►
Description
Aiken This Week travels to the beautiful Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, SC. Representatives from the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club describe the history of the tournament, the club and the charitable giving, which benefits the First Tee of Aiken and of Augusta, among others.
A
Welcome
to
aiken
this
week,
I
membri
Langston
I
am
privileged
today
to
be
here
at
the
sage
valley,
golf
club
to
talk
about
such
a
special
event
in
our
community
that
has
very
far-reaching
benefits,
I'm
being
joined
today
by
Tom
Wyatt,
who
is
the
tournament
chairman
and
the
president
of
sage
valley,
golf
club
and
Dave
Christensen,
who
is
the
general
manager
here
at
sage
valley,
and
we
can't
thank
you
enough
for
hosting
us
at
your
beautiful
venue
and
thank
you
for
being
here
to
talk
with
us.
Oh
thank.
A
B
Were
approached
by
one
of
our
members,
Paul
Simon
back
in
2009
about
doing
a
fundraiser
for
Augusta
first
tee,
and
we
always
wanted
to
do
something
here
at
sage
valley.
That
was
good
for
junior
golf
and
and
we've
always
been
involved
with
junior
golf
to
another
tournament.
We
did
for
13
years
in
aiken
called
the
Joe
Wyatt
memorial,
and
that
was
a
high
school
event,
but
we've
never
done
something
on
a
larger
stage,
a
larger
scale
out
here,
and
so,
when
Paul
approached
us
about
the
idea
of
doing
a
fundraiser
for
Gustav
first
tee.
B
We
said
well,
let's,
let's
host
a
junior
event
here
at
sage
and
let's
raise
money
through
that
junior
tournament
for
Augusta
first
tee,
and
then
also
we
were
starting
to
ache
and
chapter
of
first
tee.
So
it
was
a
no-brainer
for
us
to
get
into
it
and
we
just
always
been
real
passionate
about
junior
golf
growing,
the
game
doing
what's
best
for
the
game
and
obviously
starting
at
that
level
was
a
perfect
fit
in.
B
A
B
We
you
know
we,
the
field
is
top
50
for
kids
in
the
world,
you
know
and
then
what
we
do
through
the
tournament
is
provide
funding
for
augusta
and
aiken
first
tee-
and
you
know
we
that's
been
our
main
charity
at
this
point,
but
we
really
want
to
raise
money
for
other
local
charities
raise
as
much
as
we
can
on
a
local
scale
as
well
as
national.
So
it's
it's
been
a
very
rewarding
experience.
So
far,
we've
we've
been
able
to
generate
over
a
million
dollars
to
Aiken
Augusta,
first
team.
A
B
A
B
Back
in
two
thousand
actually
1999,
we
were
able
to
acquire
this
property,
and
you
know
my
father
always
wanted
his
own
place.
His
own
Club
and
golf's
always
been
a
important
thing
to
us
and
something
we've
always
done
together
ever
since
I
started
playing
when
I
was
seven
and
but
having
access
to
this
land,
hiring
tom
fazio
to
be
our
course
designer.
B
It
was
just
a
perfect
fit
and
something
we
had
just
been
so
happy
with,
but
we
officially
opened
up
October
first
2001
we've
been
here
15
years
and
survived
911
and
the
turn
it
down
turn
of
08,
and
you
know
we
we've
just
been
very,
very
blessed
to
have
the
support
we
do
from
our
membership
and
our
staff
as
well.
Well,.
B
A
C
Culture
of
sage
is
the
same
culture
that
the
Wyatt
family
brought
to
everything
they
were
involved.
In
the
reason
the
tournament
is
such
a
success
is
that's
just
summed
up
in
one
word:
that's
excellence
that
we're
focused
here
on
one
thing
and
that's
has
nothing
to
do
with
making
money
or
cutting
costs
or
efficiencies
as
just
doing
things
better
than
anybody
else
does.
When
you
have
at
a
staff,
that's
dedicated
to
delivering
excellence
at
every
turn.
C
You
set
yourself
apart
from
everybody
else,
and
there's
no
competition
and
that's
what
we've
done
with
the
the
junior
invitational
tournament
with
sage
valley.
