AJGA Sponsors Exemptions

[heavy_hitter]

26 minutes ago, RobS said:

We have a new event coming to area this year.  Shortly after it was put on the calendar, AJGA emailed and called, asking  us if we would not just volunteer but be on the tournament planning committee.  Mind you, they called us. We said we would consider it if he was in the event.  They said something to the effect of 'the exemptions are already taken but your son has done well in qualifiers'. As you said, why would we volunteer for an AJGA event that our kid might not even play in?  

 

We have no issue playing in qualifiers but even getting in to qualifiers is a wild goose chase at times.  We get different advice from everyone we talk to at AJGA which has included a read between the lines sort of suggestion to play fewer local /regional events to more effectively manage/enhance our kids ranking.  It's not as if he's playing entry level, one day events or every single week.  These are the better and best events in our section.  I just can't buy in to the idea that playing fewer events for the sake of rankings will somehow make him a better player.  Plus, he likes playing tournament golf, regardless of the name on the banner.  He's pretty much shifted his focus away from worrying about AJGA to playing we playing well in our State AM and Open, PGA Section Jr Championship and US Jr Am qualifying.

 

Agree with everything you said.  From a personal standpoint, I hate AJGA.  My opinion it is everything wrong with junior golf.  Parents chasing stars for $1,000 a pop.  It is a waste of money.

[heavy_hitter]

On 4/6/2023 at 9:48 AM, RobS said:

We have a new event coming to area this year.  Shortly after it was put on the calendar, AJGA emailed and called, asking  us if we would not just volunteer but be on the tournament planning committee.  Mind you, they called us. We said we would consider it if he was in the event.  They said something to the effect of 'the exemptions are already taken but your son has done well in qualifiers'. As you said, why would we volunteer for an AJGA event that our kid might not even play in?  

 

We have no issue playing in qualifiers but even getting in to qualifiers is a wild goose chase at times.  We get different advice from everyone we talk to at AJGA which has included a read between the lines sort of suggestion to play fewer local /regional events to more effectively manage/enhance our kids ranking.  It's not as if he's playing entry level, one day events or every single week.  These are the better and best events in our section.  I just can't buy in to the idea that playing fewer events for the sake of rankings will somehow make him a better player.  Plus, he likes playing tournament golf, regardless of the name on the banner.  He's pretty much shifted his focus away from worrying about AJGA to playing we playing well in our State AM and Open, PGA Section Jr Championship and US Jr Am qualifying.

 

I think what irritates me the most is the Ace Grant.  A person that makes too much money has to pay for everything, but can't necessarily afford to play in everything.  A kid whose parents don't make enough will get everything paid for and can play in every tournament their kid qualifies for.  It is discrimination in my opinion.  Complete BS!!  AJGA breaking the pocketbooks of middle class families for 45 years and counting.

Edited April 7 by heavy_hitter

[John119]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:22 AM, heavy_hitter said:

I think what irritates me the most is the Ace Grant.  A person that makes too much money has to pay for everything, but can't necessarily afford to play in everything.  A kid whose parents don't make enough will get everything paid for and can play in every tournament their kid qualifies for.  It is discrimination in my opinion.  Complete BS!!  AJGA breaking the pocketbooks of middle class families for 45 years and counting.

I've never looked into the Ace Grant. Does anyone know the income threshold to qualify?

 

[Tannerbug33]

On 4/8/2023 at 11:15 PM, John119 said:

I've never looked into the Ace Grant. Does anyone know the income threshold to qualify?

 

if its like everything else in my life i make $6 to much to qualify but to poor to do it on my own 😅

[wegobomber31]

Do Ace Grant recipients get Fully Exempt status? 

[heavy_hitter]

26 minutes ago, wegobomber31 said:

Do Ace Grant recipients get Fully Exempt status? 

No

[MahalNeneng]

Update to this 

 

we were offered a sponsors exempt to an aj last week. We turned it down as we are another tournament that week this summer. Came from rep of title sponsor. 
yes we know someone who knew the rep i guess our someone inquired on our behalf not knowing our full schedule.  
At least in this regard it would not of been a bottom of the board entry. Will be curious to see the results. 

[golferdad8]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:22 AM, heavy_hitter said:

I think what irritates me the most is the Ace Grant.  A person that makes too much money has to pay for everything, but can't necessarily afford to play in everything.  A kid whose parents don't make enough will get everything paid for and can play in every tournament their kid qualifies for.  It is discrimination in my opinion.  Complete BS!!  AJGA breaking the pocketbooks of middle class families for 45 years and counting.

ACE grant doesn’t pay for everything as you implied - it pays for partial players travel, I think like $500-750 per tournament. I recall reading Rose Zhang was once a recipient, and I’m a fan of Rose & this program. 

[John119]

15 hours ago, golferdad8 said:

ACE grant doesn’t pay for everything as you implied - it pays for partial players travel, I think like $500-750 per tournament. I recall reading Rose Zhang was once a recipient, and I’m a fan of Rose & this program. 

Totally agree!