Event supported by Auburn-Opelika Tourism gives back to community
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — The American Junior Golf Association is proud to share the 2023 Moon Golf Junior All-Star presented by Auburn-Opelika Tourism raised more than $20,000 for charitable causes. Proceeds from the tournament are supporting the AJGA’s Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama.
The tournament was held July 3 through 5 at Rober Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National – Lakes Course.
“I’m thrilled to learn that the AJGA Foundation choose the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama (BGCEA) to be the recipient of an $11,000 gift from this year’s Junior event at the RTJ Grand National Golf Course,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “I cannot think of a better or more deserving organization. The clubs provide a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Richard Curry [Jr.,] and his staff do an excellent job providing a world-class club experience for our kids.”
Since 1990, The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama (www.bgceastal.org) has provided a safe place for children and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship and high-impact youth development programs daily during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles with a special emphasis on Life & Workforce Readiness and Mental Health & Trauma Informed Care. BGCEA, is a proud partner agency with United Way of Lee County and serves more than 2,000 youth through membership and community outreach.
“Today’s young people are the future leaders, innovators and change-makers for our nation,” Curry, president & CEO of BGCEA said. “Our organization is committed to doing whatever it takes to provide a great future for all kids. We are honored that the AJGA Foundation has stood by our side to support thousands of youth across East Alabama.”
The AJGA Foundation supports growing the game of golf for juniors ages 12 to 18, the AJGA’s Leadership Links program and the Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant. The Liberty National ACE Grant provides financial assistance to young men and women who aspire to earn a college golf scholarship through competitive junior golf. Leadership Links helps children impact their community and help others. Since 2009, more than 4,000 juniors have volunteered for over 50,000 hours and raised more than $6 million for charity.
“With the support of Auburn-Opelika Tourism over the last few years and Moon Golf coming on board in 2023 to sponsor, we are excited to have the highest charitable proceeds in tournament history,” said Matt Emmi, AJGA regional manager – Southeast. “We cannot thank Moon Golf and Auburn-Opelika Tourism enough for their generous support and are excited to give back to the local community.”
The 2023 event was an exciting one where RTJ Golf Trail at Grand National — Lake Course again played host to the AJGA. Julia Herzberg of Gilbert, Arizona, and Hamilton Coleman of Augusta, Georgia, each earned their first AJGA titles. Coleman won by six strokes in the boys division.
“We were thrilled to be partners with the AJGA as well as Auburn-Opelika Tourism for this year’s event,” said Anne Moon, owner of Moon Golf. “We are passionate about the growth of the game and the AJGA makes it their mission, so partnering with them was a no brainer. The positive impact this event will have for the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Alabama is incredible and we are honored to be a part of giving back to the community. We are excited for 2024.”
“Auburn-Opelika Tourism is honored to be a part of giving back to community partners like the Boys and Girls Club of East Alabama,” said Anthony Terling, sports and event development manager at Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “Through AO Tourism’s mission and our focus of bringing quality sports tourism to Auburn, Opelika and Lee County; we partner with organizations such as the AJGA and local businesses like Moon Golf on hosting events that bring an economic impact to our community but more importantly leave a legacy of giving back to our community.”
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.