It's
the
most
difficult
task.
We've
had
at
sage
valley
here
has
been
to
take
mr.
Wyatt's
vision
in
his
dream
and
put
it
into
action
because
that
he
always
says:
if
you
know,
if
you
can
dream
it,
we
can
build
it
and
that's
a
been
the
challenge
that
we've
had
here
and
that's
just
focused
right.
C
If
you
do
it
better
than
anybody
else,
you
focus
on
the
little
things
you
exceeded
everybody's
expectations
and
our
business
plan
is
a
small
membership
located
around
the
world
of
people
who
want
to
entertain
their
friends
and
customers
in
atmosphere.
Unlike
anybody
else,
and
that
business
plan
seems
to
be
working
working.
A
Very
well
working
very
well,
so
we
just
thank
you
so
much
for
being
here
and
talking
to
us
a
little
bit
today
and
the
tournament
will
be
april.
Twenty
21st
through
the
23rd,
and
I
think
what
is
truly
exceptional
is
that
badges
are
five
dollars
and
you
can
get
those
at
the
gate
of
pun
arrival
and
children
under
twelve
with
an
adult
or
free.
So
what
an
opportunity
to
come
out
to
see
this
exceptional
golf
course
to
see
some
wonderful
golf
and
to
support
a
great
mission.
We.
C
Encourage
everybody
into
public
to
come
out
and
see
this
tim
finchem
describe
this
tournament,
who
was
the
Commissioner
of
the
PGA
as
the
finest
amateur
event
has
ever
experienced
anywhere
and
for
the
this
community
to
have
the
opportunity
to
come
out
and
experience
that
we
really
and
we
want
to
make
sure
the
pricing
is
such
that
everybody
has
access
to
it.
Sure.
A
A
E
Junior
Invitational
at
sage
valley
brings
together
the
best
junior
players
from
around
the
world
to
compete
under
the
rules
of
golf
on
an
exquisite
course.
These
fifty
four
players
represent
the
future
of
the
game,
as
well
as
the
nine
core
values
of
the
first
team.
Honesty,
integrity,
sportsmanship
respect,
confidence,
responsibility,
perseverance,
courtesy
judgment
recognized
as
the
number
one
junior
golf
event
by
major
golf
publications
every
year
since
its
existence,
this
tournament
ensures
the
best
and
deepest
field
in
all
of
junior
golf.
E
F
E
Been
selected
as
one
of
the
top
junior
golfers
in
the
world.
Thanks
to
your
achievements,
you
are
now
a
few
challenging
rounds
away
from
the
coveted
gold
jacket
at
sage
valley,
just
outside
of
Augusta
Georgia,
surrounded
by
several
thousand
acres
of
southern
pine
forests,
majestic
rolling
hills
and
treacherous
lakes.
You'll
compete
against
the
best
on
a
pristine
course
that
will
test
every
aspect
of
your
game.
Your
invitation
includes
first-class
amenities:
a
caddie
travel
food
lodging
a
nike
night
a
special
evening
with
a
surprise,
guest.
A
G
G
About
over
20
years
ago,
we
started
the
first
tee
in
Augusta.
I
was
chairman
of
a
group
and
putting
together
and
over
time
we
talked
about
having
a
golf
tournament
and
so
one
day
one
of
our
meetings
about
I
guess
what
eight
years
ago
he
came
up
about
where
we
could
have
such
a
tournament,
and
it
would
have
been
a
local
tournament.
You
know
with
kids
and
so
forth,
but
but
it
was
I
was
asked
to
talk
to
world
and
wide
about
holding
it
over
here.
Well,
I
didn't
think.
G
Welder
would
do
that
because
you
don't
normally
have
tournaments
here
at
seeds
valid,
but
I
did
and
and
well
and
said.
Well,
I
won't
do
that,
but
here's
something
I've
been
thinking
about.
Let's
talk
about
it
so
after
visiting
for
a
while
it
was
that
was
the
beginning
of
the
junior
Invitational,
and
so
we
started
planning
for
it
then,
and
it
took
us
well,
we
could
have
held
a
tournament
a
year
earlier
than
we
did,
but
this
is
a
six
year
now.
