LEMONT, Ill. – The Illinois Junior Golf Association and its staff are sad to announce that Director of Youth Programming, Brad Slocum, will be leaving the IJGA and his last day will be Tuesday, February 14th. Brad will be moving onto the role of Director of Tournament Operations for the Illinois PGA immediately following his departure from the IJGA.
Brad spent six seasons with the IJGA, running the day to day operations specific to the Youth Development Program, while also assisting the other programs and major championships throughout the tournament calendar. “It saddens me to be leaving such a great organization where I have met so many great people and built so many great relationships, but I am looking forward to the new opportunities in front of me at the Illinois PGA” said Slocum.
In his tenure, the Youth Development Program has grown to a schedule of over 60 events, including 11 nationally recognized events. While the Youth Development Program primarily administers tournaments for the 8-13 year old divisions, an emphasis is also placed on educating its members on the rules of golf, and proper etiquette while at events.
“While Brad’s departure is certainly a blow to our operation, I am very excited for the opportunities in front of him as the Director of Tournament Operations for the Illinois PGA” said Jordan Abdel-Haq, Executive Director of the IJGA.
While the IJGA staff and membership will undoubtedly miss Brad, we are excited to introduce Ben Suchomski as the new Manager of Youth Development Program. Ben was previously the Coordinator of Programming for the IJGA in 2016, in addition to spending a season with the IJGA as a Tournament Coordinator Intern in 2014. “While it is very tough to see a friend and mentor leave, I am excited for Brad as he moves into a great role with the IPGA. I am incredibly excited to transition into my new role and we are looking forward to a great 2017 season” said Suchomski.
The Illinois Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing playing opportunities for its members ages 8-18, and serving as a junior golf informational clearinghouse. During the 2017 season, the IJGA will provide and manage over 145 separate events throughout the state of Illinois. These include one day 9-hole and 18-hole tournaments, and 36-hole and 54-hole nationally recognized championships.
