The Nike Golf Junior All-Star Series has included a stop in Ames for the American Junior Golf Association All-Star Classic June 2—5.

“The American Junior Golf Association is the largest organization for junior golfers ages 13—18 who compete nationally and get the opportunity to meet with collegiate coaches and earn scholarships though competitive golf,” said Dave Buer, manager of media relations for the junior golf association.

The tournament in Ames is set for easy travel for many golfers from the Midwest who compete in the junior golf association throughout the summer.

“This marks the first tournament [for our organization] in Iowa since the John Deere Classic Junior Championship last summer,” Buer said. The John Deere Classic Junior Championship starred Jennie Arseneault of Grinnell, who will also be attending this tournament at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames.

“This tournament figures to be a great atmosphere with both Arseneault and the emergence of Philip Francis of Scottsdale, Arizona,” Buer said.

“Francis won the Aaron Baddeley World Junior Championship held in January in Fiji, enabling him to become the first 14-year-old to be invited to play in the Australian Open this November.”

Other Iowa natives in the tournament include Joseph Bethel from Ankeny, Lucas Carlson from Des Moines, Jed Dickerson from Hampton and Justin Weber from Bernard.

“It’s exciting to see such a diverse field for this Nike Golf Junior All-star event,” said Gus Montano, director of education for the association. “These players, literally coming from all over, are in for a great experience in Ames.”

The junior golf association is a non-profit organization with many alumni that play for either the PGA or the LPGA and have gathered over 160 tour victories. Such members include Tiger Woods, David Duval, Laura Diaz and Cristie Kerr.

The American Junior Golf Association, which hosts 4—5 tournaments a week all over the country is set to open a practice round June 2 start on the Veenker Memorial Golf Course. The tournament rounds will be held June 3—5 with a 7:30 a.m. tee time off hole number one.