The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
Breaking News
ORLANDO, Fla. (January 29, 2009) – Don Ochsenreiter has been named President of the ANNIKA Foundation, Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam’s philanthropic organization. Ochsenreiter joins the Foundation with a wealth of business experience, including more than 14 years in the golf industry as President & CEO of Burton Golf. He also served on the Board of Governors of the National Golf Foundation and was actively involved with several key industry growth initiatives, including Golf 20/20 and the First Tee’s National School Program.
“I am very pleased to have Don on board as our President,” said Annika. “We have only scratched the surface in terms of our outreach and we’ll look to Don to help us develop and implement programs that will inspire children to follow their dreams and live healthier lives for many years to come.”
As president of the Foundation, Ochsenreiter, 51, will be responsible for the successful leadership, management and growth of the organization as well as the consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives. He will provide leadership and management of Foundation programs, including the ANNIKA Invitational, a junior golf tournament Annika hosts in partnership with the American Junior Golf Association; the ANNIKA Cup, a match-play tournament Annika hosts in Sweden for top juniors; the collegiate golf experience, a program that shows young Swedish golfers the opportunities to play collegiate golf in America; and the Foundation’s college scholarship programs.
Overview
Throughout her career, Annika has been dedicated to sharing her passion for the game of golf and the importance of leading a healthy active lifestyle. Annika attributes much of her success to the values that sports and physical fitness participation fosters: dedication, camaraderie, self esteem, discipline, and fun. While Annika has achieved immeasurable success on the course having been the most successful women's professional golfer to date, she has been dedicated to sharing her formula for success with youth who don't have the opportunities, experiences, education or resources available to them.
Over the years, she has developed several sports and physical fitness programs that promote these values and enable children to realize their potential, whether in golf or in life. By establishing the ANNIKA Foundation, Annika can further her reach and impact on children around the world.
Annika named one of 2008's most caring athletes
read or download the full article
Mission
The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
Initiatives
The Foundation will create and partner with programs that:
- teach the importance of living a healthy active lifestyle through nutrition and physical fitness
- offer experiences and opportunities that enable aspiring junior golfers to pursue their dreams
Junior Golf Programs
The ANNIKA Foundation has partnered with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to create an invitational golf tournament for the top 60 female U.S. and International junior golfers. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 16 – 19, 2009 in Reunion, Florida. The tournament will provide the opportunity for top players to compete against world class competition. In addition, participants will experience the “off-course” elements of playing collegiate and professional golf such as media training and the importance of health and nutrition. A portion of the proceeds from the event will support the AJGA's ACE Grant Program which provides top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial ability.
"The dinners, clinic, educational activity and all of the other activities made this tournament great!" Austin Ernst, Seneca S.C.
"I cannot explain what an incredible experience it was to play in such a prestigious event and meet of the best golfers of all time. I learned so much and cannot thank you enough for helping with the tournament and giving so many girls the opportunity of a lifetime." Sally Watson, Bradenton FL
"Your support for Junior Golf means so much to us and the game." Rachel Rhanna, Waynesburg, PA
"It is great to see so much support towards junior golfers. This is my first time in America and I am honored to have been invited to this event. It has been a learning opportunity and I have already made many memorable memories with new friends from across the world" Justine Lee, Sydney, Australia.
Annika has always enjoyed participating in team events. There is nothing like the camaraderie that takes place on a team, with individuals coming together and working towards a common goal while depending on each other in spirited competition. Her experience playing on the Swedish National Team, the University of Arizona team, and many Solheim Cup teams has provided some of her most cherished golfing memories. Yet the game does not present many opportunities for players to participate on a team. With that in mind, ANNIKA Foundation has created the ANNIKA Cup. Since 2007, this spirited match play competition features the top 12 Swedish amateur girls ages 13-16 playing on two teams of six.
