WVU Medicine to host Golf Assocation Championship – WAJR

Story by Mia Henkins

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — 78 of the nation’s top junior golfers will join together to compete at the American Junior Golf Association Inaugural WVU Medicine United Hospital Center Junior Championships. The winner will accumulate points for the American Junior Golf Association tour.

The WVU Medicine United Hospital Center is teaming up with the Bridgeport Country Club for the next three years to host the event. Golfers such as Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler have been involved with the AJGA, so impressive golfers can be expected to compete in the tournament.

WVU Medicine United Hospital Center President and CEO Dr. David Hess joined WAJR’s “Talk of the Town” to discuss details of the tournament.

“We knew that we had an opportunity to bring the AJGA bnack to the state, it hasn’t been here for many years,” Hess said. “It aligned with our mission at the hospital to really help and bulster youth sports.”

Hess says he expects a good tournament for the first year back.

“We expect over 150 people to be coming into the area,” Hess said. “They’re going to be spending a lot of money here locally, they’re going to be staying in our local hotels and really they’re going to be getting a atset of what we’re proud of in North Central West Virginia.”

While this is a national, and sometimes international, event, there are guaranteed to be junior golfers from Bridgeport and Glendale. Hess encourages any families from outside the state to visit local parks and The Bridge Sports Complex in the area.

“This is the first year of what we’ve committed to for a three year partnership,” Hess said. “And again, I think it’s important for us to bring in these young, talented people. It’s a great opportunity for our region to come and get a taste of the next generatin of golfers.”

Fundraising will begin on July 13 and the money raised will be put toward scholarships for players who are interested in playing at the collegiate level. Money will also be donated to the ‘Greatest Need’ fund to pay for transportation and wigs for cancer patients. Local businesses will be volunteering, but anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact AJGA directly.

The tournament will start on July 14 and wraps up on July 17. Tickets can be purchased on www.ajga.org.