Sage Valley to start exclusive tournament

GRANITEVILLE --- Weldon Wyatt has seen first-hand the benefits and opportunities golf can provide for young people.

His son, Tom, was a successful junior golfer who went on to play at the collegiate level, and is now president of Sage Valley Golf Club.

Now, the Wyatts are providing an opportunity for youth from around the world with the creation of a new golf tournament at their private club in Aiken County.

The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club, presented by Electrolux, will begin in the spring of 2011.

The top 50 junior boys players from around the world, as well as the South Carolina and Georgia junior golf champions, will be invited to play.

"We felt the way to promote the image of golf was to create a tournament that would be recognized around the world," Weldon Wyatt said. "We felt inviting the top 50 juniors in the world would probably do that.

"We're all about trying to promote junior golf, we think that's the future of golf."

The announcement was made in the dining room of Sage Valley before the boards of The First Tee chapters in Aiken and Augusta and other invited guests. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to The First Tee, which promotes character development for young people through golf.

"I've watched this ever since Tom was about 7. I believe golf has more to do with character of making good citizens than any game I know of," Weldon Wyatt said. "The reason for that is the self-discipline, you are your own umpire, and you have to make your own decisions. When you've got good guidelines to go by, I think that makes you a better citizen."

The tournament will provide round-trip transportation, housing, meals and caddies for all participants.

A committee will be formed to determine which ranking system will be used.

"We want players to feel like this is their major," Tom Wyatt said. "We look forward to hosting this event for many years to come."

Electrolux, which has its North American headquarters in Augusta, has committed to sponsor the event for three years.

Although the company is associated with home products, Mark Chambers, of Electrolux, said his company and The First Tee promote similar values.

"The possibilities for kids are what struck me and struck our company about this opportunity," he said.

Reach John Boyette at (706) 823-3337 or john.boyette@augustachronicle.com.