BRASELTON, GA (Feb. 11, 2026)—Visit Idaho and the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) today announced a five-year partnership designed to showcase Idaho’s scenic beauty, outdoor recreation and welcoming communities to a global audience of junior golfers, families and fans.
“Idaho’s dramatic landscapes and distinct seasons make it easy to pair world-class golf with unforgettable outdoor adventure nearly year-round,” said Jeremy Chase, Tourism & Marketing Administrator for the Idaho Department of Commerce. “Our partnership with the AJGA invites the next generation of golfers and their families to experience Idaho beyond the fairway, charging through whitewater rapids, tackling endless mountain trails, cruising scenic byways and exploring the incredible and diverse golf adventures around the state.”
Beginning with the 2026 season, Visit Idaho will serve as the AJGA’s Proud Partner and Official Destination Partner, leveraging the AJGA’s footprint to highlight Idaho as a premier destination for golf, family travel and outdoor adventure. The agreement represents the first time a state destination marketing organization has partnered with the AJGA at the Proud Partner level, marking a new approach to destination marketing within junior sports.
As part of the partnership, Visit Idaho will activate across the AJGA’s tournament schedule through Visit Idaho Operation Hydration, an on-site initiative focused on player, parent and spectator wellness. Branded hydration stations and shaded hospitality areas will deliver consistent visibility while reinforcing Idaho’s connection to outdoor recreation, health and active lifestyles.
Visit Idaho will also serve as the presenting sponsor of the AJGA Monthly Newsletter, the organization’s most-viewed digital platform, reaching junior golfers and families across the world with branded storytelling, destination features and travel inspiration. Additional exposure will include integrated content across AJGA social media channels, digital giveaways and featured destination storytelling on the AJGA website, extending Idaho’s reach to a highly engaged, travel-minded audience.
Beyond global marketing, the partnership brings elite junior golf directly to Idaho, providing families an opportunity to experience the destination firsthand. Visit Idaho will serve as the title sponsor of an AJGA Open Championship in 2026, followed by two AJGA events hosted annually from 2027 through 2030. The inaugural event, the Visit Idaho Junior Championship, will be held July 6–9, 2026, at BanBury Golf Course in Eagle, Idaho, bringing together 156 competitors.
“This collaboration highlights how destination marketing organizations can connect with junior sports in a meaningful way,” said Patrick Cansfield, AJGA Senior Director of Development. “Visit Idaho’s vision and investment allow us to enhance the on-site experience while introducing families to a destination that aligns perfectly with the values of junior golf and outdoor exploration.”
As the first destination marketing organization to make a long-term, Proud Partner-level commitment to the AJGA, Visit Idaho’s partnership establishes a blueprint for future tourism collaborations while reinforcing Idaho’s position as a destination for premier sporting events, family travel and year-round adventure.
For more information on partnership or volunteer opportunities associated with the Visit Idaho Junior Championship, please contact Jordan Alejandre, Regional Manager, West, at jalejandre@ajga.org. To learn more about AJGA programs, upcoming tournaments, or initiatives, please visit ajga.org or contact Hayden Hanslik (hhanslik@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department.
About Visit Idaho
Visit Idaho invites travelers to explore a land of striking contrasts and endless possibilities. From rugged, forested peaks to wide-open high desert, the Gem State delivers experiences shaped by terrain, season and spirit. Whitewater rafting, championship golf and unforgettable road trips pair with local food, culture and stories rooted in Western heritage. Travel here is guided by respect—for the land, the communities and everyone who shares them—so these places endure for generations. Start your adventure at visitidaho.org and order or download your free Official Idaho Travel Guide.
About the AJGA
The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls, ages 12-19) of more than 10,500 members from 50 states and 60 international countries and territories. Through initiatives like the Liberty National ACE Grant, a financial assistance program, and Leadership Links, a service-oriented platform that teaches juniors charitable-giving skills, the AJGA fosters the growth of golf’s next generation.
TaylorMade and Rolex are the AJGA’s Global Partners, supporting the AJGA for more than 60 years combined. TaylorMade has served as the Official Ball of the AJGA since 2016. Rolex, in its fourth decade of AJGA sponsorship, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004 and assumed the Global Partner position in 2026. adidas has been with the AJGA for many years and became a Premier Partner in 2026.
AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 1,000 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda, Nelly Korda, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang.