The More Than Golf Invitational, developed in partnership with Old Barnwell Golf Club, Augusta University and Columbia University, will provide an enriching experience that goes beyond the game of golf.
ORLANDO, Fla., April 4, 2024 - The ANNIKA Foundation is announcing an all-new women’s college golf tournament for mid-major programs. The More Than Golf Invitational, co-hosted by Augusta University and Columbia University, will take place March 27-30, 2025, at Old Barnwell (Aiken, S.C.).
The new tournament is designed to provide an exceptional, high-quality golf experience and the opportunity for participants to advance their careers. The individual medalist will receive up to three complimentary starts on the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour throughout the summer.
“The More Than Golf Invitational speaks to the heart of our mission — to develop, empower and advance young women through golf and in life — and we are very excited to kick things off next year at Old Barnwell,” said Annika. “We’re grateful to our partners at Old Barnwell and our host universities, Augusta and Columbia, for helping us make this dream a reality. This tournament will give the student-athletes a chance to test themselves at a premier golf venue, while providing memorable experiences, life, and career advice.”
In alignment with the ANNIKA Foundation’s mission, the More Than Golf Invitational will provide valuable life and career guidance for the student-athletes. Planned programming will include relationship building opportunities through a college-am to be held before the tournament, as well as an executive women’s reception and dinner where players will have the chance to meet and develop relationships with successful women across a variety of industries.
The More Than Golf Invitational will host 12 teams, including those from Augusta and Columbia universities. Each year, 10 conference champions from selected mid-major conferences will receive invitations to participate. The following year, 10 other mid-major conferences will receive invitations to play. The ’24 team champions from the following conferences will receive invitations to play in the inaugural ’25 More Than Golf Invitational: ASUN Conference, Big East Conference, Big Sky Conference, Conference USA, Horizon League, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference, Patriot League, Southern Conference, The Summit League.
"The missions of The Annika Foundation and Old Barnwell synergize perfectly with the More Than Golf Invitational -- creating a once in a lifetime competitive experience that hopefully impacts its participants far beyond the course of play,” said Caroline Haase-Hegg, head coach at Augusta University. “We’re thrilled to co-host this event with Columbia University and create a deserved opportunity for these student athletes to take center stage.”
Amy Weeks, head coach at Columbia University said, "Columbia University women's golf is humbled to join forces with the Annika Foundation and Augusta University to host the More Than Golf Invitational. This event mirrors the Foundation's core values and will open doors for our program to showcase its leadership on a national and global stage. Beyond the tournament itself, this event will offer valuable developmental pathways, empowering student-athletes both on and off the course.”
The tournament course, Old Barnwell Golf Club, is also the site of the ANNIKA Development Program, which launched in 2023. Through the program, the ANNIKA Foundation provides four ambassadors each year with the opportunity to continue their pursuit of a professional golf career. Old Barnwell, which opened in 2023, is a mission-driven club focused on bringing people together through golf.
“We are incredibly honored to work alongside the ANNIKA Foundation, Augusta University and Columbia University to create a showcase for some of the most talented young women in the game of golf,” said Nick Schreiber, founder of Old Barnwell. “We’re equally excited to support the ANNIKA Foundation in their efforts to generate opportunities for these young women that go beyond the game of golf.”
To learn more about the ANNIKA Foundation, visit www.annikafoundation.org.
About Old Barnwell Golf Club
Old Barnwell is a mission-focused private golf club in Aiken, South Carolina. Old Barnwell is creating programs that empower, invite, and celebrate people and communities historically underrepresented in golf. This includes women and folks of color, but also families and new golfers. Old Barnwell’s mission partners include the ANNIKA Foundation, The Evans Scholars Foundation, Voorhees University, and Operation Double Eagle.
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