The 2009 Trusted Choice Big “I” National Championship will be at Dornick Hills Country Club July 26-30.
The tournament is a national championship for junior male and female amateur golfers between the ages of 13 and 18. Begun in 1989, the local and state qualifying tournaments and the Big “I” National Championship draw one of the nation’s largest fields of junior competitors. This prestigious junior golf event is making its second appearance in Ardmore, with over 160 athletes participating.
“National attention will be focused on Ardmore during the last week of the month by golfing enthusiasts eager to see who might be the next PGA/LPGA star! Past winners of this event include Tiger Woods, Bob Tway and Justin Leonard to name a few,” Vice President of the Ardmore Tourism Authority Mita Bates said. “Many of these golfers will bring family and friends.”
The tournament is sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc., and many of the state representatives of their organization will also be in Ardmore for the event.
“The economic impact of this group over a five-day period will be substantial,” she said. “This provides a great opportunity to treat our guests to the southern Oklahoma hospitality for which we are known. These visitors will be staying in local hotels, dining at our establishments and shopping in our stores – let’s be sure to welcome them to Ardmore. I also encourage people to take the opportunity to go out to the golf course next week and see the best junior golf in the country.”
The Ardmore Convention and Visitors Bureau will be welcoming the golfers and their families as they register on Saturday, providing them with information about the area and an Ardmore Advantage Card that offers discounts at participating merchants. In addition, staff and volunteers will be assisting throughout the duration of the tournament.
For more information or to volunteer to assist during the event, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 223-7765.
