The American Junior Golf Association announced a four-year extension with Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman to continue hosting two of its annual junior golf events through 2029.
The agreement secures the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star, set for June 22-24, and the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), scheduled for June 24-26. As part of the new agreement, the 1898 Foundation has signed on as title sponsor for both events from 2026 to 2029.
The 1898 Foundation, based in Youngstown, supports the advancement and promotion of amateur golf and related sporting activities, the preservation of historic designated golf courses and facilities in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the preservation of The Youngstown Country Club historic district. Its sponsorship strengthens the long-term viability of these two AJGA events and reinforces the foundation’s commitment to growing the game.
“The 1898 Foundation is pleased to partner with the AJGA to support the annual golf tournament held at the historic Mill Creek Park Golf Course,” said Reid Schmutz, Director of the 1898 Foundation. “This sponsorship supports the advancement of the game of golf for young people at our local golf course while providing significant economic impact for our region.”
Mill Creek Golf Course has hosted AJGA events for the past 10 years and has become one of the longest-running tournament partners in the Midwest. Mill Creek first welcomed the AJGA in 2015 and has since hosted multiple Junior All-Star and ICL Academy Preview Series events, drawing players from across the country each summer. The venue’s consistency, course setup and strong community involvement have helped establish Mill Creek as a staple on the AJGA schedule.
Mill Creek has played an important role in the development of young golfers, hosting fields that have included future college standouts and AJGA award winners. Notably, Maxwell Moldovan won the Junior All-Star event in both 2016 and 2017. He later earned 2019 Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors and competed for four years at Ohio State, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. Moldovan turned professional in 2024 and has competed in five PGA TOUR events. Vanessa Borovilos, the 2020 champion, also went on to have an accomplished junior career. The current Texas A&M sophomore was a three-time Rolex Junior All-American and finished as the No. 3 ranked junior golfer and No. 1 player in Canada in the Class of 2024.
“We’re excited to have hosted the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) at Mill Creek for the past ten years,” Brian Tolnar, PGA Director of Golf & Recreation for Mill Creek MetroParks said. “This new 4-year partnership with the 1898 Foundation as the title sponsor will ensure the event stays in our region of the country and here in the Mahoning Valley through 2029. The economic impact for overnight stays, dining, retail spending and exploration of the weeklong event has exceeded the 3 million dollar mark for our local community as well as $80,000 toward local charities in our community. We cannot thank the 1898 Foundation and their Board of Directors enough for their long-term commitment to junior golf at Mill Creek Golf Course.”
The Junior All-Star Series is designed for players ages 12–15 who are ready to test their games on a national stage, while the ICL Academy Preview Series gives emerging golfers a chance to gain valuable experience in their first AJGA events. Together, the two tournaments at Mill Creek provide an early-season opportunity for young players to compete, learn and build confidence as they progress in their junior golf journeys. The multi-year extension keeps Mill Creek Golf Course as one of the AJGA’s most consistent Midwest hosts and ensures the region will continue to welcome junior golfers and their families for years to come.
For more information on the 1898 Foundation Junior All-Star or the 1898 Foundation Preview presented by ICL Academy (Ages 12-15), please visit ajga.org or contact Ryan Flanagan (rflanagan@ajga.org) in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department.
