Is there another next Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam among young golfers in Southern Minnesota? They are out there for sure! And three Minnesotans are going to make a strong effort to find them.
These Minnesotans—D.J. Guerrero, Ryan Thompson and Justin Bennett–just acquired the license to operate the Total Golf Adventures program in Southern Minnesota (Dakota and Scott counties). While they would like to discover the next super star, their mission and that of Total Golf Adventures is really to encourage as many youngsters as possible to enter golf through a unique at-school, after-school program.
Since launching in fall of 2004, Total Golf Adventures, a California-based company, has already introduced golf to more than 25,000 youngsters K-8 in over 600 schools with 32 national programs in 23 states.
All three not only share a deep passion for golf, but they are devoted to teaching youngsters the game.
Guerrero’s passion for golf began after a four-year stint in the U.S. Coast Guard. He is a graduate of the Professional Golfers Career College where he passed his players’ ability test. He has worked at golf clubs in Montana and Oregon. He is also a two-time Montana State Amateur Flight Champion.
Thompson, an assistant pro at Wilds Golf Club, is working toward his PGA certification so that he can continue teaching youngsters and beginners. While in school, he competed in the Junior Professional Golfers Association tournaments, winning several events in Minneapolis and Southern Minnesota. He also took courses in the Professional Golf Management program in Temecula, Ca. working toward a degree in golf management.
Bennett is following a similar course as Thompson, also attending the PGCC program this past winter.
TGA is one of the leading companies reaching out to school-age children with golf programs. Using a unique teaching method that supports and reinforces educational concepts already taught in school, TGA has created an opportunity for children to develop life enhancement skills, learn and improve their golf game, and have fun.
The three share the same goals in trying to build the TGA territory in Southern Minnesota. First, they agree that "working with and teaching youngsters" is one of their strong interests. Second, they are excited about owning their business and growing it from the ground up.
"When we learned about TGA and what the company has done in a short time, we became completely fascinated by it," said Guerrero, speaking for the other two members of the team. "The TGA concept enables us to combine our three major interests—golf, working with children, and owning our own business. What better way for a youngster to learn about life than through golfâ?¦whether these youngsters become great golfers or not doesn’t really matter. They will take away from the TGA program valuable life-long lessons. But who knows, there just could be another Tiger or Annika looming out there."
TGA’s programs extend beyond learning the game of golf and honing the golf swing. A child’s passion for the game of golf grows with a program that expands and improves their motor skills and coordination, encourages their advancement, and builds their confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the TGA program promotes and teaches life values intrinsic to the game of golf:
â?¢ Respect – for the game, their partners, and the golf course
â?¢ Honesty
â?¢ Teamwork – classes include competition, and skills contests
â?¢ Sportsmanship – good sportsmanship is fundamental to the TGA curriculum and is rewarded in classes
â?¢ Commitment and Integrity
"We are excited to have three highly-qualified pros join our team. Not only is TGA a solid business model, it provides our licensees with the opportunity to give something back to their community," said Joshua Jacobs, President and CEO of this fast-growing national youth program. "Our success in two short years is primarily due to several facts. First, the entrepreneurial energy of our licensees; second, there is strong interest among youth of America for golf program and lastly, schools are craving for at-school, after-school, realistic programs."
The TGA curriculum was developed with input from PGA Professionals and PhD’s in Child Development and Education. Their input has ensured that TGA reinforces educational concepts such as arithmetic and reading, while teaching golf. Students learn to: keep score, count strokes (addition/subtraction); judge distances to the golf hole; (visual perception); and, study golf rules and etiquette (reading rule books by the National Golf Foundation or in the case of younger children, identifying with pictures).
TGA uses junior golf clubs in four different sizes and the Almost Golf Ballâ?¢, new practice ball designed to be safe for children and easy to hit. Students’ sense of achievement and accomplishment is fostered as they move through a five level program designated by the TGA colors. In addition to instruction during the five levels, students are introduced to the rules, etiquette, and fundamentals of golf; then transitioned to learning how to play on a golf course. Finally, the advanced level students are prepped to play competitively through TGA and PGA Section teachings.
Total Golf Adventures (www.totalgolfadventures.com is based El Segundo, CA. and operates 32 national programs in 23 states. Since launching in Fall of 2004, TGA instructors have taught more than 25,000 children in over 600 schools. TGA is endorsed and named as the official junior golf initiative by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA); a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance, a corporate advocate and partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness.
Contact:
Alan Taylor
Alan Taylor Consulting, Inc.
561-3921740
alan@alantaylor.com
IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA:
Justin Bennett – (507) 351-2534
D.J. Guerrero – (406) 270-7540
Ryan Thompson – (507) 383-3139