F
G
A
G
These
because
these
chapters
of
the
first
tee
are
very
expensive
to
operate,
and
because
what
you
try
to
do
is
offer
as
much
of
the
services
that
you
provide
use
of
the
golf
course
arranged
at
no
charge
to
the
kids.
If
they
cannot
afford
it,
another
thing
can
afford
to
play.
You
go
up,
allow
them
to
play
so
most
of
our
kids
and
augusta,
and
I
think
likewise,
an
aching
on
the
scholarships.
So
it
takes
a
lot
of
money
to
do
that.
So
so
that's
the
reason.
G
G
G
G
I
For
me,
it's
been,
it's
become
one
of
the
most
important
things
that
I
that
I
do
each
and
every
year
is
that
goals
it's
always
good
to
write
to
the
school
time,
but
it's
also
good
to
to
write
down
what
you
need
to
do
to
achieve
those
goals.
So
you
could
say
I
want
to
become
the
best
junior
player
American
engineer
player
in
the
world.
J
A
I'm
being
joined
by
some
participants
of
our
first
two
programs
here
in
our
community
ebony
sneh
hi,
who
is
a
sophomore
at
Davidson,
fine
arts
in
Augusta
and
with
Rachel
keston
here,
is
a
senior
at
south
aiken.
Ladies,
thank
you
both
very
much
for
joining
us
today
and
being
here
just
to
take
a
few
time
to
talk
to
us
about
your
participation
with
first
team.
Thank
you
for
inviting
me
sure.
A
A
K
L
K
A
K
A
L
It's
impacted
me,
a
lot
I
remember
when
I
first
started,
someone
came
up
to
me
and
shook
my
hand,
my
first
day
at
the
first
tee
of
Aiken
and
I,
just
kind
of
stared
it
there
and
I'm.
So
shy
and
now
I've
been
able
to
travel
across
the
country
through
national
opportunities
and
shaking
someone's
hand
and
meeting
new
people.
Is
you
know
it's
something
I'm
very
comfortable
with
now
and
I've
learned
to
grow
into
a
young
kid
into.
You
know
a
young
adult
and
it's
just
been
a
great
experience.
K
Like
she
said
before,
I
joined
the
first
heat.
I
was
very
shy.
I
didn't
really
like
to
talk
to
people,
but
now
I'm
kind
of
really
open
into
meeting
new
people,
and
especially
like
national
opportunities
like
I,
went
to
the
eagle
and
ace
Golf
Academy
in
Tennessee
and
met
people
from
all
over
the
US,
and
it
was
really
fun.
We
played
golf
together
for
a
week
meeting
new
friends
across
the
country
meeting.
A
K
L
D
L
K
L
Like
the
course
is
really
beautiful
and
I
to
this
day,
I
can't
get
over
how
green
it
is,
and
then
it's
always
fun
playing
with
new
people,
because
I
know
I've
played
with
juniors
from
around
the
country
and
one
year
I
even
played
with
the
junior
from
Ireland.
So
that
was
really
fascinating
to
like
hear
his
accent
and
then
he
also
really
didn't
like
pinestraw
like
cuz.
They
don't
have
that.
L
K
A
Is
wonderful,
that's
a
wonderful
go
wonderful
goals
for
both
of
you.
Well
I
can't
thank
you
both
enough
for
being
here
and
taking
a
few
minutes
to
talk
to
us
about
your
experiences
with
the
first
tee.
They
seem
to
be
very
positive
and
I
would
wish
you
both
the
best
of
luck
in
your
future
endeavors
and
playing
golf
and
looking
forward
to
seeing
you
on
the
LPGA
and
and
and
and
having
rachel
is
farmer
center
in
our
future
sex.
Thank
you,
ladies
go
soon.
Thank
you.
A
N
H
N
There
are
three
pillars
to
pga
reach,
youth
diversity
and
inclusion
and
our
nation's
military.
The
core
focus
of
the
pga
reach
youth
pillar
is
centered
on
PGA
Junior,
League
golf
a
fun,
social
and
inclusive
opportunity
for
boys
and
girls
to
learn
and
play
golf
and
a
recreational
team-based
league
format.
