BRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association, KPMG, and Stacy Lewis today announced they will work together to launch the KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational, a 54-hole, stroke-play championship at the Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Arkansas, on June 22-25, 2015.
The inaugural KPMG Stacy Lewis Junior All-Star Invitational will be the first format of its kind for the AJGA. A field of 64 of the best players (32 boys and 32 girls), ages 12-15, will play in mixed pairings to determine the Boys and Girls Division champions, as well as introduce a new boys-versus-girls team competition. In the team competition, the top eight cumulative boys’ scores and the top eight cumulative girls’ scores will decide the overall team champion.
“I am thrilled to see this tournament come to fruition where boys and girls will be playing together in the same pairings at a place that is so close to my heart,” said Stacy Lewis. “I want to thank the Blessings Golf Club for agreeing to host this special event. I am excited about how this format will not only help to spark new friendships, but will also encourage the development of a healthy gender-blind respect for each other as fellow competitors. Thank you to the AJGA for saying yes to this unique format without hesitation and to my sponsor KPMG, who continues not only to support my endeavors on tour, but also the initiatives that are so important to me."
“KPMG is proud to support Stacy Lewis and the launch of this new Invitational because it aligns with our commitment to the advancement, development and empowerment of women – both on and off the golf course,” said John Veihmeyer, KPMG’s Global Chairman and Chairman and CEO in the U.S. “The first-of-its-kind format for this Invitational is exciting and will serve as a platform through which these young women can showcase their abilities on the same stage as the young men.”
The AJGA Junior All-Star Series is a collection of events specifically designed for boys and girls, ages 12-15. Stacy Lewis has hosted an AJGA tournament since 2012, and each of the four events has been played in the state of Arkansas.
“Stacy sets an incredible example for the next generation of junior golfers,” AJGA Executive Director Stephen Hamblin said. “I’ve always loved seeing how the boys and girls interact in our team match play events and I think this event will provide an exceptional opportunity to showcase the talent in our Junior All-Star Series.”
Blessings Golf Club is the home course for the men’s and women’s golf teams of the University of Arkansas, Lewis’ alma mater. “We are excited to have the AJGA return to Blessings Golf Club for this unique event,” said Richard Cromwell, Blessings General Manager. “It has always been extremely important for the Club to support junior, college, and amateur golf. The opportunity to continue this tradition and partner with Stacy makes the Junior All-Star Invitational a perfect fit for our Club.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit a KPMG-Stacy Lewis women’s finance and accounting internship endowment through which a female college student majoring in finance or accounting will gain important work experience at the AJGA prior to or immediately following graduation. The internship endowment will be bestowed annually.
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