AGA golf trip to Ireland in the works
The Guardian Championship Epson Tour event is still looking for volunteers to help at the 54-hole tournament on the Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Capitol Hill in Prattville.
The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 15-17.
Maria Torres is the defending champion, while Huntsville native Janie Jackson won in 2021. The Guardian Championship of the Epson Tour features a purse of $200,000.
Volunteers are needed for the following positions: Scoring Central, Scoring Tents, Shuttles, and others.
Contact Bonnie Coleman at bcoleman@rtjgolf.com or go to guardianchampionship.com for more information.
Two weeks later, the Epson Tour returns to the state with a stop in Tuscaloosa for the Tuscaloosa Toyota Championship at Ol’ Colony.
Celine Borge won the inaugural event, This year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
There is no admission charge for either event.
The Backyard to host AGA’s 100-hole Hike
The Alabama Golf Association’s staff will again be raising funds for its Youth on Course Alabama initiative with a 100-hole Hike.
This year’s hike will be held Oct. 30 on The Backyard short course at the RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley.
The AGA staff will walk and play 100 holes from sunup to sundown to continue its growth of the game initiative in Alabama. Every dollar donated goes directly toward supporting Youth on Course Alabama. A donation of just $100 ensures that 20 youth golfers will get the chance to play a round of golf in 2023 and beyond.
The Alabama Golf Association’s goal is to raise $75,000 this year. In 2022, the AGA Staff, alongside YOC Alabama board members, exceeded fundraising goals to raise over $51,000.
“Junior golf is a powerful pathway to unlock a world of opportunities. By providing access to golf for all, we nurture essential life skills, teamwork, discipline, and resilience,” said Jeremy Gardner, director of junior golf at the Alabama Golf Association. “Beyond the fairways, it instills values like integrity, respect, and sportsmanship, shaping well-rounded individuals who will excel not only in golf but also in life.”
The Alabama Golf Association and Youth on Course have partnered to open the door for over 1,000 junior golfers ages 6-18 in Alabama this year, to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at participating facilities.
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide life-changing opportunities through golf. Since 2006, YOC has grown to support over 150,000 members and has awarded more than $2.8 million in college scholarships.
Members can play at over 2,000 golf courses worldwide for $5. For participating facilities in Alabama, YOC recognizes that the $5 fee may not adequately cover the expense of the round so each course is subsidized at a negotiated rate for the remainder of the green fee.
To support the 2023 100 Hole Hike, click here and donate any amount.
Irish eyes are smiling on the AGA
The Alabama Golf Association has announced its next international member golf-trip destination to Northern Ireland for August 24-31, 2024.
The itinerary for golfers includes five rounds of golf featuring the world’s No. 1 ranked Royal County Down (Championship), along with other renowned courses such as Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce), Portstewart Golf Club (Strand), Ballyliffin Golf Club (Glashedy), and Ardglass Golf Club.
Non-golfers will have a daily exploration trip to Belfast, Newcastle, Causeway Coast and Dunluce Castle. Registration is limited to the first 28 individuals.
The travel package includes luxury chauffered ground transportation to andfrom Dublin International Airport, 4-star accommodations, daily breakfast, on-site Sullivan Golf Travel representative and two cocktail receptions & dinners.
Cost of the trip is $5.038 for a golfer sharing a room. It’s $3,135 for a non-golfer sharing a room, while a golfer wanting a single room is $6,286. Pricing is based on 28 participants. If fewer travelers participate, the cost per participant will increase and will be based upon the prevailing Euro-to-dollar currency conversion rates. Airline flight, caddie fees and caddie gratuities, non-hosted food functions and sightseeing entrance fees not specified in the itinerary are not included.
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Featured image courtesy of Gregg Dewalt
