Experience Olympia & Beyond and the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission will welcome the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to Thurston County this month as 78 of the nation’s top junior golfers compete at Tumwater Valley Golf Club.
The tournament, taking place Aug. 24 through Aug. 27, will bring talented young athletes and their families from eight states and three countries to Thurston County, highlighting the region as a premier destination for competitive sporting events while generating meaningful economic benefits for local businesses.
By attracting overnight visitors, sports tourism supports Thurston County’s economy as athletes and their families stay in local hotels, dine at area restaurants, shop at local businesses and experience attractions throughout the destination.
“We’re delighted to welcome the AJGA and these exceptional young athletes to Thurston County,” Shauna Stewart, CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond, said in a news release. “We hope they play their best golf, make lasting memories, and have the opportunity to enjoy everything our community has to offer. We’re rooting for every player to have a memorable week, both on and off the course.”
Previous AJGA tournaments have demonstrated significant value to host communities. One AJGA tournament held this past March generated 298 net visitors, more than $104,000 in visitor spending, 309 hotel room nights, and nearly $270,000 in total economic impact, per the release.
“The AJGA is very excited to be in the Olympia and Tumwater area this August. For years, we have hosted events in Washington, and we are looking forward to the future with both Experience Olympia & Beyond and Tumwater Valley Golf Club,” Andrew Wagner, AJGA tournament director, said in the release. “We cannot thank them enough for their dedication to not only the AJGA, but our players and helping get closer to that next step of being the next generation of the game of golf.”
The AJGA is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to developing young golfers through competitive junior tournaments. Many AJGA alumni have gone on to successful collegiate and professional golf careers.
For more information on Experience Olympia & Beyond and the Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission, visit ExperienceOlympia.com. For additional information on the AJGA, visit ajga.org.
