Successful industry partnership continues to ensure golf’s future
Ontario, CA – The mission of the PGA of America includes serving the PGA Member and their golf facilities. One forward-thinking PGA Section, the Southern California PGA (SCPGA), has been finding great success in doing both in partnership with TGA Premier Junior Golf (TGA), including recently acquiring their third TGA franchise Chapter located in South Orange County.
“Our continued partnership with TGA further demonstrates our commitment to player development in Southern California, and we are pleased to continue expanding our resources and growing golf in our area”, said former PGA of America President and SCPGA Executive Director/CEO Tom Addis, III. “TGA’s growth of the game model and what it has done for our Section has allowed us to further invest, expand programs, as well as create jobs for our members.”
The SCPGA recognized TGA’s industry leading player pathway model to develop new players and increase participation, acquiring their first two franchises in North Orange County and North San Diego in 2013. Exceeding revenue and participation projections has allowed the SCPGA to add another franchise and expand the player pathway throughout Southern California for juniors and adults.
The pathway begins with introductory programs such as Neighborhood Golf events as well as school and community center enrichment programs. Players then progress to recreational events at golf courses such as junior camps, leagues and clinics along with Get Golf Ready for adults. The pathway completes at the competitive level through enhanced skill development and lessons from PGA Professionals, PGA Junior League Golf, Drive Chip and Putt, and SCPGA Junior Tour events.
The SCPGA acquired the TGA franchise from Anthony Leone who has also been hired to run the day-to-day operations. Leone is a long-time TGA franchise owner and employee, who managed the company-owned Los Angeles Chapter before purchasing the South Orange County franchise in 2007.
The SCPGA owns and operates three of the nine TGA franchises located in Southern California with over 265 schools running year round before and after school programs. Since partnering with TGA in 2005, they have brought more than 60,000 new junior golfers and families into the game throughout Southern California.
“Integrating TGA golf in schools programs into the SCPGA’s player pathway and watching it grow has been very rewarding,” said TGA founder and CEO, Joshua Jacobs. “They have fully demonstrated how the TGA model can work together with PGA Sections and their Members to create a pathway for new and current players that increases participation, and drives new clientele and revenue to golf courses and PGA Professionals.”
About Southern California PGA Section
The Southern California PGA Section was established in 1924, and today is comprised of over 1,700 golf Professionals working at over 500 facilities within the section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) is aligned with the purpose of the PGA of America, which is to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The SCPGA provides competitive playing opportunities, educational seminars and growth of the game initiatives within a geographic area that stretches from San Luis Obispo to the Tijuana border as well as from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada and Arizona borders. Visit www.scpga.com for more information.
About the Southern California PGA Foundation
The Southern California PGA Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and operates as a public foundation that strives to stimulate youngsters to begin their journey toward athletic as well as personal excellence. Through opportunities for academic, athletic, and personal growth, the Foundation seeks to interest a junior in the game of a lifetime and afford that girl or boy, regardless of race, social or economic standing, religious conviction or skill, the chance to enjoy access to lessons, clubs, and courses on which to practice and play. Through its various programs, the Southern California PGA Foundation’s goal is to make continued self- achievement possible for Southern California’s youth and produce a life-long player and lover of the game of golf.
About TGA Premier Junior Golf
TGA Premier Junior Golf (TGA) is the leading golf industry model bringing new players into golf and ensuring its future. Its franchise business model empowers entrepreneurs and PGA Professionals to activate youth (ages 3-13) and their parents (ages 25-45) at the grass roots level through introductory programs at elementary and middle schools, childcare centers and community centers. TGA’s curriculum focuses on instilling a passion and skill development of golf while incorporating life skills, character development, academic subjects, STEM core academics and physical activity. Introductory programs feed into recreational programs at golf courses that include camps and leagues. TGA has taught over 465,000 juniors and families while making the sport available to 1.5 million families nationwide. For more information about TGA Premier Junior Golf, visit www.playtga.com or follow @TGAJuniorGolf on Twitter.
Contact:
SCPGA
Ariana Gomez
(951) 845-4653
agomez@pgahq.com
TGA Premier Junior Golf
Kevin Frisch – Public Relations
(989) 614-0241
kevin@playtga.com