JGAA ALUMNI APPRECIATION: LINKING PAST WITH PRESENT

by Jeff Locke

For the Junior Golf Association of Arizona

The Junior Golf Association of Arizona is excited to announce the launch of a new alumni appreciation initiative, joining generations of JGAA members past and present. Founded in 1983, the junior golf organization’s goal is to reconnect with thousands of alumni who went on to form the backbone of their local communities. Their stories will give present JGAA members valuable insight into the limitless possibilities ahead of them – both on and off the golf course.

“It’s a powerful motivator for our juniors to see the positive, real-world results of learning and applying the life lessons baked into the game of golf,” said Scott McNevin, JGAA Executive Director. “This initiative boosts our mission to educate, motivate and inspire future leaders through golf.”

Arizona is blessed with many examples. Professional golfers like Chez Reavie and Charlie Beljan played in dozens of JGAA tournaments on their path to the PGA TOUR. No doubt they paved the way for others to follow, like Sam Triplett, Mikayla Fitzpatrick, Haylin Harris, Ashley Menne, and siblings Preston and Grace Summerhays.

Menne, for one, certainly got back what she put into her JGAA career – and them some. Her eye-popping stats – 86 wins in 140 JGAA tournaments entered since her first in 2012 at age 10 – will likely never be matched. To be fair, the JGAA isn’t solely responsible for Menne’s ascent. The Sun Devil Junior certainly had many irons in the fire, but no doubt that’s where she sharpened her pitchfork the most.

The nine-year JGAA member attested that she not only “made lifelong friends,” but the “tournaments helped provide the foundation and experience I needed to earn a scholarship at Arizona State.”

Although Menne is an outlier to say the least, by design, the enduring rewards of JGAA membership apply to everyone in the field, even if they’re not aware of it at the time.

“Aspiring to play competitive golf at the highest level is a lofty goal with many collateral advantages,” said Alex Clark, JGAA Chairman of the Board. “Each and every JGAA member leaves with the tools for success, no matter where they sit on the leaderboard and no matter what they choose to do in life. The values they learn on the golf course – playing this oftentimes frustrating sport – give the confidence needed to work through future challenges.”

Bound for the University of New Mexico in the fall, current JGAA member Adam Miller is about to face the challenges of college golf. After twelve years and more than 80 events, he’s ready.

“I have been playing JGAA tournaments since 2011,” the Scottsdale Prep senior said. “The camaraderie, competitive tournaments and great golf courses all helped shape me as the player I am today.”

Menne and Miller are but two bright stars among thousands lighting up the Arizona sky, and the JGAA wants to keep in touch with each and every one. What’s more, the alumni project also encourages old JGAA golf pals to reconnect, in addition to passing on a passion for golf from one generation of JGAA members to the next.

The JGAA’s digital platforms will serve as the confluence, where JGAA alumni are encouraged to fill out the online form to reconnect with JGAA administrators and create a basic profile, which lists a few biographical bullet points. For past JGAA mem- bers, the searchable profiles will be a source to share “what they are up to” and “where they are now,” with content focusing on professional, personal and family life, as well as inspiring accomplishments, which may – or may not – include golf. An “Alumni Highlights” blog was also added to the website, detailing inspiring alumni stories and accomplishments.