Sorenstam Backs New International Girls Junior Event

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 Sorenstam and the AJGA, the LPGA and Callaway will be tournament partners.

The event will be hosted by The ANNIKA Foundation. Its mission is to enrich the quality of life through the development of sports and physical fitness programs, provide resources that encourage participation and provide access to sports and physical fitness programs and/or to provide access and increase youth participation in the game of golf and to help aspiring junior golfers realize their potential by providing resources, new playing opportunities and experiences.

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."

Sorenstam's playing career includes 87 professional tournament wins around the world, 71 of those coming on the LPGA Tour, including 10 major championships. The LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer is now building a group of businesses around the ANNIKA brand, including the foundation, academy, clothing line, course designs, tournaments she hosts, and most recently, annikablog.com. Sorenstam was also recently named a USGA ambassador.

A Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament, similar to an LPGA Tour Pro-Am, will be held Friday, January 16.

The first round of The ANNIKA Invitational will take place January 17 with a tournament cookout and clinic held after play at the Academy. On January 18, the second round will be followed by an Educational Activity. Final-round action will take place January 19 on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

"It is truly an honor for the AJGA to partner with Annika Sorenstam on this special girls' tournament," said Stephen Hamblin, AJGA executive director. "It is a rare opportunity for young players to learn from a Hall of Famer who is committed to sharing her passion for the game with golf's next generation. It is sure to be a lifetime experience that these girls will never forget."

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Stewart Cink, Davis Love III, Cristie Kerr, Pat Hurst, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lincicome, Morgan Pressel and Julieta Granada.

For more information, visit www.ajga.org.