PGA pro golfer Adam Scott knows the importance golf can make in a person’s life.
This is the second year of the UNIQLO/Adam Scott Junior Championship for the American Junior Golf Association.
“We’ve come to Florida this year for the sunshine,” the 42-year-old Australian-born Scott said. “This is one of the special things I get to do as a professional golfer.
“Hopefully, this week we inspired some kids to continue to pursue the game of golf to the professional level, but at the very least stay in the game and use it as a life skill going forward,” said Scott, who has earned over $60 million in earnings. “Over my time in the sport, golf has provided so many great opportunities — and this is true at any level of the game for so many people — so I really encourage the kids to keep golf in their lives.”
Scott, a Global Ambassador for apparel retailer UNIQLO who recently launched the Adam Scott Collection on June 12, hosted the Junior Championship at Hammock Creek Golf Club in Palm City. He also gave a clinic for the participants at the event and posed for photos with them.
Wellington’s Jason Shwartz took top honors in the boys’ tournament as he shot a 14-under Par, 202 for the three-day event. Yuna Araki (Tamana, Japan) wound up first for the girls as she fired a 13-under score of 203.
Boca Raton’s Kayla Bryant, who finished tied for ninth after shooting a 4-over par, 220 for the tourney, said it was a great event.
“The course was in great shape, and I really enjoyed, and I was grateful to be here,” she said. “I almost made a hole-in-one yesterday. I have never had one before so that was interesting. I was on hole No. 8. It hit the pin and ricocheted like 7 feet.”
She said she also benefited from the clinic that Scott did for the players.
“Adam Scott gave a clinic and gave us advice on our swings and mental advice,” said Bryant, a member of the FAU High girls’ varsity golf team. “He emphasized just staying in the moment and really focusing on being present when you are playing.”
Delray Beach’s Gabriella Albert wound up in a tie for seventh with a 3-over par, 219.
“I am very excited; this is my first AJGA event so it’s a very big deal for me,” said Albert, a member of the St. Andrew’s girls’ golf team. “The AJGA and UNIQLO ran a great tournament, and I have really enjoyed it.”
Scott said UNIQLO wanted to create an initiative with him and the game of golf, so they opted to host a tournament.
“The easy thing for me is junior golf,” he said. “I have an event in Australia that I have run for quite a few years now. To do one now in the U.S. is a little different, and partnering with the AJGA is a great idea.
“It is a proven system for great junior tournaments in the U.S. if you look at how long it has been happening,” Scott said. “All my peers on tour have played through the AJGA, and it continues to produce great results, offering these great opportunities. This has been a great partnership. It is early days for us, but I am certainly enjoying the experience and hopefully a lot more good things to come.”
He said he hopes players are inspired and motivated by playing in events like this one.
“Well, a couple of kids are going to be happy with their performance because they are going to win, and the others are going to hopefully learn something from the experience,” Scott said. “Whether they were close to winning or had the worst rounds of golf ever, there is something to take away.
“Some will get the chance to come back next year and try again, but I really feel like these kinds of events were just inspiring when I look back at my experience,” he said. “To be able to see and connect with someone who’s done it at a high level — hitting a few balls, mixing with them on the chipping green or receiving even one or two words of wisdom — keeps them really motivated and inspired to keep going with the game.”
What led to creating the latest collection with UNIQLO, designed by Lucas Ossendrijver? He started wearing the clothing line right before winning the 2013 Masters and wound up winning the tournament.
“I’ve worked with UNIQLO a lot over the past 10 years, especially around the Major Championships to put in that extra effort and stand out on the golf course,” Scott said. “This year, working with the team and Lucas Ossendrijver was a really great opportunity to incorporate my own personal style on the course.”
