A good anniversary party involves a lot of
people. The American Junior Golf Association’s
Aaron’s/Bob Estes Abilene Junior will have just
that, as 144 juniors and their families will travel
to Abilene Country Club in Abilene, Tex., Monday
through Thursday, to celebrate the tournament’s
30th anniversary.
The Fairway Oaks Junior Classic, as it was
known at the time of its inception, was one of 10
tournaments on the American Junior Golf Associ-
ation schedule in 1981. Thirty years later, as one
of the AJGA’s 85 tournaments in 2010, Abilene’s
event remains as the third-longest running and
has provided more than 3,500 playing opportuni-
ties through the years.
PGA Tour professional Bob Estes, an Abilene
native, has been the tournament’s title sponsor
since 2006. Estes’ junior career included four
appearances in his hometown’s tournament
and a win at the 1984 AJGA Oklahoma Classic.
Through all of his success, however, he still
stands beside the tournament that reminds him
of his junior golf days.
“It’s an honor [to be the title sponsor],” Estes
said in an interview with the Abilene Reporter
News. “The AJGA was a big part of my junior golf
career. I’m just glad to have a chance to give back
in this way.”
A precedent of excellence was established
early on, as the first two tournaments (1981 and
1982) were won by current PGA Tour player Scott
Verplank. Juniors playing the 2010 Abilene Junior
will join an impressive list of the tournament’s
alumni. Other notable past participants include
Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard and
David Duval, who have combined for 78 wins on
the PGA Tour and seven major championships.
LPGA Tour players Kelli Kuehne, Brittany Lang
and Paula Creamer have also participated.
Guy Bailey has been the tournament chair-
man for four years. He has worked with Estes and
appreciates the work that has gone into making
the tournament a long-standing tradition on the
AJGA schedule.
“It’s exciting to have him involved,” Bailey said.
“His parents, Tommy and Bobbie, are also really
big supporters of junior golf. The Estes family re-
ally makes this thing run.”
With Estes as the leading example, the local
community has banded together to support the
tournament. Each year, local supporters sign up
to play in the tournament’s Junior-Am Fund-
raising Tournament, which raises money for local
junior golf organizations. Additionally, Abilene
residents volunteer their time to help the tourna-
ment run smoothly.
Out of the 144 participants in the 2010
tournament, two are Abilene natives – Trey
Bearden and Cory
Churchman. Bearden
is excited to play in
Estes’ tournament
for the second year,
having last competed
in 2008.
“It’s really cool to
see a professional
come out of Abilene,”
Bearden said. “I’m ex-
cited to play this event
at a course I know well
in front of my friends
and family.” l
Trey Bearden will be a hometown favorite at this
week’s Aaron’s/Bob Estes Abilene Junior.
• Impact resistant top with internal
PVC plate protects clubs
• Deluxe in-line skate wheels
provide smooth rolling action
• Oversized shoe/garment pocket
• Two new external accessory pockets
• Lockable, full wrap-around
main zipper
• Fits a 48" driver and up to
a 10" cart bag
