Industry Shows Dedication To Kids At 35th Annual IIAJC Tournament

Months before the tournament, more than 2,000 agents helped more than 8,000 boys and girls in 44 states, ages 13 to 18, qualify for the 120 boy and 60 girl national final spots. (See related results story).

During a banquet held for the players before the start of the tournament, Ronald L. Wininger, IIAJC National Committee chairman and senior vice president at Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates based in Houston, talked about the dedication agents have for this tournament. Not only did they spend time and energy, but they also opened their pockets to help the players.

Dennis Burns, director of the Tiger Woods foundation, who was on hand to donate $25,000 to the IIAJC classic and to root on some players affiliated with the foundation, echoed Mr. Winingers comments about the agents dedication to the event.

He said that both Tiger Woods and his father Earl have a special fondness for the event, not only because Tiger won it twice, but also because of the special relationships they both developed with agents and other participants.

Underscoring that special relationship, Mr. Burns told a story about standing in the Olde York pro shop when someone walked in and said he had to buy 3 dozen very expensive golf balls "for his kids." At first, Mr. Burns said he assumed the man was talking about his own children. Mr. Burns learned later that the man was talking about the three young players he was hosting at his home.

"When I think of this, what the host families and you [agents and volunteers] are doing out there, you make this a very different tournament from a lot of the other tournaments out there," Mr. Burns said.

For two agents, the real work began on the Sunday before the event–out at Philadelphia International Airport. There, Jacki Jungsberger, vice president with Tri-County Agency of Brick Inc. in Bricktown, N.J., and Nancy Hagerman, owner at Laurel, Coe & Associated Inc. in Stratford, N.J., greeted the players as they came in. They also made sure that the players made it to their destinations–whether it was to the home of a host family or the Lafayette Yard Marriott in Trenton, N.J.

Ms. Jungsberger recounted how she and transportation co-chair, Ms. Hagerman, started their day at 8 a.m. and did not finish until sometime after 11 p.m., making sure that everyone got to where they needed to be. They would later remain at the tournament, helping where needed to see that things ran smoothly.

"There were definitely some long hours, but it was definitely well worth it," she said, adding that having an efficient agency staff was a great help.

"The office is treating this as if Im on vacation, but a vacation its not," she added.

Brian F. Durkin, the IIAJC host committee and sponsorship chairman, and also vice president of the Durkin Agency Inc. in Englewood, N.J., said on the final day of the tournament that the 18 months agents spent getting ready for the event was "a real learning experience." He said it was also a lot of work, requiring 16 hour days on some days during the last couple of weeks leading up to the event.

But all that work, he observed, paid off in the appreciation both the players and their families showed. "Many thanked us for a very well-run tournament and told us how they enjoyed themselves," said Mr. Durkin.

"Its been wonderful, a lot of work, but we enjoyed it," said Sheri Acconzo, president and chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey and the events budget chair.

Everyone involved in the tournament showed enormous generosity, not only giving much of their time, but also by donating food, water and any other items needed.

At the Ronan Agency in Bricktown, volunteering turned into a family affair.

Denise Ronan and Jeanne Heisler, sisters and co-owners of the Ronan Agency, came out for the week, along with Ms. Heislers three sons Bill Jr., Rob and Chris, and her husband Bill Sr., who is the only non-insurance person in the family.

"Its been great fun to volunteer and witness some awesome golf," said Ms. Ronan.

"As hot as its been, weve enjoyed it," said Ms. Heisler.

She said a major concern over the week was making sure volunteers got breaks and water, especially those working in the fairways as marshals.

"Its been a little tough out there for the volunteers, but the players are up to it," she said. "Theyre real soldiers."

As for the agency, Ms. Ronan credited the staff for being able to keep things running in their absence and for being supportive. She said in the age of technology, the staff could contact them about any problems, but she did "not get one call all week," crediting them for their abilities.

As for the experience, Ms. Heisler said she would do it again, despite the work involved.

"Ive been surprised at how much hard work this is," said Ed Drag, vice president, New Jersey regional manager for Branchville, N.J.-based Selective Insurance. Selective sponsored the tournament, matching the Tiger Woods Foundations $25,000 donation.

"For us this was a natural fit," said Mr. Drag, noting the companys relationship with the state and the close relationship it has with independent agents. Somewhere between 15 and 20 Selective employees volunteered their time over the five days to give a hand, he said.

It also gave the employees a chance to meet up with some of the agents they have dealt with, but never met personally, he said. "Its just been a great experience," he added.

When it came to the host families, they opened themselves to giving more than a bed and a roof over players heads.

Club member Michael Paglione, an attorney with Paglione and Massi in Hamilton, N.J., said he along with other host families held barbecues for the players during the week. For some players, it was their first time near an ocean. He said some host family members took the players for an evening at the shore along the New Jersey boardwalks. Other host families were known to have taken players to Philadelphia or New York City.

"Its just been a neat experience," said Mr. Paglione. "Its just the nature of the golf community. Theyre wonderful people."

"As interested as you are in the kids, they are as interested in you," observed Greg Blair, the housing chair and vice president of Nottingham Insurance & Financial Services in Hamilton Square, N.J.

He also gave a lot of credit to those kids who did not make the cut but stayed on to help their friends by caddying for them in the final two days of the tournament.

R.E. "Buffy" Mayerstein, chairman of MBAH Insurance in Lafayette, Ind., and tournament director, said in the 19 years he has been the director this was one of the more friendly, enthusiastic groups he has been associated with.

He added that the tournament ran very smoothly, despite the weather. He was surprised at how well the course held up after the 14 days of rain that hit the state prior to the tournament. He credited the course superintendent with keeping it playable.

"Its been a very enjoyable time," he said.

"This tournament represents the best junior golfers in the country," noted Mr. Wininger during his banquet address to the players. "Out of every class, someone has graduated to the pro ranks. But you all will take memories from here that will last with you forever and ever."

"The kids are what makes this event," observed Mr. Durkin. "Thats what makes this all worthwhile."

Reproduced from National Underwriter Property & Casualty/Risk & Benefits Management Edition, August 25, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.