18th annual JAGA Scholarship Golf Classic raises $20,500

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The Jacksonville Area Golf Association recently hosted its 18th annual JAGA Scholarship Golf Classic at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and raised $20,500.

The event’s success was assured by the early commitment of title sponsors Nader’s Pest Raiders and the Karl G. Estes Foundation, with a number of other companies and individuals providing critical support through various levels of sponsorship. A few sponsors committed on the eve of the tournament to push the donation total over $20,000.

The Classic returned to its longtime home the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club after the Inn closed for almost one year to make significant renovations to the Classic’s host Ocean Course, where 116 golfers participated in the four-man scramble on Feb. 22. Prizes were awarded to teams based on both gross and net scores.

The money raised will support JAGA’s 2021-2022 Charitable Trust program, which provides annual scholarship support to up to 28 students. The current recipients represent 16 JAGA-member clubs and attend 16 different colleges in and outside Florida. Since the trust was formed in 1974, JAGA has awarded approximately $1.8 million to more than 375 area students who aspire to earn college degrees.

Former JAGA president Adair Roberts (2014-15), a Ponte Vedra Inn & Club member, once again chaired the event. Roberts was joined in the check presentation ceremony after play by JAGA Charitable Trust vice chairman Michael McKenny, who sat in for chairman Wayne St. Clair. The event was launched in 2003 by another former JAGA president, the late Bill Black (1993-94) and carries on in his memory today.