Students, Faculty and Alumni Are Leaders in Junior Golf Programs Throughout the Country
July 18, 2013, Birmingham, Ala. – Golf Academy of America, through programs and initiatives such as Little Linksters Association for Junior Golf Development, is playing a major role in creating and preserving access to golf for future generations as it celebrates Play Golf America’s Family Golf Month in July.
Noting the success enjoyed by team sports in attracting young participants, Golf Academy of America faculty member Brendon Elliott founded the Little Linksters for youth ages 3-8 in the Orlando, Fla., area. Using an instructional coloring book with fun, animal characters and teaching methods geared specifically toward young children, Elliott’s Little Linksters’ program and events have grown quickly throughout central Florida.
Elliott recently moved the main campus of Little Linksters Academy to Wekiva Golf Club in Longwood, Fla., the home course of Golf Academy of America’s Orlando campus. The move allows Golf Academy students to participate in the program and hone their skills at teaching young children.
Through Little Linksters’ widely popular Best Pee Wee Golf Swing in the World, youth have received great prizes as well as the thrill of having golf celebrities such as Annika Sorenstam, Hank Haney and Paula Creamer judge their swings. Elliott was able to showcase Little Linksters and his teaching methods as a guest on Golf Channel.
“We recognize that junior golfers are the future of golf, and developing the next generation of golfers has always been a priority for us,” said Golf Academy of America President Jim Hart. “There’s no better family entertainment than a relaxed day together on the golf course.”
At Golf Academy of America’s five campuses throughout the country, students receive training on providing instruction and guidance to junior golfers.
“How as an industry do we ever think that we can compete with other popular sports if we don’t start children at the same ages they do?” said Elliott, the 2013 recipient of the North Florida PGA Junior Golf Leader Award.
Elliott’s answer was Little Linksters Golf Academy, which he founded at MetroWest Golf Club in Orlando as well as Little Linkster mobile programs throughout Florida and Little Linkster Tour events. Interest and focus was never a problem.
Elliott took a creative approach, developing the coloring book with characters “Floppy,” “Birdie” and “Bogey” explaining fundamentals of the golf swing, rules, etiquette, safety and sportsmanship on the coloring pages. Floppy, a blue male, and Birdie, a pink female, are smiling, large-eared rabbits who provide instruction to their friend Bogey, a raccoon.
“The kids are easy!” Elliott said. “They are open books in general and are hungry to learn new things. The only challenge we have found in our first few years is changing the mindset of many parents and adults that not only kids in these young ages can learn and have fun but also excel. Teaching life skills is at the core of what we do.”
Little Linksters is only one of several initiatives and programs in which Golf Academy of America students, faculty and alumni make significant contributions to junior golf throughout the country.
Michael Flanagan, a two-time San Diego PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year and a faculty member at Golf Academy of America’s San Diego campus, was San Diego Chapter PGA junior golf chairman. Advanced Golf Academy students at the San Diego campus give inexpensive individual lessons to juniors.
Golf Academy of America is the presenting sponsor of the North Texas PGA Section’s All American Tour for players ages 11 through 18. Students at Golf Academy of America’s Dallas campus also perform some operational duties at All American Tour events.
Tom Woody, a faculty member at Golf Academy of America’s Myrtle Beach campus, created the Cincinnati Inner-City Youth Golf Program. Woody recruited a dozen Cincinnati Bengals’ football players to help out.
Students at Golf Academy of America’s Phoenix campus are trained in the Start New at Golf (SNAG) program and have worked with youth at the First Tee of Phoenix.
About Golf Academy of America
Golf Academy of America (formerly the San Diego Golf Academy) is the largest and longest-running two-year golf college in the world. Golf Academy of America’s 16-month program balances classroom studies, practical experience and comprehensive understanding of both the game and the business of golf. Campuses are located in San Diego, Phoenix, Orlando, Myrtle Beach and Dallas. For more information, call 800-342-7342 or visit www.GolfAcademy.edu. The schools are owned and operated by the Education Corporation of America, headquartered in Birmingham, Ala. Visit www.ECAColleges.com for more information.
Contact:
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