Junior Golf Tournament Brings $436K to Local Economy

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Mercy Health Foundation’s American Junior Golf Association’s Junior All-Star and AJGA Preview events brought $436,087 to the local economy, Mill Creek MetroParks reported Monday.

The events, which took place the week of June 19 at Mill Creek Golf Course, hosted 356 junior competitors, including six who earned their spot in a Sunday regional qualifier event for the Junior All-Star with a field of 156 players. More than 100 volunteers, 40 college coaches from around the United States and 24 staff and interns from the AJGA were also in attendance.

The $436,087 in economic impact for the Mahoning Valley sets a new financial record for the tournament, and the event has brought a total of $2,663,578 to the Valley since it began in 2016, according to a news release. 

The economic impact includes lodging for families and AJGA representatives, rental cars, dining and entertainment spending. In addition, a $7,200 donation was made between the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation and the AJGA Ace Grant, which came from funds raised for the AJGA tournament and Junior-Amateur event held on the Monday before the main event. To date, the AJGA event has raised more than $67,150 for local charities and has represented players from all 50 states and 37 different countries, the release states.

Abigail Lin of Folsom, California, was the female champion at this year’s AJGA Junior All-Star tournament, and William Chang of Danville, California, was the male champion.

Sohia Lu of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, was the female champion of the AJGA Junior Preview tournament, and Julian Sinishtaj of Macomb, Michigan, was the male champion.

Pictured at top: William Chang, left, and Abigail Lin.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.