BROOKLYN, MI—When you are a golf pro teaching in Michigan, how do you give lessons in the middle of winter? Pretty difficult at best! Not so, says Justin Rankin who acquired the license to run Total Golf Adventures programs in Livingston and Ingham counties that will give him ample opportunity to do "his thing", but in an unusual way.
What’s unusual is that Total Golf Adventures is the only at-school, after-school golf program for youngsters in grades K through 8 in the countryâ?¦and a program that meets the goal of Justin Rankin, a PGA Class A Teaching Pro.
TGA reaches out to school-age children with golf programs, using a unique teaching method that supports and reinforces educational concepts taught in school. TGA has created an opportunity for children to develop life enhancement skills, learn and improve their golf game while having fun.
Rankin, who resides in Brooklyn, joins 33 other licensees operating junior golf programs in 19 states including territories. Since launching in fall of 2004, TGA instructors have introduced golf to more than 25,000 children in more than 600 schools. This fits perfectly with Rankin’s first love: "bringing golf to children that would not normally be given a chance to learn this wonderful sport."
"Typically, golf teachers like myself have limited choices in the winter," says Rankin. "We could go south or we could teach indoors at various education centers. Or, in my case, I decided to use winter time to build a teaching base in an area that I consider my first love—working with children. TGA affords me that opportunity as we are able to hold programs in gymnasiums or auditoriums of schools. In better weather periods, we can go outdoors and, of course, during summer months I will be able to set up golf camps."
This all figures, of course! Just look at Rankin’s background. Growing up in Iron River, he was introduced to golf at the age of 12. He played on his high school team and went on to Ferris State University. He graduated Ferris State in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with emphasis on professional golf management.
While at Ferris State, Justin completed internships at golf facilities such as Treetops resort in Gaylord, Nike Golf Learning Center in Hillside, IL and the Faldo Golf Institute in Orlando. He held a teaching position at GolfTEC in Des Plaines, IL, but decided that a Total Golf Adventures license in his home state was more attractive.
"Every one of our licensees is unbelievably committed to TGA’s concept of bringing youngsters into golf," said Joshua Jacobs, president and founder of the El Segundo Ca-based company.
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.
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 from 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?¢, a 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.
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, is a corporate advocate and partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness.
Contact:
FOR GOLF ADVENTURES:
ALAN TAYLOR
alan@alantaylorconsulting.com
516 835 1151)
LOCAL:
Justin Rankin:
Office: 630 254 6647
jjrankin33@yahoo.com