 |
The exciting events include practice and coaching, two days of matches, a prize ceremony and dinner with Annika, media training, and the opportunity to attend Annika's press conference. The girls also get the chance to walk inside the ropes with Annika and her caddie during a practice round. Annika hopes these girls will meet new friends, learn from her experience, and become inspired to reach their potential. |
Collegiate Golf Experience
 |
Since 2003, Annika has partnered with the Swedish Golf Federation to educate Swedish junior golfers of the importance of college and to provide them with opportunities to further their golf and educational careers. The objective of this experience is to inspire young golfers to improve their golf games, prepare for the future, and bring them one step closer to earning a college scholarship. Each year, ANNIKA Foundation selects two top junior Swedish golfers to travel to the United States to visit top universities. They have a chance to tour the campus and meet with the college golf coaches. Then the juniors have the chance to train with Annika, and to see up close the techniques, training methods, mental discipline and focus she applies to the game. This program not only provides them with a first hand experience of playing collegiate golf but also gives the recipients the opportunity to follow Annika while she plays in an official LPGA tournament. |
Junior Girls Scholarship
Annika created the Junior Girls Scholarship in 1996 to stimulate interest in the young girls of her Swedish home golf club, Bro Bålsta. Each year, Annika and Bro Bålsta award a financial scholarship to an individual or group that best meets the criteria of ANNIKA Foundation's principles. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide resources to increase participation and defray costs for training and travel to tournaments to help promising young players reach their fullest potential.
An emphasis will be placed on increasing and expanding the reach of these initiatives.
Additionally, the ANNIKA Foundation will develop new programming in 2008 and beyond. Some of the
initiatives include the following:
- Collegiate golf scholarships
- Travel and training grants
Fitness Programs
In 2009, a primary focus for the ANNIKA Foundation will be to identify the greatest needs
and opportunities to make an impact through the development of sports and physical fitness
programs. A key focus will be to provide resources that:
- Increase participation and access where it is not currently available or affordable
- Promote awareness for the importance of leading a healthy active lifestyle
- Create safe environments for children to participate in fitness related activities
Donors
| PLATINUM CN |
||
| GOLD Rivertowne Golf LLC/Ginn Tribute |
||
| SILVER
Rolex LPGA Callaway Golf |
||
| BRONZE Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation Athletes for Hope Brand Strategy Inc. Cutter & Buck Gat Family Foundation Ginn Resorts Glenn Family Foundation Golf Channel IMG James Clark Design Johnny Miller Stanford Financial Evian Masters Tavistock Foundation Mike & Suzanne Fleming Jerry McGee Gannett Co ADT Alfons Schmitt Benee Scola Twinfields Capital Management Jeannine F. Connell Carr Gabriela & Michael Larkin |
Kraft Foods Lake Austin Productions Nixon Peabody Oakley Peter Jacobsen Sports, LLC Seoul Broadcasting System Intl., Inc. Sorenson Champions Challenge Stimson Lumber Company Tournament Golf Foundation The Currie Foundation Tony & Aida Elisco Transitions Championship Angela Iacone Radaelli Shirley Scott Margaret Abrams Becky & Mark Newell Pam Kehoe David & Geraldine Guy Erich & Sara Guy Frank & Selena Nobilo Kai & Tina Fusser Liz Benz Lynn Parker |
Bob Albers Dan & Sallie Dutton Scott & Carol Ehlen Rick & Kandy Holley Dick Lytle Ed & Cyndy Maletis Tom & Susan Maletis Andrew Miller Bill & Patti Peressini Harvey & Sandra Platt Frank L. Torresy Terry & Mary McNamara Michelle McGee Kristin & Travis Moye David Marriner Gregory Johnson Mark Cox Floris & Floris Gogie Girl Tiffany & Company NetJets Robert Walsh Bob & Trish Bishop |
Information
To make a contribution to the ANNIKA Foundation please make checks payable and
mail to:
ANNIKA Foundation
10524 Moss Park Road, Suite 204 #159
Orlando, FL 32832
Or, you can donate online via Paypal:
To learn more about the foundation or how you can get involved, please send an email to SelenaN@Annikafoundation.org