Beutnagel brings his 20-year Fortune 500 business experience to
the golf industry by launching the second TGA franchise in Connecticut
Weston, CT – Total Golf Adventures (TGA), one of the leading initiatives to grow the game of golf and the premier national after-school junior golf program in the country, has expanded a second franchise in the state of Connecticut. This new TGA territory, located in Fairfield County, is owned and operated by Weston and Fairfield County resident Karsten Beutnagel.
“Our continued expansion of franchises in the State of Connecticut, as well as the New England region confirms the demand for structured, affordable and accessible youth growth of the game initiatives,” said Joshua Jacobs, president and CEO of Total Golf Adventures. “We look forward to working with Karsten, as he develops our in-school five-level education based youth programs while instilling life values and character development.”
Originally from Germany, Karsten comes to TGA after a long global career in the business world having lived in Frankfurt, London, Paris and Beaverton, Oregon. His 20 years of business experience includes working for such Fortune 500 companies as G.E., Hewlett Packard, and Dell where he was very successful in building and leading corporate teams, as well as creating global branding strategies. His training and development initiatives included partnering with some of the leading academic institutions around the world.
Most recently, Mr. Beutnagel graduated from The Golf Academy of America in Phoenix in April 2009 as class Valedictorian. He has also been a player’s agent, a player’s coach, and has been involved with the U.S. Women’s Open and the Kraft Nabisco Championship, as well as a volunteer for the FBR Open and the Executive Women’s Golf Association. In addition, he closely worked with youth golf programs at the First Tee of Phoenix, and the Special Olympics Arizona.
“I am very excited about the opportunity with Total Golf Adventures to combine my business experience with my passion for golf,” said Beutnagel. “TGA provides a great opportunity to build a successful business, as part of a nationwide program to teach the next generation of golfers, helping them enjoy a lifelong sport and learn life values along the way.”
Beutnagel has already begun developing a variety of programs in a short period of time with three elementary schools in Westport, CT, along with one of the premier private schools in Darien, CT. In addition, he has developed a wonderful program for youths in the Norwalk Housing Authority, where kids come from diverse backgrounds and otherwise might not get an opportunity to experience and learn the game of golf and associated life values. Additional programs are scheduled to start across the county in January.
“After teaching a junior golf summer camp, I was convinced that working with kids and helping them to achieve their potential while learning good sportsmanship was my new career path,” said Beutnagel. “Seeing the smile on the face of a child after hitting a great shot, and seeing kids gain self-confidence in golf and in life is what it’s all about.”
About Total Golf Adventures
Total Golf Adventures (www.golftga.com) was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide all K-8th grade students with access to the game of golf through the first national at-school, after-school Golf Enrichment Program. TGA has put more than 50,000 students through its programs. There are TGA programs in over 20 states with more than 1,800 schools participating this fall across the United States.
TGA breaks down the traditional barriers of inconvenience and high cost when golf is brought to children through their schools. TGA’s five-level Golf Enrichment Program, developed by PGA and LPGA golf professionals in coordination with top PhD’s in education and curriculum development, teaches the fundamentals, rules and etiquette of golf. It also promotes education and golf’s life values through its character development initiative, “Play the Fair Way with TGA.” TGA is a USGA-approved program under the Rules of Amateur Status.
TGA is endorsed and named as the official junior golf initiative by the National High School Golf Coaches Association (NHSGCA): is a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance and Lights on AfterSchool, a corporate advocate and a partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness; and is a partner with the Southern California PGA Section and Northern California PGA Section.
Contact:
Total Golf Adventures-Fairfield County
Karsten Beutnagel
(203) 557-3998
kbeutnagel@golftga.com
Total Golf Adventures
Joshua Jacobs – CEO
(310) 333-0622
joshua@golftga.com
