IIAJC Allows Independent Agents to Give Back to Communities
In 1969, independent insurance agents came together for a community service project that would empower and motivate young people. Since then, that project has matured into the nation’s largest junior stroke-play golf tournament.
The Independent Insurance Agents Junior Classic golf tournament (IIAJC), coordinated annually by the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), is the third longest-running junior golf event in the country. The tournament helps young golfers with their game by providing the genuine feel of PGA and LPGA events through a 72-hole, stroke-play event and practice round.
A total of 7,000 players competed in local and regional tournaments to claim a spot in the finals at the 36th annual IIAJC, held recently at the Dornick Hills Country Club in Ardmore, Okla., from July 25-29.
The top 162 young men and women moved on to the national tournament with hopes of winning the coveted Robert Trent Jones Trophy (boys) and the Mayerstein Trophy (girls). Young golfers also had the opportunity to compete in the 19th annual Patrick Cannon Memorial National Long-Drive Championship.
The IIAJC stands apart from other golf tournaments for two main reasons: the commitment of independent agents and talented young players.
“All parts of this tournament are a result of the big effort by the independent agents,” Harvey Little, IIAJC state chairman from Tennessee, said. “We make so many contacts with good young people. I’ve been involved for 20 years and they’ve all been fantastic kids. This has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.”
Bill Miller, IIAJC state chairman, from North Dakota, also can recall how this tournament has impacted the young players involved.
“To this day I have kids come up to me that played in the IIAJC and thank me,” Miller commented. “They tell me that without the program they would have not been able to go to college on a golf scholarship.”
The IIAJC has also gained recognition as the starting point for some of the nation’s golfing greats.
Tiger Woods was a two-time IIAJC champion in 1990 and 1992. Other notable IIAJC alums include Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Christie Keer, Candie Kung and Grace Park. PGA Tour champion Chris Smith is also an IIAJC alum. For the Smith family, the IIAJC is a family affair. Smith’s father and uncle are independent agents who work with the IIAJC.
More than 40 states host state qualifying tournaments and 2,000 agents give their time by volunteering for the IIAJC. Due to this involvement, it’s no surprise that independent agents and brokers make important connections with the young golfers.
“This is a pro-run tournament and it’s a great introduction to these young people about the agency system,” Paul Damiano, IIAJC state chairman from Rhode Island, said. “These people are going to be our clients, and we want them to recall what a good job we did for them when they played for the IIAJC.” Over the past 36 years, the tournament has helped independent agents form significant relationships with the communities they serve.
“The IIAJC allows independent agents to support the communities that support them as agents. When these kids and parents experience that backing, they are likely to remember the name and consider us for future endeavors,” former IIABA President Bill Hofmann said.
The fact that the IIAJC has developed into such a large-scale event showcases the importance of what independent agents do and the impact they have on others. Dedication, support, service … and a good game of golf; that is the IIAJC.
For more information on the IIAJC, including a list of this year’s winners, visit www.iiajc.com.
Katie Cosgrove is a communications intern for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA).