TUCSON, AZ—If you love what you do, you don’t have to work for the rest of your life!" A bit altruistic, perhaps, but nevertheless, it is the dream that Gilbert Moncada is following as he develops this area as the territory manager for Total Golf Adventures, the fast-growing, at-school, after-school golf program for youngsters in grades K-8.
And it is perhaps that driving trait that has enabled Moncada to land a number of schools in an extremely short period of time.
"I have two schools ready to go and hope to have six more signed within the next few weeks," Moncada said.
"That is the spirit and aggressiveness we want from our territory managers," said Joshua Jacobs, CEC and founder of this three-year-old California-based company. "In the short time we have been operating at-school, after-school programs, we have introduced golf to more than 25,000 youngsters in more than 600 schools in 18 states with 32 territories."
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 taught in school, TGA has created an opportunity for children to develop life enhancement skills, learn and improve their golf game, and have fun.
Gilbert’s passion for golf began when he started playing golf with his father when he was 11 years old and living in Grants, New Mexico. He attended New Mexico State University where he earned a bachelors degree in marketing while graduating from the Professional Golf Management program there.
With degree in hand, he decided it would be better to pursue a golf career here, moving his family from New Mexico. He worked as an assistant golf professional at the Arizona National Golf Club here and Skyline Golf Club in Tucson where he was able to earn his PGA Class A membership which allows him to teach the game.
Then like many people, he felt the urge and desire to "build his own business". That’s when he learned about the opportunities to build a youth-based program in Tucson with Total Golf Adventures. "What more can I ask for? I love golfâ?¦I am a good player and an excellent teacher. I love children (he has three of his own). Now I can marry my love of golf to children and bring this game to them early enough in their lives to make a difference," Moncada said.
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 Moncada join our team. Not only is TGA a solid business venture, it provides our licensees with the opportunity to give something back to their community," said Jacobs. "Our success is primarily due to several facts. "First, the entrepreneurial energy of our territory managers; 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 authentic golf clubs from Nicklaus Golf Equipment , 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.
The opening of the Tucson territory brings the total to two in Arizona with Mesa being the other site.
Total Golf Adventures (www.totalgolfadventures.com) is endorsed and named as the official junior golf initiative by the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA); is a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance, are a corporate advocate and a partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness.
Contact:
TOTAL GOLF ADVENTURES
ALAN TAYLOR
alan@alantaylorconsulting.com
516 835 1151
TUCSON
GILBERT MONCADA
gilbert@totalgolfadventures.com
(520) 207-9763