2011 Archived News

(10/04/11)
2012 PEPSI TITAN LITTLE PEOPLE’S SET

Some of the finest young golfers from around the world will convene in Quincy, Illinois, in June of 2012 for the 39th annual Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships.

In the past, Little People’s has hosted players from every State, as well as from some 30 different foreign countries.

The championships, for boys and girls ages 3 through 17, will be played June 18-20 at the Knights of Columbus Par-3 Course and Westview Golf Course in Quincy.  The Collegiate Division for men and women 18 through 21 will be played at the Harry Mussatto (Western Illinois University) Golf Course in Macomb, IL.

This year Little People’s welcomes Titan International as a co-title sponsor of the championships, along with Refreshment Services Pepsi, which has been the title sponsor for the past 38 years.

Boys and girls ages 3 through 7 will compete at the KC Par-3 course, while boys and girls 8 through 17 will compete over the 27-hole Westview layout. Practice round for all players is Monday, June 18, with competition on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This year, boys 14-15 and 16-17 will compete at Westview, playing the same yardage and par, which means that they will be considered as ‘one group’ for some of the national ranking purposes, a real advantage for both the tournament and the players.  This also means that the entry fee for the 16-17 boys will be reduced from $215 to $175.

The tournament will be preceded on Sunday, June 17, by the optional Pepsi Titan Parent-Child event at Westview.  The optional Pepsi Titan International Mixed Team events will be played on Thursday, June 21, at Westview.  The annual Family Celebration Picnic will be held following play on Monday, June 18, on the KC grounds.

“We are extremely pleased that Titan International has joined Refreshment Services Pepsi as a co-title sponsor of the Little People’s Championships,” stated Nan Ryan, Executive Director of the event.  “We anticipate a stellar field of players coming to Quincy for the 39th annual tournament.

“We are also delighted that the 16-17 boys will be joining the other players at the 27-hole Westview Golf Course, providing not only a reduced entry fee for them, but allowing more possibilities for the 14-15 and 16-17 boys to be nationally ranked.

More information on the Pepsi Titan Little Peoples and the Pepsi Titan LP Collegiate Golf Championships, are available on this website, or contact Ryan at 970-586-4242.  Entry forms for the 2012 championships will be available on the website on February 1, 2012.


(08/05/11)
FRYXELL AND AMBROSE ARE GRAND CHAMPION WINNERS

Maggie Ambrose of Springfield, IL, and Kee-Socrates Fryxell of Davenport, IA, are the Grand Champion winners of the Little People’s/Country Youth Classic  trophies for 2011.

The trophies are given to the girl and boy who compete in the 16-17 divisions of both Pepsi Titan Little People’s in Quincy and the Country Youth Classic in Bloomington, IL.

“We are delighted that these two young people have won these awards,” said Nan Ryan, Executive Director of Pepsi Titan Little People’s.

Maggie shot 165 and 166 for a combined 331 total, edging out her nearest competitor Nicole Feierberg of Highland Park, IL, by six shots.

Fryxell shot 60-159–319 to take top honors by three shots over Kyle Osborn of Galesburg, IL.

The awards were presented following play at the Country Youth Classic.  The same awards will be presented in 2012.


(07/06/11)
The Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships is pleased to announce the winner of the George T. Berry Sportsmanship Award for Girls for 2011.

picThe winner this year is Britta Snyder, age 9, from Ames, IA. Britta is the daughter of Chad and Lisa Snyder, both former collegiate golfers.

Britta was nominated by two of her playing partners, Gwendolyn Laub of Overland Park, KS, and Kylah Gore of Mexico, MO, both 9 years old and regular competitors in Little People’s.

Britta was named by Gwendolyn “because she always made me feel better when I was sad.  She was kind and never got mad and/or sad”.

“I nominated Britta Snyder because she always cheered you on,” said Kylah, who won the Best Letter competition in 2010.


(06/20/11)
TITAN JOINS PEPSI AS CO-TITLE SPONSOR

(Quincy, IL)……The Little People’s Golf Championships Association is pleased to announce the addition of Titan International, Inc. of Quincy, Illinois, as a Co-Title Sponsor with Refreshment Services Pepsi of its Little People’s Golf Championships and Collegiate Golf Championships.

Refreshment Services Pepsi, the local Pepsi distributor, has been the primary and title sponsor of the tournament since its inception in 1974.

“Pepsi has been a wonderful sponsor for 38 years, and we deeply appreciate all that organization has done to support Little People’s and young golfers,” said Nan Ryan, Little People’s Executive Director.

“Titan’s involvement with this international junior golf event will be a great boost to the tournament,” added Ryan.  “The relationship between Pepsi and Titan will make it possible for us to offer more services to the players, and to attract more golfers to Quincy from all over the world.”

