The 18th Annual Lessing’s AJGA Classic will be held July 17 through 21 at the Woodmere Country Club in Woodmere, NY. The tournament showcases talented young golfers who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. This year’s event expects 84 players, boys and girls ages 12 to 19, to compete in the 54 holes of stroke play. With competitive golf as the backdrop, the AJGA provides a classroom where today’s junior golfers receive training in etiquette, service and conduct, while perfecting their game and exposing their talents to invaluable audiences.

Lessing’s, Inc. became the official sponsor of the tournament in 1999. Growing up, Steve Lessing’s oldest son, Steve Jr., was an avid golfer who traveled the country to play at a competitive level. As a Long Island native, Lessing recognized the high demand for competitive junior golf and lack of competition for the talented young athletes. In conjunction with the American Junior Golf Association, Lessing’s became the host and sponsor of a Long Island-based tournament to provide local junior golfers with the sought after stage seen throughout the nation on their home turf. Past AJGA alumni winners of the Lessing’s Classic include Keegan Bradley and Paula Creamer.

As an AJGA member, junior golfers may also apply for the ACE Grant. In 2003, the AJGA piloted the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant Financial assistance program in order to provide opportunities for juniors who have the talent, but not the financial resources, to earn a college scholarship. Applicants are required to comply with a rigorous application process designed to ensure recipients are truly in need. The ACE Grant has impacted the lives of more than 700 junior golfers throughout its tenure: 250 ACE Grant recipients have reported signing a National Letter of Intent; 1,343 individual ACE Grants have been awarded since the program’s inception in 2003; $378,000 has been reimbursed to 115 recipients with roots in The First Tee; and $2.5-million has been reimbursed in total.

Lessing’s Classic qualifying will take place on Sunday, July 17 at the Spring Lake Golf Club in Middle Island, NY and will be followed by a practice round on Tuesday, July 19 at The Woodmere Club. The tournament begins with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun on Wednesday, July 20 and the second round shotgun at 2 p.m. Finalists will tee off at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 21 and awards will be presented at 4 p.m.