Ann Arbor Times

Leslie Park Golf Course (LPGC) has been selected as the host for the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) 2023 Neuropeak Pro Preview Series event in Ann Arbor. The tournament begins Monday, July 24, with the qualifier tournament and official practice round. The 54-holes of stroke play begin Tuesday, July 25, and culminate with the awards ceremony the afternoon of Thursday, July 27. The Ann Arbor preview event will bring 96 boy and girl first-time AJGA participants together in Ann Arbor. The four-day event is being hosted in partnership with the Ann Arbor Sports Commission.

“The City of Ann Arbor and Leslie Park Golf Course look forward to hosting 96+ of the world's best junior golfers and their families not only for golf, but the enjoyment of this wonderful community. We are thrilled to be a part of the AJGA network and to provide the competing junior golfers a new opportunity to showcase their talents on the vast topography of northeast Ann Arbor," said Douglas Kelly, Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation director of golf.

The AJGA hosts golf tournaments for players aged 12-19 seeking to play at the college level. The Neuropeak Pro Preview Series is designed specifically for AJGA members who have not yet played/been accepted to an AJGA tournament. This series offers these new and returning members the opportunity to start building performance-based entry status before application deadlines arrive for summer open and AJGA Junior all-star series events. The preview series aids in establishing the foundation for a junior golfer's career moving forward within the AJGA.

"The Ann Arbor Sports Commission in conjunction with Leslie Park Golf Course is excited to host the American Junior Golf Association Ann Arbor Preview. This event will allow us to showcase the county and specifically Leslie Park Golf Course as one of the premier stops on their schedule. We are expecting 96 of the best youth golfers from around the world to compete in the preview. Mark your calendars, and we hope to see everyone at Leslie Park Golf Course to watch the future of golf," said Mike Malach, executive director Ann Arbor Sports Commission.

The AJGA Qualifier Series is one of the main ways players get their start with the AJGA. Typically held the day prior to AJGA Preview tournaments, 18-hole AJGA Qualifiers give players an opportunity to "play their way in" to each coinciding tournament and earn PBE status for a future event. Typically, 10% of boys in an AJGA Qualifier and 10% of girls in an AJGA Qualifier will move on to play in the corresponding tournament. The exact number of spots will be posted at AJGA Qualifier registration. The AJGA also partners with the United States Golf Association on a national development program for young golfers who hope to compete on U.S. national teams.

“We are so excited to partner with the Ann Arbor Sports Commission to bring this event to Ann Arbor; and we encourage residents, spectators and golf enthusiasts to come out and watch the event," said Kelly. “Enjoy free admission to walk the course and watch the hopeful pros of tomorrow play." People with documented proof of limited mobility will be able to rent a golf cart for watching the event, Kelly explained, and the clubhouse will be open selling food and drinks as well as Leslie Park souvenirs. Parking is free at the Leslie Park clubhouse. Please note: LPGC will close for the tournament all day Monday, July 24 and 6 a.m.-2 p.m. July 25-27.

“The AJGA is looking forward to bringing an AJGA event to Ann Arbor for the next three years. Ann Arbor will be a wonderful host city and this event will provide substantial economic impact to the community," said Patrick Cansfield, AJGA director of business development. “Between the qualifier and tournament, the Ann Arbor Preview will bring nearly 200 players and their families to the area for the week of the event."

About Leslie Park Golf Course

Leslie Park Golf Course, located at 2120 Traver Road, was created in 1967 under the design of E. Lawrence Packard. The course has been the host facility to many city and state amateur events and qualifiers. LPGC has been recognized as the “Best Municipal Golf Course in Michigan" by Golf Digest, eCurrent Magazine's “Ann Arbor's Best Golf Course" for 10 of the last 11 years, as well as Gear Patrols' “Top 20 Municipal Courses in America." For location information, visit https://leslieparkgolf.com/.

About the Ann Arbor Sports Commission

Improving the quality of life through sports for all of Washtenaw County the Ann Arbor area attracts both sports enthusiasts and participants alike. Thanks to its easy accessibility, range of facilities available and variety of dining/entertainment options, the Ann Arbor area is a favorite of sporting event organizers. The Ann Arbor Sports Commission was formed to attract amateur sporting events to the Ann Arbor region by assisting organizers every step of the way. For more information, visit, https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/.

About the AJGA

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 7,900 members from 50 states and 60 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf's next generation. For event schedule information visit, https://www.ajga.org/tournaments/2023/ann-arbor-preview.

Original source can be found here.