Indian Creek’s junior golf event draws national field, organizers report $400,000 economic impact

Steve Mathiason, chair of the tournament committee, told the county board that Indian Creek Golf Club hosted the American Junior Golf Association event this summer and that the tournament attracted 96 players from 20 states and four countries, drew 257 visitors to the area and produced an estimated $400,000 in local economic impact. Mathiason read from thank-you notes and player comments collected after the event and outlined how the tournament engaged local high school golfers through a junior am format that paired local players with visiting juniors. “When you think about this tournament, we had, we hosted it,” Mathiason said, noting wide volunteer participation and strong support from local businesses. Organizers said the event required more than 200 volunteer slots and more than 60 volunteers filled those roles; AJGA staff provided tournament direction and nine interns. Mathiason said a portion of funds raised will go to help local high school golf programs, the Boys & Girls Club and the AJGA Foundation’s financial assistance efforts. He told the board the club had initially hoped to raise $75,000 and that roughly $20,000 would be returned to local youth programs after costs, an amount organizers described as an estimate rather than a finalized figure. Mathiason said Indian Creek’s golf committee unanimously supported hosting the event again under a three-year agreement that allows either party to withdraw; he said the likely timing next year would be in August and that the tournament attracted large online interest, with thousands of live-scoring and page views. No formal board action was required for the presentation; several supervisors thanked the committee and organizers for the event.