Youth golf development program will impact East Montgomery County
Philadelphia, PA – TGA Premier Junior Golf, one of the leading initiatives to grow the game of golf and the only national after-school enrichment junior golf program in the country, reaches a milestone with the launch of its 50th franchise territory, located in East Montgomery County, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dustin Cottingham is the owner of the new franchise, which will impact schools and golf courses in and around East Montgomery County.
“TGA is thrilled to have our 50th franchise territory open outside the city of Philadelphia and making it the first of its kind in Pennsylvania,” said Joshua Jacobs, founder and CEO of TGA Premier Junior Golf. “Through his past TGA experience, we have great confidence that Dustin will make a significant impact on East Montgomery County schools and students by making golf accessible and affordable through our five-level education based programs.”
Having a career in the golf industry was only natural for Cottingham, as the game of golf gave him a new outlook on life after high school. A standout athlete and linebacker on his high school state championship football team in Kentucky, he overcame a debilitating disease known as Dysautonomia, which caused seizures limiting his mobility forcing him to have to walk away from his favorite sport of football and the opportunity for an athletic college scholarship. Following that tough time, he took up the game of golf as a new activity to do with his dad. After playing for just two weeks, he scored his first hole in one, and was hooked on the game and business ever since.
“The game of golf and the opportunities it has given me have been life changing. I am not sure where I would be with out it,” said Cottingham. “TGA has given me a wonderful opportunity and I can only hope that through our education based programs, I can use the game of golf to impact kids in the same way the game has impacted me.”
Following a brief career in the Army as a member of the military police and a student with the Professional Golfers Career College, Dustin began his career as a TGA coach in Temecula, California. After a year of coaching, he saw TGA as a wonderful career opportunity and took advantage of what Entrepreneur Magazine recognized as one of the “Top 10 Best Franchise Deals”.
“Working as a coach with TGA was the first time I could honestly say I never had a bad day at work. The response I saw from the parents was tremendous and the enthusiasm of the kids was eye opening,” said Cottingham. “The more I coached the more I wanted to turn this passion into a career, which I was fortunate to be able to do through the help and guidance of TGA.”
Cottingham, who resides locally with his wife Kate in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, is very excited about launching the state’s first TGA franchise, and to begin working with the local school systems in East Montgomery County building a leading youth enrichment program for kids and schools.
“This is a very family oriented community where the parents and schools support and welcome as many programs as possible to offer their children and expand their horizons. I’m looking forward to bringing TGA’s after school golf enrichment programs to the area schools and impacting thousands of students,” said Cottingham.
About TGA Premier Junior Golf
TGA Premier Junior Golf is an affordable franchise opportunity for self-starters who enjoy working with children in a business venture that provides a unique entry into youth sports, education, and the golf industry. TGA makes golf affordable and accessible to the masses directly through Physical Education and Afterschool Enrichment Programs at elementary and middle schools, child care centers, and community based organizations, as well as transitioning students to golf courses through camps, clinics and private lessons.
TGA, which was named by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 10 Best Franchise Deal, moved up in the Magazine’s Franchise 500 rankings from No. 450 in 2009 to No. 319 in 2010. TGA was also ranked 4th among Children’s Fitness Franchises. TGA is a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance and Lights on After School and is a corporate advocate and national partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness, Golf Coaches Association, as well as the National Council of Youth Sports. TGA’s curriculums are also approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA) under the Rules of Amateur Status.
For more information about TGA Premier Junior Golf, visit www.golftga.com.
Contact:
TGA of East Montgomery County
Dustin Cottingham
(703) 477-4731
dcottingham@golftga.com
TGA Premier Junior Golf
Joshua Jacobs – Founder and CEO
(310) 333-0622
joshua@golftga.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
