–by Mary Helen Darah

The AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open, hosted by Sylvania Country Club, was named the AJGA’s Open Tournament of the Year for the 2020 season.

The event won the Newcomer of the Year Award for the 2019 season and now has earned its second honor in the tournament’s second year on the AJGA schedule. The Open Tournament of the Year is awarded based on the overall tournament experience from hospitality, volunteers, sponsor involvement to impact on the community and more.
“This award really showcases how everyone involved with the tournament gets behind it and does whatever is necessary to make it successful,” said AJGA Midwest Regional Director Ryan Flanagan. “From Dana Incorporated as the title sponsor to the local committee and Sylvania Country Club, each person involved goes the extra mile to make sure that the juniors have the best experience possible each year. It has been incredible to see the impact this event has on the local community and the junior golfers who play in the event.”
Despite the difficult conditions faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hard work of the tournament committee, sponsors and golf course led to nearly $95,000 in net proceeds to the Special Olympics and the AJGA’s ACE Grant program. This was an increase of $18,000 from the event in 2019. Dana Incorporated, the tournament’s title partner, was instrumental in the tournament’s success. The Sylvania Country Club displayed the Solheim Cup trophy during the week and will also host the 2021 PING Junior Solheim Cup.“Hosting the AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Championship has added to our long history of hosting these tournaments as it fulfills our mission as a club,” said Sylvania Country Club General Manager Roger Parker. “Because of this new association we are eagerly anticipating hosting an international event with the PING Junior Solheim Cup later this year and our partnership with AJGA is certain to make it a resounding success.”
The 2021 AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open will be held at Sylvania Country Club July 19-22, 2021. Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation.
The American Junior Golf Association 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. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 7,000 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries.