The Imperial Junior Classic at Big Sky will be hosted at Big Sky Golf Course for the 5th time in 2023.
Imperial is one of the oldest brands in golf, and is the official headwear of the AJGA. Founded in 1916, Imperial has been designing and manufacturing premium headwear for more than 100 years. Some of Imperial’s partnerships and affiliations include: USGA, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, LPGA, Korn Ferry Tour, U.S. Open Championships, PGA Championships, Open Championships, Ryder Cups, Solheim Cups, and dozens of State and Regional Golf Associations.
“Imperial is so excited to be bringing the Imperial Junior Classic to Big Sky this year,” said David Shaffer, Senior Vice President of Sales. “Our relationship with the AJGA and Boyne Resorts make this event an incredible opportunity for us to support the best junior golfers in the world competing at a world class venue.”
The AJGA’s annual event at Big Sky has featured some notable past champions and record setters in its five-year history. Current girls No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Gianna Clemente of Estero, Florida, won the 2021 edition setting the tournament 54-hole scoring record at 16-under-par 200. 2022 champion, Angela Zhang of Bellevue, Washington, earned her third win of the year at Big Sky. Zhang, currently ranked No. 23 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, went on to win again in the fall earning the most AJGA wins by any girl in 2022.
On the boys side, 2022 Junior Presidents Cup US Team member, Johnnie Clark of Mesa, Arizona, set the low-round (-8) and low 36-hole (-14) records in 2021. 2019 champion Ben Lorenz of Peoria, Arizona, is current junior on the University of Oklahoma golf team. 2018 champion Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins, Colorado, is a senior on Oklahoma State’s golf team.
Big Sky Golf Course was designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer in the late 1970’s and has been renovated over the years to provide championship level play. The award-winning scenic golf course is 6,500 feet above sea level making for longer drives and mountain views across the 18-holes.
Imperial has been the ‘Official Headwear of the AJGA’ since 2019 and will continue through 2026. AJGA staff and interns wear Imperial headwear at all AJGA events. Members of the 2023 Wyndham Cup, PING Junior Solheim Cup and 2024 Junior Presidents Cup teams will also sport Imperial hats as part of their team uniform.