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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Santa Rosa Beach hosts first AJGA tournament
SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – With talk of a potential PGA event coming to the panhandle, Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club hosted an American Junior Golf Association tournament attracting young golfers from around the world. The Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club welcomed the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) by hosting a three-day open tournament that drew top junior golf talent from around the world. The AJGA, based in Braselton, Georgia, is recognized for organizing some of the most prestigious junior golf events in the United States. The organization provides a platform for young athletes to earn status, which can lead to participation in more rigorous matches and increased visibility among college recruiters. Among the standout athletes was South Walton rising sophomore Neely Kight, who tied for second place. 'My short game was pretty good today, except for a few three-putts,' Kight said. 'My drives were strong, but my irons were a little off, so I had to get up and down more than usual. Since the tournament was local, I was able to get in some extra practice rounds, which definitely helped. I love this course, it's beautiful out here.' As it was the first year the golf club had hosted an AJGA tournament, the groundskeepers paid special attention to detail to ensure the course was in pristine condition with hopes of being selected to host again. 'The biggest thing about this golf course hosting the event is supporting junior golf, not just with our members, but across the sport,' a staff member said. 'We renovated the entire course in 2021, so we wanted players and families to experience it and give feedback.' The effort was noticed and appreciated by both players and their families. 'The juniors love it out here,' said Mary Caines the tournament director. 'I've received so many compliments from parents and players, they say it's one of their favorite courses. The atmosphere is really special.' Krishny Elwin, a rising junior from Puerto Rico who resides in Orlando, claimed first place in the girls division and credited the course for complementing her style of play. 'Playing on this course felt like it was built for me,' Elwin said. 'It's definitely challenging, if you don't hit it straight, you're in trouble. But it was in perfect condition, and I played really well.' The event was viewed as a major success and is expected to bolster Santa Rosa Beach's position as a premier venue for future junior golf competitions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Record green fees tee-up operating surplus at Lahinch Golf Club
Record green fee income of €3.3 million at Lahinch Golf Club last year helped the club post an operating surplus of €1.725 million. This year, the Lahinch has increased green fees to €375 for non-members to play a round of golf at its 'iconic' Old Course. In his report to members, outgoing chairman John Gleeson said that on foot of the 2025 green fee increase 'we expect our revenue from green fee activity to exceed 2024 levels'. The 2023 US Masters champion and LIV tour member, Jon Rahm won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open staged at Co Clare club in 2019 which raised the course's international profile. READ MORE American golfers usually make up a sizeable chunk of the green fee income and the annual report shows that arising from green fees increasing to €375 from April 22nd to October 10th Lahinch Golf Club is projecting that its green fee income will increase to €3.8 million in 2025. Mr Gleeson said that while members' annual subscription income increased to €1.23 million in 2024 'we continue to rely very heavily on revenue generated from green fee visitors'. Last year, the golf club's Golf Shop alone generated €1.38 million in sales of Lahinch GC branded clothing and accessories and other items, contributing a gross profit of €611,318 to the club's finances. In his report attached to the club's 2024 annual report, Mr Gleeson stated that 'it was another successful financial year for the club'. He said that the operating surplus of €1.72 million 'has allowed us to rebuild our finances with our contingency fund of €2 million in place, while providing additional funding for our clubhouse project'. Construction work continues on the upgrade of its 'no longer fit for purpose' clubhouse, which is now almost 60 years old and Mr Gleeson said that 'the tender price was €6.6 million which is a major undertaking for the Club'. 'We look forward to having the 'new clubhouse' completed ahead of the Walker Cup in 2026,' he added. Mr Gleeson said that the €2 million contingency fund is in place 'to deal with any significant downturn which would put pressure on our finances'. 'Golfing activity was at record levels by both members and guests and in particular the Castle Course has seen a large increase in usage by members,' he said. The club's finances were also boosted by new members spending €245,000 on 'Overseas Life Memberships'. Overall staff costs last year increased from €1.88 million to €2.08 million. At the end of December, the golf club's equity had increased to €10.7 million made up of €8.76 million in accumulated funds and €2 million in a contingency fund. The golf club's cash funds increased from €3.57 million to €3.78 million.
