Virginia’s Gauntlet Golf Club Receives Funding From State’s Tourism Fund

The Virginia Tourism Corporation has given the Gauntlet Golf Club, located in Stafford, $8,804 from the County American Rescue Plan Act Sports Marketing Incentive Program.

The funds are to support the 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course as it hosts the upcoming American Junior Golf Association Tour Stafford Junior All-Star Tournament.

In total, VTC awarded $1.45 million to 83 local and regional event incentives specifically targeted at attracting new meetings and competitive sporting events to spur economic activity and travel across Virginia. These funds are part of the $50 million ARPA appropriation recommended during the August 2021 Special General Assembly Session to assist in the revitalization of Virginia’s tourism industry to overcome the negative impact of COVID-19.

“Sports events and meetings are vital to the tourism industry,” said Rita McClenny, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. “This appropriation is an opportunity to assist these organizations with their continued recovery efforts and help drive increased visitation and revenue generation.”

The tournament week begins with the Stafford Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament on August 14, 2022, sponsored by the Stafford County Economic Development Authority. The Junior-Am fundraising efforts will benefit the Stafford Education Foundation, Stafford Junction, and the AJGA’s Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant.

“Gauntlet Golf Club has been committed to youth golf development for the past 18 years,” said Karman Miller, director of membership services, marketing and events for the Gauntlet Golf Club. “We are thrilled to partner with the Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism and the Stafford EDA to bring the most prestigious junior tour in the country to our course with the Tour Stafford Junior All-Star Tournament. The awarded grant will be used to elevate the event with a giant LED screen used to showcase player stats, leaderboards, local business sponsors and more.”

The EDA continues to seek partners, sponsors, and volunteers to participate in the fundraising tournament. Individuals or teams can sign up to play with a future golf professional and college athlete as each team of three will be paired with a junior athlete playing in the Junior All-Star Tournament later that week.

“The Tour Stafford Junior All-Star Tournament with the AJGA and the Stafford Junior-Am offer a wonderful opportunity to highlight Stafford County and generate funds for some very special local charities,” said John Holden, director of Stafford County Economic Development and Tourism.

Details and information to participate in the Stafford Junior-Am Fundraising Tournament can be found by visiting www.TourStaffordVA.com/Junior-Pro-Am.