The best junior golfers in the world have taken up residence at Reynolds Lake Oconee, this week to play in Rolex Tournament of ChampionsRolex Tournament of Champions golf tournament at the Great Waters Course in Greensboro, Ga. Golf fans are encouraged to come out to watch and there is no admission charge.
An invitation-only event on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) schedule, the Rolex Tournament of Champions is a national event for boys and girls, ages 12-18. The field will be determined by the Polo Golf Rankings, a proprietary system that takes into account wins and top finishes in national events, and will include a number of Rolex Junior All-Americans, who are determined in October of each calendar year using the Polo Golf Rankings to honor the best 96 overall junior golfers and the Rolex Junior Player of the Year.
The 2015 Rolex Junior Players of the Year Hannah O’Sullivan of Chandler, Arizona, and Philip Barbaree of Shreveport, Louisiana, won the 2015 Rolex Tournament of Champions and set 72-hole scoring records on the Crosswater Course at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. Barbaree posted a 24-under-par 264 in the Boys Division, while O’Sullivan finished at 14-under-par 274.
Begun in 1978, the Rolex Tournament of Champions is one of the two longest-running AJGA events. Past winners include Inbee Park, David Duval, Heather Farr, Charles Howell III, Morgan Pressel, Webb Simpson, two-time winner Beth Bauer, and three-time victor Phil Mickelson.
The week began on Monday with the Junior Am as tournament participants played with local amateurs, media members and sponsors. A breakfast and luncheon were also part of the day.
This event is part of the American Junior Golf Association’s schedule. The AJGA is more than just golf to these players.
The AJGA 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. Its purpose is to help AJGA participants grow and mature by understanding and accepting the consequences of their actions. The Code of Conduct is to be followed throughout the junior’s membership.
Rolex, a supporter of the AJGA since 1986, is the proprietor of the Rolex Junior Players of the Year, Rolex Junior All-America Teams and the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet. Rolex also sponsors the Rolex Tournament of Champions and Rolex Girls Junior Championship, two of the AJGA’s most competitive championships, as well as serving as an Official Partner of the biennial PING Junior Solheim Cup.
Rick Limpert
Rick Limpert is an Atlanta-based freelance writer that covers events, sports and technology on a regional and national basis. He writes a daily tech column for Examiner.com, weekly pieces for CBS Atlanta and monthly for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has contributed to Yahoo News and Sports, Sports Illustrated, NBA.com and others. He co-authored the best selling tennis book, "The Invaluable Experience" with pro tennis player, Danielle Lao. Rick's "Wireless Wednesday" tech segment on SportsRadio 92.9 The Game is something Rick looks forward to each week. Follow Rick on Twitter @RickRoswell.
