Annika Supports International Girls Junior Event

Annika Sorenstam and the American Junior Golf Association are combining efforts to create The ANNIKA Invitational, an invitation-only event featuring the top 60 girls from around the world, the AJGA announced Tuesday. Held at Ginn Reunion Resort on the Independence (Watson) Course, the event will take place Jan. 16-19, 2009. Sorenstam will be involved in the tournament in every way, including conducting clinics and educational activities for the participants.

Rolex Watch USA, a longtime supporter of both Sorenstam and the AJGA, the LPGA and Callaway will be tournament partners. 

The event will be hosted by The ANNIKA Foundation. The ANNIKA Foundation is dedicated to providing inspirational experiences, and educational and financial resources that will help children in need to realize their full potential. The Foundation will create and partner with programs that teach the importance of living a healthy active lifestyle through nutrition and physical fitness and offer experiences and opportunities that enable aspiring junior golfers to pursue their dreams

Proceeds from the event will be used to endow an Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant in Sorenstam’s name. The ACE Grant program was created by the AJGA in 2003 to ensure competitive golf opportunities were available to all young golfers regardless of their financial resources. Since the program’s inception, the AJGA has awarded 255 ACE Grants to 170 juniors totaling nearly $937,000.

The tournament field will be selected using the Polo Golf Rankings along with select international invitees to be determined.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be hosting this AJGA event,” said Sorenstam.  “My intention has always been to help give back to the game of golf that has given me so much.  By providing these juniors a chance to learn about competition, health and nutrition and the camaraderie in golf, we are truly seeing the mission of the ANNIKA Foundation come to life.”

Comments

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Annika,

This sure does sound like a lot of fun. If only I could turn back the paws of time, I would make sure that I was one of those 60!

Now if you need any help with ball shagging that week - I am volunteering!

AtC

[B. K.]

Annika,
Thank you for your continued support and positive influence on our youth! You have always and are continuing to be such a great role model for kids, which as a former teaher/coach,I can tell you is so important. I would veture to guess that a few years down the road, some of these young ladies will take their place on the LPGA. And what a great example of how to handle themselves they will have had! You rock!

[Golf54deciple]

Annika,
I'm with AtC!!

Thus far, the ONLY thing on my '09 agenda is making my "first" trip to The ANNIKA Academy in April.

I'm hip to volunteering if you need any help with the youngins'!!

Wonder if there will come a time when we get to see this eent(and others) on TV!! Hmmmm . . .

[Angie D]

Annika,

Love the photos!! You look glamorous and elegant. Good for you. That is exciting about you and Lotta's work with the juniors, Im hoping Maddy can be a part of that someday (of course, if she wants it) Sorry I havent' blogged in awhile, just had a big move. You know the place, apparently you've been there, lol.

Hope all is well, see you in Hawaii,

A

[Annika]

Hey Angie, Glad to hear from you. Welcome back. We hope to see Maddy in the AJGA too one day soon. Take care

[Annika]

Thanks for your comments. Junior golf is vital to the growth of the game. If we need more volunteers for the event I will let you know !