Merritt Trophy
 |
The International Junior Masters owes its life to H.R. "Renny" Merritt, Jr. In 2005 we honor the legacy of our event's founder by unveiling the Renny Merritt Trophy, signifying the tournament championship. It was Renny who first conceived the idea of an invitational golf tournament for boys of age 17 and under at East Aurora Country Club. The tournament was first played in 1953 and is now the oldest international invitational event for junior golfers in North America.
We lost Renny in 2003 at the age of 87. A true gentleman, he honored the game he loved by giving much back to it. Having literally grown up on the EACC course as a youngster, Renny developed his own skill to a point where he captained the Yale golf team in the 1930's. While there he had the privilege of traveling to play some of the great golf courses of the world. Ultimately returning to East Aurora, he captured the club championship here many times. He also served as a USGA Rules Committeeman and officiated at many USGA tournaments around the country.
|
Ray McAuliffe Memorial Trophy
 |
When Ray McAuliffe was a youngster he was a shining light among local golfers. He won the Western New York championship, when it was an invitation affair, at the Country Club of Buffalo in 1915; he won the WNY crown again the first time it was open to all golfers in this sector, at Orchard Park in 1921; he collected the National Public Links diadem, the first and only national title won by a Buffalonian, at Garden City, L.I. in 1925.
Ray turned pro the following year and, in his long career, embracing service at several area clubs, made hosts of friends, developing many young golfers along the way. At his death in November, 1952, he was Jack Pritchard's associate pro at the Park Club.
Now his name won't be forgotten by the younger generation of golf. When the cream of the area's youthful linksman begins swinging in the third annual East Aurora Junior Invitation Tournament tomorrow, the target will be the Ray McAuliffe Memorial Trophy, donated by Roy Siegel of the Park Club. There'll be a large permanent trophy on which the winner's name will be inscribed, and a smaller trophy which the young champion will keep.
Source - The Buffalo Evening News - June 1955
The McAuliffe Trophy was retired in 2004.
|
Robert Steele Trophy
 |
In 1974, a special presentation was made to the parents of Bobby Steele, a former East Aurora Junior Invitation player from Fredonia who died tragically in California last year. "Some of the boys who played with Bobby thought it might be a good idea, and the response we've gotten from them has been just tremendous."
The Robert Steele award goes to the tournament runner-up.
Robert Steele Trophy Winners
|
The Gary Player Cup
 |
In 1965, shortly after Gary Player’s much-to-be admired generous cash gift to the U.S.G.A. for the encouragement of junior golf in America after he won the U.S. Open, the East Aurora Junior Invitational Committee sought the privilege to be the first to acknowledge Mr. Player’s good will with a tribute to him in the form of the Gary Player Cup to be awarded annually in his honor to the tourney Medalist. We believe this has become one of the finest and most cherished junior golf trophies awarded anywhere in the world.
|
The Joseph Griffin, Jr. Award
 |
In 1972, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Griffin contacted the Junior Invitaional Committee at EACC and requested a plaque be presented in memory of their son who was drowned in the recent flood near Wellsville. The committee has decided that the medalist 15 years of age or under be awarded the trophy in memory of Joseph Griffin, Jr. who has played in the East Aurora Country Club's tournament in the past. Joseph was 21.
Joseph Griffin Award Winners
|
The Johnny Ryan Award
 |
In 1984, the family of the 1979 champion, Johnny Ryan, established an award to honor Johnny who died in a boating accident in 1982 on Canandaigua Lake. The Johnny Ryan award is presented to the first day medalist each year.
Johnny Ryan Award Winners
|
The Deb Engle Award
 |
In 2000, the Deb Engle Award was established to honor long-time Tournament Director Delbert “Deb” Engle, whose sudden passing we mourned that February. A commissioned original crystal, this trophy was funded by the generous contribution of Billy McDonald, a teaching golf pro in Birmingham, AL whose son competed in the IJM for three years. To memorialize Deb’s passion for this event, the Deb Engle Award is presented “To the player who demonstrates dedication, improvement and conduct that reflects positively on the game through his repeated competition in the International Junior Masters.”
Deb Engle Award Winners
|
|