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The Big “I” Junior Classic, formerly the Independent Insurance Agent Junior Classic is one of the oldest junior golf events in the United States. It is the nation’s largest stroke play golf tournament with over 5,000 junior golfers participating annually across the country. The national tournament was considered one of the four legs of the unofficial junior golf Grand Slam. Players compete at the local/regional and state levels in separate boys and girls divisions vying for one of the 162 spots in the national tournament. There are 108 boys and 54 girls from across the country involved in the national tournament.
Past notable national champions and/or Big “I” participants include Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, Billy Andrade, Bobby Clampett, Beth Bauer, Candi Kung, David Duval, Charles Howell III, Phil Mickelson and Notah Begay III. Some of the past Colorado qualifiers to the national tournament include Jon Lopez, Lee Harris, Paul Berry, Brandon Tomasovich, Steve Ziegler, Ken Coakley, Ryan Anderson, Shea Sena, Brooke Collins, Melissa Martin, Kelly Jacques, Becca Huffer, Ashley Tait, Lindsey Hulwick, Kristin Walla and Dawn Shockley, who won the national long drive competition in 2004. Bethany Buchner of Loveland placed second at the 2008 national tournament. For more information on the national Big “I” tournament and the history of the tournament, go to www.bigigolf.com
In 2012, there will be no regional qualifying tournaments. All players are invited to participate in the Big I Colorado State Tournament. This is a 36-hole, two-day tournament with the first round at Boomerang Links and the second round at Highland Hills. The top 3 Colorado boys and top two Colorado girls from the state tournament can advance to the national tournament. This year, we are also pleased to invite Wyoming juniors to participate in the tournament. Any Wyoming player must finish in the top three boys or top two girls to advance to the national tournament. Travel expenses from DIA and entry fees for Colorado players are paid for by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado. Chaperones travel with the golfers. The national tournament in 2011 tournament was held at Reunion Golf and Country Club in Madison, Mississippi. The 2012 Big I National Championship will be held at the University of Texas Golf Course in Austin, Texas August 7 – August 10, 2012.
The Big I Junior Classic is open to any golfer who will not turn age 19 on or before the last day of the national tournament and who has not started college on or before the first day of the national tournament. All players in the boys and girls divisions play from the same tees for their division.
The Colorado Big I state tournament is recognized by the Colorado Junior Golf Association and is on their points schedule.
The Colorado tournaments are sponsored by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Colorado and its member Independent Insurance Agents.
The national tournament is sponsored by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America , Trusted Choice and its agents, Texas Mutual Insurance Company and Nike Golf.
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