[by Rob Kelley, Director of Brand Marketing - FootJoy]
Another 97 degree day is forecast for the first round of the 2008 AJGA FootJoy Invitational at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, NC. This tremendous event attracts 99 of the top junior players in the world representing 9 different countries.
Sedgefiled CC is steeped in history. A Donald Ross design, Sedgefield CC was the original home of the Greater Greensboro Open and hosted the event for 26 years. In 2007, a major restoration process took the course back to its original Donald Ross design, but added over 400 yards stretching it to more than 7,100 yards. This August, the PGA Tour will return to Sedgefield for the Wyndham Championship. Another cool fact: the Wyndham Championship will be the only Donald Ross designed course played on the PGA Tour this year. Click here to find out more on Sedgefield CC.
I have to give you a little insight as to the quality of these Junior players. Of the 99 competitors in the field, 49 have already committed to Division 1 colleges. The balance of this group are primarily High School underclassmen who are evaluating their future options. Yesterday, I had the honor of playing with Cory Whitsett of Houston, TX in the Junior-Am event. Cory is the #2 ranked Junior, and just a Sophomore in High School. I was brave enough to play with Cory from the tips (note: this event is played from the same tees as the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship). Among my friends back home, I’m considered a “long” player. Yesterday, I rarely hit my driver as far as Cory’s 3-wood. Cory is LONG. He’s a gifted young player who hits his 7 iron 200 yards and nearly jarred a 247 par 3 with a hybrid. More imporantly, Corey is truly a wondeful person and was a pleasure to play with. He remained very patient watching me and my playing partners struggle through this outstanding and challenging layout. As an eight handicap, I carded an 88 and walked away truly impressed with both the venue Sedgefield CC offers and the 99 outstanding AJGA players who will challenge its PGA Tour layout.
I would encourage you to follow the 2008 AJGA FootJoy Invitational through their live scoring site:
http://www.ajga.org/2008FootJoy/index.asp
Check back for more updates,
Rob
