Epson Tour to honor AJGA Invitational champions with tournament exemptions

BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) has partnered with the Epson Tour to provide select AJGA Invitational champions with exemptions into Epson Tour events.

"We’re excited to align with a premier amateur golf organization like the AJGA to provide opportunities for young stars to get a taste of professional golf,” said Epson Tour Chief Business Officer Mike Nichols. “The AJGA has been the pathway for so many current and former Epson Tour stars and we look forward to welcoming AJGA champions to these two Epson Tour events this year."

Annika The 2017 champions of the ANNIKA Invitational and KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational will qualify for a Epson Tour exemption.

The winner of the ninth annual ANNIKA Invitational will be invited to compete at Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, March 10‐12, 2017. The ANNIKA Invitational runs Feb. 17-20 at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Florida. The Girls Invitational is hosted by LPGA Legend and World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam and provides girls with an opportunity to experience “More Than Golf” activities including a Welcome Luau, Winning Approach Seminar, and Annika's Clinic Presented by Rolex.

Hula “I am thrilled for the ANNIKA Invitational champion to receive an exemption into Florida’s Natural Charity Classic,” said Annika. “Providing girls with the opportunity to succeed at all levels is at the core of our mission and we look forward to this partnership.”

The KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational champion will receive an invitation to compete at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, Sept. 15-17, at Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, Arkansas. The KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational is entering into its third year on the AJGA schedule and set to take place June 19-22 in Arkansas. The event, specifically designed for players ages 12 to 15, features a unique format where players compete in mixed pairings to determine an overall boys versus girls team champion and Boys and Girls Division individual champions.

Stacy “It has been a joy to watch as the KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational has grown into a premier AJGA event for 12-15 year olds and, now, the chance to earn an exemption into the Epson Tour’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout is further confirmation of the strength of our field,” said Lewis. “I am excited to provide more opportunity for juniors to compete at the highest level and to know that even more college coaches will be drawn to Arkansas to watch them.”

“The AJGA is excited to partner with the Epson Tour to give our girls Invitational champions an opportunity to compete at the next level,” said AJGA Chief Business Officer Jason Etzen. “Many AJGA alumnae have used the Epson Tour as a launch into successful LPGA Tour careers and we’re excited to expose more members to the Epson Tour.”

In 2016, nine Epson Tour champions were AJGA alumnae, including Erynne Lee, Natalie Sheary and Nelly Korda.

*photos provided by the AJGA

AJGA partners with Epson Tour

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