What is the Big "I"?
The Trusted Choice® Big “I” National Championship is the nation’s largest junior stroke-play golf tournament and one of the premier junior golf events. The event, organized by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (The Big “I”), attracts elite junior golfers from throughout the United States.
The goal of the Big "I" is to provide the youth of America an opportunity to channel their energies into a positive experience, and to compete in a sportsmanlike atmosphere through an event that culminates in a true national championship. Each summer more than 3,000 junior boys and girls nationally vie to earn a place in the finals—a 72-hole, stroke-play tournament. More than 300 state and local qualifying events every year determine a field of 168 young men and women for the National Championship.
Boys and girls ages 13–18 are eligible to participate, have not reached their 19th birthday prior to end of the Championship, and have not begun college. National exemptions also are awarded to top-rated junior golfers and age-eligible finalists from the 2008 Championship.
Informally known as The Big "I", this event began in 1969 as a community service project devised by Independent Insurance Agents. Each year, more than 2,000 agents help organize and administer the qualifying tournaments that lead to the national finals. Independent agents donate valuable time, effort, and in many cases, personal resources to conduct successful local events.
The Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship has proven to be a critical test for many of today’s golf professionals. PGA and LPGA fields include numerous past champions and participants.
Notable Past Participants
Boys
Billy Andrade, Phil Mickelson, Notah Begay III, Brett Quigley, Bobby Clampett, Chris Smith, David Duval, Craig Stadler, David Gossett, Bob Tway, Charles Howell III, Tiger Woods, Justin Leonard, and Fuzzy Zoeller
Girls
Kellee Booth, Candie Kung, Cristie Kerr, and Grace Park