*Posted on behalf of the AJGA.
BRASELTON, GA. – The American Junior Golf Association announced a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029. The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.
The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.
“The 1898 Foundation is pleased to partner with the AJGA to support the annual golf tournament held at the historic Mill Creek Park Golf Course,” said Reid Schmutz, Director of the 1898 Foundation. “This sponsorship supports the advancement of the game of golf for young people at our local golf course while providing significant economic impact for our region.”
Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.
Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA TOUR events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.
“We’re excited to have hosted the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Mill Creek for the past ten years,” Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf & Recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said. “This new 4-year partnership with the 1898 Foundation as the title sponsor will ensure the event stays in our region of the country and here in the Mahoning Valley through 2029. The economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the 3 million dollar mark for our local community as well as $80,000 toward local charities in our community. We cannot thank the 1898 Foundation and their Board of Directors enough for their long-term commitment to junior golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.”
The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12–15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. Together, the two tournaments at Mill Creek provide an early-season opportunity for young players to compete, learn and build confidence as they progress in their junior golf journeys. The multi-year extension keeps Mill Creek Golf Course as one of the AJGA’s most consistent Midwest hosts and ensures the region will continue to welcome junior golfers and their families for years to come.
For more information on the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star or the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.
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 10,000 members from 50 states and 51 foreign countries. Through initiatives like the Liberty National 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.
TaylorMade and adidas are the AJGA’s Global Sponsors, supporting the AJGA for more than 25 years. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. adidas has been the Official Apparel and Footwear of the AJGA since 2017. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.
