AJGA tournament coming to Mill Creek

January 15, 2016 at 12:08a.m.

Some of the world’s best young

golfers are expected here in June

By CHARLES GROVE

YOUNGSTOWN

The American Junior Golf Association announced that a national tournament will take place at the Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman in June.

The main tournament, which will run from June 21-23, will feature a mixture of some of the best golfers ages 12-15 in the world, as well as local talents who can qualify their way into the 54-hole tournament.

“Basically there will be two tournaments,” said Matt Larson, AJGA Midwest regional director. “We’ll start off on Sunday, June 19, with a 100-player qualifier. It’s designed to hopefully help kids from Youngstown and this area qualify into the tournament. So from there, minimally we’ll take 10 kids from that qualifier into the main tournament.”

Larson said he believes Mill Creek is ideal for some of the top young golfers in the world.

“[This course] fits well for them,” Larson said. “They’re the best junior golfers in the world. They may seem a bit young, but they can play. And while this golf course will be challenging, I think it will set up nicely for them.”

The top young golfers in the nation and their families coming to the Mahoning Valley should provide a nice boost to the local economy.

“Between the two events we’ll probably have about 500 visitors for the tournament and qualifier combined,” Larson said. “The golfers are going to come in with a mom, dad, a couple of brothers and maybe grandma, grandpa and a couple of cousins as well. It’s a neat opportunity for them to see their son or daughter on the national stage. We do have some members in the Youngstown area, which is great, but what’s also great is the folks coming into town who will have a positive impact on the community spending their dollars here in the Youngstown area.”

On June 20, a Junior-Am Fundraiser will be held in which those interested can play with a group of three junior golfers during their practice round. Lunch and dinner will be provided, along with the ability to meet some up-and-coming golfers following the steps of some of the biggest stars in the PGA. Proceeds go to cover the cost of the tournament and what’s left over is donated to the Mill Creek Foundation.

“What’s really great about it is Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and most recently Jordan Spieth all played with us so it’s a neat opportunity to meet some of the next level of golfers,” Larson said.

The AJGA boasts members from 48 states and 50 foreign countries, mostly looking for high-level of exposure that could earn them a college scholarship.

“They come here to get that exposure,” Larson said. “Typically there will be for an event like this about a dozen coaches on site doing their recruiting, observing players and meeting families potentially. Hopefully from there that exposure means a college scholarship.”

Mill Creek director of golf Brian Tolnar said he’s especially excited for the exposure the park and the area in general will get from this tournament.

“Most importantly for us and the park it’s a matter of getting people in here even if it’s more than golf,” Tolnar said. “We have the Riverside Gardens, the trolley tour and there’s so many other places on top of the golf outing that the families can really enjoy with their time here.”

Those interested in participating in the qualifying tournament on June 19 will be able to register once the AJGA finalizes the main playing field, which should occur around late April or early May. Cost to play is $95 for AJGA members and $120 for non-members. But Larson said if cost is an issue, there are ways the AJGA can help.

“There is a program called the Ace Grant,” Larson said. “We realized we had golfers that had the ability to play in AJGA events, but they didn’t have the financial means. This is a reimbursement program where if your family qualifies financially, we will cover the costs for the tournament. That includes entry fees, travel, food and beverage on site and anything that is part of playing in a national junior golf tournament. So if that financial barrier is there, there is a program there to help.”

Visit the AJGA’s website at www.AJGA.org for more information or call the Mill Creek Golf Center at 330-740-7112.