in a total of 464 qualifiers and 1,191 tournaments.  Ultimately, the ACE Grant program will continue to expand until it is able to support all young golfers in need.

To apply for the ACE Grant, you must become an AJGA member, then you can log into the player center to view the ACE Grant application process. Once the online application is completed and the required IRS documents are received, the ACE Grant Committee will select those who qualify for the program and determine the amount of assistance for which they are eligible. Applying for the ACE Grant is RISK FREE. If you do not qualify for an ACE Grant and you have not applied for entry into any events, the AJGA will give you a full refund of your membership fee. Click here for additional information about the ACE Grant. This is a need-based grant; juniors must still gain entry into an event based on their own merits through the AJGA Performance Based Entry process.

For more information, contact Bob Miller, AJGA Chief Advancement Officer, via email at bmiller@ajga.org.

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