Junior.
D
O
Me
a
good
finish
harder
finish,
good
hold
it
hold.
It
see
how
you
did
that.
What
I've
always
ask
myself
questions
photo
finish
baby
when
I
leave
this
earth
I
make
it
and
not
making
an
impact.
So
I
want
to
make
a
difference
in
a
young
person's
life.
There
you
go
right,
shot
wreath.
Reach
can
be
a
little
introverted,
but
through
this
this
Junior
League
program
has
confidence.
I
mean
it's
just
been
amazing.
Good.
J
N
The
pga
reach
diversity
and
inclusion
pillar
strives
to
make
the
game
accessible
to
individuals
with
cognitive
and
physical
challenges.
One
initiative
of
this
pillar
is
bringing
golf
to
you
on
the
autistic
spectrum.
Today
pga
reached
partners
with
the
ls
for
autism
foundation
in
developing
a
natural
series
of
game
on
clinics.
N
Q
J
R
F
S
A
I'm
being
joined
by
Elaine
Barnhill,
who
is
the
tournament
coordinator
for
the
junior
Invitational
Elaine?
Thank
you
for
taking
a
few
minutes
to
talk
to
us
today.
Thank
you
for
having
me
I
can
only
imagine
that
this
event
takes
so
much
planning
people
coordination
to
pull
off
a
world-class
event
that
this
is
pulling
in
players
from
around
this
country
and
internationally.
M
You're
right,
it
takes
a
lot
of
people.
There
is
there's
myself
and
we
have
a
committee
that
has
about
25
people
on
it
that
run
different
portions
of
our
week
and
they
manage
more
than
200
volunteers
and
it's
a
year-round
process.
So
we
will
finish
the
last
of
April.
We
will
say
thank
you
to
everyone
and
by
the
middle
of
May
we
will
be
starting
on
2017.
M
So
it's
that
that
part
is
wonderful
and
we
have
such
an
amazing
group
of
people
who
volunteer
all
of
their
time
to
make
this
happen,
not
to
mention
the
staff
at
sage
valley
that
it
would
not
happen
without
the
scoff
Club,
their
their
attention
to
detail
and
what
they
provide
for
everybody
for
the
week
is
just
phenomenal,
so
it
is.
It
is
definitely
a
very
big
group
effort
to
make
all
of
this
happen
for
everyone.
It.
A
M
M
Does
the
volunteer
poll
that
we
pull
from
comes
a
lot
from
the
first
two
bacon
and
the
first
day
of
Augusta
who
have
been
recipients
of
our
funds
from
the
beginning
and
in
turn
they
send
us
this
amazing
talent
of
volunteers
that
help
us
do
everything
out
here
and
keep
us
all
organized
and,
in
addition
to
the
sponsors
that
we
have
that
allow
us
to
provide
for
all
for
everyone.
Electrolux
at
the
beginning
has
been
incredible.
Nike
does
an
amazing
job
with
everyone.
A
M
We
hope
we've
made
everything
as
easy
as
possible
when
you
arrive
on
property.
Parking
is
free
and
it
will
be
to
your
left.
It's
very
easily
marked
once
you
come
in
the
main
gate.
Admissions
is
a
very
short
walk
down
our
badges
for
general
admission
or
five
dollars,
and
that
gets
you
in
all
three
days
and
we
have
merchandise
for
sale.
You
will
be
have
access
to
the
pro
shop
or
you
can
purchase
both
sage
valley,
merchandise
and
junior
Invitational
merchandise.
M
M
A
We
hope
that
all
of
you
will
come
out
to
support
the
junior
Invitational
here
at
the
sage
valley,
golf
club,
April
21st,
through
the
23rd
admission
it
for
children,
12
and
under,
is
free
with
an
adult
and
tournament
matches
are
only
five
dollars.
This
is
a
wonderful
opportunity
to
come
out
and
see.
This
remarkable
golf
course
see
some
great
golf
and
to
support
our
local
first,
two
programs
here
in
our
community
thanks
for
joining
us
for
Aiken
this
week
and
we'll
see
you
next
time.