Funds give Arizona junior golfers opportunities to compete and grow with the game of golf.
2018 Thunderbird Junior Classic
The Thunderbirds – hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open – announced a $150,000 grant to the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA). The funds will be used for the JGAA’s Financial Aid program to assists its members with participation fees – no juniors are turned away due to a lack of resources. General marketing and promotions efforts fall under the grant as well as the Itty Bitty Open, a fun-filled day of golf activities for 3-5 year-olds hosted at 20 Valley locations – free of charge. The grant also supports Youth on Course, a money-saving program that allows all kids – including JGAA members – to play golf at 17 Valley locations for $5. Finally, the grant allows the JGAA to subsidize tournament site fees, which in turn keeps players’ tournament entry fees as low as possible.
“We want to thank the Thunderbirds for their continued support of the JGAA,” said Scott McNevin, executive director of the JGAA. “With their financial commitment, the JGAA is able to introduce the game of golf to many more junior golfers and help them to grow within the game to become tomorrow’s leaders both on and off the golf course. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to offer nearly as many tournaments, and our impact on Arizona’s youth would be greatly diminished.”
“The JGAA is a great example of what The Thunderbirds and the Waste Management Phoenix Open are all about,” said Carlos Sugich, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. “The tournament is only here for one week, but the positive effects last all year long for organizations like the JGAA. Since golf drives our charitable giving, it’s fitting for our organization to seed resources back into the Arizona community at the foundation of the game.”
