“After a national search with candidates from across the country and golf industry, it was clear that Jeremy was the best individual to lead our organization forward into the future”, stated Walker Grant, Alabama Golf Association President. “His institutional knowledge, established relationships with key stakeholders, respect from his peers and our board of directors, along with an excellent work ethic while developing our junior golf program and foundation activities sets our course for greater success.”
“The Southern Golf Association and Alabama Golf Association have a long-standing and unique relationship where Jeremy’s experience working inside both organizations will keep the continuity intact while understanding the moving parts involved to conduct elite amateur championships”, noted Jimmy Riddle, Southern Golf Association President. “We look forward to Jeremy’s leadership and supporting the transition into his new role”.
Gardner, a 33-year-old Denver, Colorado native, graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver (Colorado) in 2013 with a degree in Sport Management and Finance. During college, Gardner gained his first experience in golf administration as a Tournament Operations intern with the Colorado Golf Association. Following graduation, he served as a USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern with the Southern Nevada Golf Association and joined the junior golf department at the Southern California Golf Association as a program coordinator in fall 2014. In September 2015, he returned to the Southern Nevada Golf Association as a Manager of Competitions. In March 2017, he was named the Manager of Junior Golf for the Alabama Golf Association and elevated to Director in 2019.
Under Gardner’s oversight, he built the AGA’s junior golf program that includes elevated state junior championships for boys and girls, new events such as the State 13 & Under and Parent-Child Championships, launched the Junior Golf Alabama initiative, managed the rollout of Youth on Course Alabama, led fundraising efforts for the Alabama Golf Foundation, developed Alabama Junior Golf Rankings, established Alabama Junior Players of the Year awards, serves as the point of contact amongst the various junior golf organizations in the state and as the official in charge for all AGA junior championships, state high school championships and select USGA qualifiers.
“I want to thank the Executive Search Committee led by Walker Grant for entrusting me with the opportunity and responsibility of leading two prestigious organizations such as the Alabama Golf Association and Southern Golf Association,” Gardner said. “I am looking forward to continuing to work with our staff, Board of Directors and member clubs to build on the tremendous momentum that has been established under Andy Priest’s leadership while continuing to elevate and expand our services for our members.”
Current AGA and SGA Executive Director, Andy Priest, is leaving his post in November to join the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) as its Executive Director beginning in January 2025 after a nine year tenure in Alabama.
“I am incredibly proud of Jeremy and excited for both organizations that he was selected to lead them into the future,” said Andy Priest. “He has a deep understanding of the high standards that we built here together as a team and look forward to watching him take the AGA and SGA to new heights.”
The AGA and SGA expresses our collective appreciation to the search committee members that dedicated their time and expertise to the process. Search committee members included Walker Grant (AGA President), Joey Dzwonkowski (AGA Vice President), Susan West (AGA Secretary), Will Swift (AGA Executive Committee), Steve Hudson (AGA Past President), Jimmy Riddle (SGA President) and Hank Perkins (SGA Past President).
About the Alabama Golf Association (AGA)
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of 120 member clubs represented by nearly 30,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service. A full-time professional staff of seven individuals handles day-to-day activities.
Based in Hoover, the AGA is the USGA's Allied Golf Association in Alabama conducting national championship qualifying, administering the World Handicap System including the GHIN Handicap service, course & slope rating, and Rules of Golf & Handicapping education. The AGA annually conducts 24 championships; team match competitions for men, women, junior and seniors; AHSAA high school golf championship and the SEC Men's Golf Championship. The AGA manages the Junior Golf Alabama program that is a joint venture between the AGA and Alabama-NW Florida PGA Section.
In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Scholarship Fund through the Alabama Golf Foundation that is dedicated to assisting young golfers in higher education. Additionally, the Alabama Golf Foundation supports the Youth on Course Alabama program providing facility access to junior golfers and provides funding for the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. In 2016, the AGA earned the Gold Tee Award for “Outstanding Tournament Operations – Small Association” by the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the historic Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the SGA Board of Directors. AGA staff also administers day-to-day operations of the Elite Amateur Golf Series.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
About the Southern Golf Association (SGA)
The Southern Golf Association, founded in 1902, is one of the oldest golf organizations and serves member clubs over a 15-state area. Recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Regional Golf Associations as one of the leaders in the promotion of Amateur Golf, SGA championships are selected for inclusion as criteria for selecting players for USGA and State team competitions. Through the years, SGA Champions have been chosen to represent various state golf associations in selected team competitions, including the Walker Cup and World Amateur. The SGA is annual host to the Southern Junior Championship as well as the storied Southern Amateur Championship.
The SGA is one of the founding organizations of the Elite Amateur Golf Series (EAGS), launching in 2022 and is governed by a Board of Directors of up to 45 members that represent the association's geographic footprint. Six officers and the staff from the Alabama Golf Association oversee the day-to-day operations.
For more information about the Southern Golf Association, visit www.southerngolf.org.
The Southern Golf Association, founded in 1902, is one of the oldest golf organizations and serves member clubs over a 15-state area. Recognized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Regional Golf Associations as one of the leaders in the promotion of Amateur Golf, SGA championships are selected for inclusion as criteria for selecting players for USGA and State team competitions. Through the years, SGA Champions have been chosen to represent various state golf associations in selected team competitions, including the Walker Cup and World Amateur. The SGA is annual host to the Southern Junior Championship as well as the storied Southern Amateur Championship.
The SGA is one of the founding organizations of the Elite Amateur Golf Series (EAGS), launching in 2022 and is governed by a Board of Directors of up to 45 members that represent the association's geographic footprint. Six officers and the staff from the Alabama Golf Association oversee the day-to-day operations.
For more information about the Southern Golf Association, visit www.southerngolf.org.
Media Contact:
Mikayla King
Director of Media, Marketing & Communications
Alabama Golf Association
205-979-1234
mikayla@alabamagolf.org