Titan sought out sponsorship opportunities after an interview with Ryan aired on the local news stating it was possible the tournament would not return to Quincy after 2011.

“When we saw there was a threat that the tournament might have to leave the community, we couldn’t let it happen.  Local businesses profit from the tournament and the young people that participate in the event do as well,” Morry Taylor, Titan’s CEO/Chairman of the Board, commented. 

“Several of the girls we see at our LPGA event, the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge, have grown up playing in the Little People’s Golf Championships,” added Taylor.  “These are wonderful professionals that Little People’s has helped develop and Quincy is lucky to be a part of that.  Titan is proud to come alongside Pepsi to keep this tournament in Quincy where it belongs.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Titan International on board as our Co-Title Sponsor starting with the 2012 Little People’s,” stated Roy Nelson, General Manager of Refreshment Services Pepsi.

“It will help assure that Quincy remains the home for this wonderful event for many years to come.  Pepsi Little People’s has given our community great exposure to young golfers and their parents from around the globe, and has done much to help the economy of the City.”

Beginning immediately after the close of the 2011 event, the tournament will become the Pepsi Titan Little People’s Golf Championships and the Pepsi Titan LP Collegiate Golf Championships.

“We are so delighted to have Titan International become a part of this international junior golf tournament that draws player from near and far,” stated Ryan.  “I feel that Pepsi and Titan will be a good team that stands behind the future of golf and young golfers, not only in Quincy, but throughout the world.”


(06/13/11)
TRI-STATE JUNIOR TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE SET

A five-event schedule has been set for the Tri-State Junior Golf Association for 2011.

The schedule starts with a tournament on Monday, June 27, at Westview Golf Course, followed by a July 11 tournament at Norwoods Golf Course in Hannibal, MO

Arrowhead Heights Golf Course in Camp Point, IL, is the next event on July 18, followed by an event at Rolling Greens Golf Course in Mt. Sterling, IL.

The TSJGA Championship (for 9 years and older) wraps up the season at a new TSJGA venue, Quincy Country Club in Quincy, IL.  This is the first time any TSJGA event has been held on this beautiful 18-hole layout.

TSJGA is offering its players the opportunity to win a Scholarship to participate in the 2012 Pepsi Little  People’s Golf Championships — an entry-free chance to compete against golfers from around the globe right on your home courses.  Any player who posts a score in each of the five tournaments on the 2011 schedule will have their names put into a drawing for a free entry into the 2012 Little People’s.  A name in each division will be drawn.

Points will be awarded for play in each division in each of the TSJGA events, with the top point winner in each division receiving a trophy.  Every player who competes in all five events will be given a logoed polo shirt.


(06/03/11)
WORLDWIDE PUBLICITY

The March 2011 issue of Golf Digest Malaysia, features Little People’s alum Rory McIlroy on the cover, with inside stories about Wolfgang Glawe, the 7-year-old from Germany who won the 6-7 division at Little People’s last year, and another story about LP alum Alexis Thompson.

Rory, now playing on the PGA and European Tours, made headlines in this year’s Masters tournament, leading the event for 63 holes.  Rory, from Northern Ireland, played Little People’s as a 12 and 13-year-old and finished third in his division in 2002.

Wolfgang, who was born in Bangkok, Thailand, came to Little People’s from Friedrichstal, Germany, and is now living in Malaysia, tied the two-round (18 hole) record in his division with 29-28–57.  He also became the first European winner in Little People’s history when he won by eight strokes ahead of his nearest two competitors.

According to his father, Ulrich, “He was ‘born’ into golf.  To him, golf is always a game which he plays with passion and enthusiasm. He plays to win.  Period.”

Wolfgang is competing in the USKG European Championships in Gullane, Scotland, in the Boys 8 Year division, and hopes to return to Little People’s in 2012.


(05/24/11)
GIFT CERTIFICATES INCREASED FOR COLLEGIATE DIVISION

Due to the generosity of the Macomb Convention Bureau, we have been able to increase the amounts given in gift certificates in the Pepsi LP Collegiate Divisions.

The winner is both the men’s and women’s collegiate divisions will receive a gift certificate from the WIU Golf Shop in the amount of $250.  Second places will each receive a gift certificate for $200, while third places will each receive $150. 

We deeply appreciate this very kind donation for the men and women playing in the Pepsi LP Collegiate Golf Championships.  Play will be June 20-22 at the Harry Mussato (Western Illinois University) Golf Course in Macomb, IL.


