The ANNIKA Foundation provides inspiration to children in need through critical financial, physical, and emotional support, and also helps aspiring junior golfers follow their dreams through scholarships, education, and new playing opportunities. The Foundation will create and partner with programs that will directly and permanently impact the lives of children around the world.

Initiatives & Programs

Throughout her career, Annika has been dedicated to sharing her passion for golf and fitness. Over the years she has developed several programs and partnerships to help children realize their dreams and grow through sports and fitness.

Golf Opportunities

AJGA Tournament

The ANNIKA Foundation has partnered with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) to create an invitational golf tournament for top female U.S. and International junior golfers. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 16 – 19, 2009. 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 sponsor management. 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 resources.

ANNIKA Cup

In 2007, Annika started the ANNIKA Cup, which is a spirited match play competition for the twelve top Swedish amateur girls ages 13-16. The first annual ANNIKA Cup took place August 4-7 at the Donald Steel Course, Barsebäck G&CC, Sweden. Events included practice and coaching, 18 hole Foursome matches, 12 Singles matches, a prize ceremony with Annika, following Annika during the tournament, media training, attending Annika’s press conference, and the opportunity to walk inside the ropes with Annika and her caddie during a practice round. The 2nd annual event is scheduled for this August.

College 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 selects 2 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.

Scholarships

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 the 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.

Other Programs

Make-A-Wish Foundation

In 2007 Annika became a National Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through this role, Annika donates her time, talents and resources to grant the wishes of children diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions. In January of 2008, Annika was able to grant her first wish by spending the day playing golf with 14 year old Molly Esordi of Michigan. Molly plays high school golf and her wish was to meet and play golf with Annika. The Annika Foundation partnered with some of Annika’s sponsors to provide Molly with one-on-one instruction, nine holes of golf with Annika, accommodations at Ginn Reunion Resort, ANNIKA Collection apparel, Callaway golf clubs and much more. Additionally, Annika hosted a clinic for two children and invited them to the grand opening of her Academy. Annika participated in the Destination Joy public awareness campaign to inspire and empower Americans to share their much-needed time, talents and resources to grant the wishes of the 100,000 children who will be diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions over the next 4 years. Additionally, Annika appeared at the Give Kids the World Village “Village Idol” talent show as a celebrity judge. The Give Kids the World Village provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated tickets to various attractions and parks, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation.

Ginn Tribute

Annually, Annika hosts the Ginn Tribute which benefits the ANNIKA Foundation and donates a portion of the proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 2008 Ginn Tribute is going to be held from May 26 – June 1, 2008 at the RiverTowne Country Club in Charleston, S.C.

The ANNIKA Foundation plans to host additional fundraising events in 2009. For more information about these events or the Foundation please visit www.annikafoundation.org.

To make a contribution to the ANNIKA Foundation please make checks payable and mail to:

ANNIKA Foundation
800 Main Street, PMB 154
Holden, MA 01520

Donors

The ANNIKA Foundation would like to thank the various supporters who have provided financial support as well as donated various goods and services: The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, Athletes for Hope, Brand Strategy Inc., Callaway Golf, Cutter & Buck, Ginn Reunion Resort, IMG, Kraft Foods, LPGA, and Oakley.

For more information, please e-mail info@annikafoundation.org