PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The United States Golf Association and The PGA of America announced a partnership for a Junior Golf Program in 2009 that focuses on expanding the number of junior golfers while fostering life-long participation in the game.
The pilot program will involve PGA Professionals in seven PGA Sections across the country that have demonstrated strong junior golf infrastructures – Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Northern Texas, South Florida, Southern California and Wisconsin.
The USGA/PGA Junior Golf Program will comprise three initiatives; an After School program, a Trio Mentoring program, and a Course Access program.
. The After School program is a four-to six-week activity conducted at 75 sites for one hour immediately after school. All sessions are conducted outdoors in an open space using traditional golf equipment. PGA Professionals will utilize the PGA First Swing and PGA Medalist curriculum to instruct youth on core golf skills – etiquette, rules and fundamentals – which will enable instructors to certify that participants are prepared for the next step of playing golf. A student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 will be maintained, with all participants gathering for a final session at a golf facility.
. The Trio Mentoring program is intended to provide junior golfers the opportunity to be encouraged, mentored and supported in order to achieve their full potential. Youngsters will be identified by the following: PGA Professionals, USGA volunteers, facilities, PGA Sections and State and Regional Golf Associations. The mentoring program will be conducted during the summer season and include a minimum commitment of six pro-am-kid playing and teaching opportunities.
. The Course Access program will utilize USGA and PGA digital media assets such as PlayGolfAmerica.com as well as JuniorLinks.com, to present discounted course access opportunities to help developing players find the right golf course for their location, budget, and skill level.
“Building the next generation of golfers is one of the hallmarks of our mission as PGA Professionals and one that is shared by our partner, the United States Golf Association,” said PGA of America President Jim Remy. “Our partnership with the USGA in this program represents the next step to extending those building blocks for our country’s future golfers. We are excited about the curriculum that will be used to reach youngsters and the enthusiasm that our member professionals bring to the lesson tee each day. It is their body of work which makes the game of golf enjoyable for everyone.”
The After School Program will be promoted by the schools through PGA Sections during The First Tee National Schools Program or physical education class as an elective next step to learning to play golf. The USGA and PGA of America will co-brand the junior golf programs and divide responsibilities, with each contributing grants.
“The USGA is excited to partner with The PGA of America and its 28,000 members in expanding opportunities for young people to learn the game of golf,” said USGA President Jim Vernon. “Providing more quality instruction and increasing opportunities to get kids on the golf course will help assure golf’s future by helping today’s junior golfers become lifelong players.”
In addition to the After School Program, recruitment of junior golfers will continue through mentoring programs, PGA and LPGA professionals, partner programs with The First Tee, and other junior golf programs and associations that have been utilized in the seven pilot PGA Sections.
About the USGA
The United States Golf Association is golf’s governing body in the USA and Mexico, a combined area that includes more than half the world’s golfers and golf courses. We are passionate about, dedicated to and expert in the game of golf. Based on a shared love and respect for golf, we preserve its past, foster its future and champion its best interests for everyone who loves, respects and enjoys the game.
Each season, we conduct the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships, including the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur. The USGA also writes and interprets the Rules of Golf, regulates and tests golf equipment, provides research-based turf management expertise, maintains the USGA handicap and course rating system, celebrates the history of the game and supports grassroots programs through its “For the Good of the Game” initiative. For more information about the USGA, please visit www.usga.org.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the billion-dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561/624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com