(04/15/11)
GRAND CHAMPION AWARDS FOR 7-B AND 7-G WINNERS IN PEPSI LITTLE PEOPLE’S AND COUNTRY YOUTH CLASSIC

Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships and the COUNTRY Youth Classic are partnering to award a Grand Champion in the 7-B and 7-G divisions, respectively, determined by the lowest combined score in both events.

Pepsi Little People’s got its start in 1974 in Quincy, while the first COUNTRY Youth Classic was held in 2002 in Bloomington-Normal.

The tournaments have worked together throughout the years to encourage junior golf.

index_clip_image004b“Presenting these Grand Champion boy and girl awards will help to cement the relationship between the two organizations” stated Nan Ryan, Founder and Executive Director of PLP.

index_clip_image002b“We are very excited to partner with the Pepsi Little People’s and to present this award to two outstanding young golfers.  This is just one more benefit to participating in two of the best youth golf tournaments around,” added Matt Hawkins, Sports Marketing Manager of the Bloomington-Normal Area Sports Commission, which owns and operates the CYC.

The award will be given in each of the 16-17 age divisions to the player who has the lowest combined score in Pepsi Little People’s and the COUNTRY Youth Classic.  Presentation of the awards will be made immediately following play in the 7-B and 7-G divisions in Bloomington-Normal.

Pepsi Little People’s will be played June 20-22, and the COUNTRY Youth Classic will follow the next week on June 27-29.

For further information on the tournaments, go to www.littlepeoplesgolf.com, or www.countryyouthclassic.com


(04/12/2011)
FUN DAY AT THE RINK

Scotties Fun Spot has offered a Father’s Day Special on Sunday, June 19, to all Pepsi Little People’s contestants.  Starting at 11 am, the family can participate in many activities at this local roller skating rink.  Dads are FREE, and there is fun for all ages, with major attractions Laser Tag, Ballocity and Roller Skating.  You can have pictures taken, couples skate and partner limbo.

Scotties is located at 8000 Broadway in Quincy, one mile east of Lowe’s.  Check out all the fun atwww.scottiesfunspot.com.


(03/30/11)
JOHN HOWERTON PASSES AWAY

John-HowertonIt is with great sadness that I tell you of the passing of our good friend, John Howerton.  

John was a Director on the Pepsi Little People’s Board, served as Chair of the Transportation Committee, and was a great ambassador for Little People’s.  John loved life, loved golf, and had a great spirit for giving of himself.  He volunteered with many community organizations, including The First Tee of Great River, Little People’s, the Suicide Prevention Hotline and the Neighborhood Association.

A 10-year cancer survivor, John enjoyed his high school class reunions, playing bridge, and watching his six grandchildren’s numerous activities.  He is survived by his wife, Mary, who was always present at the Transportation Desk during Little People’s, three children, a brother, and many loving nieces and nephews.

As a tribute to John, the Little People’s Sportsmanship Award for Boys has been named the ‘John Howerton Sportsmanship Award for Boys’.  In addition, the ‘John Howerton “Spirit of Giving” Award’, in honor of John’s giving spirit, has been established by the Little People’s Board.  More information on this can be found in the following story.

John was a good friend to us all, and will be greatly missed.  Our condolences go out to his entire family.

To All Little People’s Parents:

We have just established a new Award in memory of John Howerton, a Little People’s Board member and Chair of our Transportation Committee, who passed away unexpectedly on March 23, 2011, following a routine surgery.

John was a great ambassador for Little People’s, and established many friendships with our players and their families.  We are therefore establishing the John Howerton ‘Spirit of Giving’ Award in memory of John’s giving spirit.

If you have a story of unselfish giving about your son or daughter or any other player that happened in the last two years, and have some documentation of this (newspaper article, internet article, video, etc.), please let us know.

You can email, fax or mail the story and documentation to Nan Ryan at jrgolfer@littlepeoplesgolf.com, fax to 970-586-3116 or mail to 1600 Wapiti Circle #8, Estes Park, CO 80516.  We need to have this no later than Monday, June 6. To receive this award, the player must be a contestant in the 2011 Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships.

The Award will be presented at the Picnic on Monday night, June 20.

Thanks for your prompt attention to this.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.


(02/16/11)
LP Collegiate Golf Championships and Golf Coaches Association of America are Partnering

GCAAWe are pleased to announce that the Pepsi LP Collegiate Golf Championships and Golf Coaches Association of America ( GCAA )  will be partnering  in the future to promote the Pepsi LP Collegiate Golf Championships and Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships to its membership.

Additionally,  through its “Friends of the Association” program, it will provide all of our participants, parents, and friends a complimentary copy of The College Golf Connection. This 52 week per year digital newsletter is distributed by the GCAA and focuses on College Golf News and Junior Golf, the next generation. The CGC is distributed each Thursday.  Please feel free to forward  the CGC to your friends.