(WHEELING, W.Va.) – Oglebay – West Virginia’s most popular golf destination set amid the peaceful Appalachian foothills – announces expanded junior golf programs this summer.
The First Tee
Led by Head Golf Professional Shane Rice, The First Tee of West Virginia will offer multiple programs to area youth at Oglebay.
For children ages 5 – 6, the Little General Juniors teaches children the fundamentals of golf. For children ages 7 and up, the PLAYer level establishes the foundation for them to become lifelong PLAYers of golf. New in 2018, Oglebay will introduce the PAR level for the initial PLAYer class who has since graduated.
PGA Junior League
With 42,000 participants in 2017 and ambassadors including Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Richie Fowler and Lexi Thompson, the PGA Jr. League has wide-ranging appeal for youth and their parents.
In 2018, Oglebay will host teams that play four 9-hole matches in two-person scrambles along with coaching from PGA Professionals. The team concept and ability for coaches to substitute players reaffirms that each child will play.
Kids Play Free
Juniors 17 years of age and younger play FREE after 3 p.m. daily when accompanied by a paid adult at Speidel Golf Club (Palmer & Jones Courses), Crispin Golf Course and Bloch Memorial at Wheeling Park.
“The implementation and success of our junior programs is vital to the future health of our facility,” says Shane Rice. “With the support of Billy Casper Golf, The Oglebay Foundation, Oglebay Resort and several volunteers, we have quickly grown our junior program participant numbers and foresee this progress continuing for years to come.”
Jobs for Juniors
The Yates Family Youth Lifetime Sports Foundation and Vaden Children’s Farm Trust will continue to fund work-training programs throughout Wheeling Park that employ over 200 youth every year.
The “Jobs for Juniors” mentorship-type program helps financially constrained children participate in golf, tennis, soccer, hockey or baseball lessons.
“The Wheeling Park Commission’s ‘Jobs for Juniors’ program has proven to be an important introduction for young children, teaching them the basics in quality work ethic,” says GM, Golf Operations Danny Ackerman. “Oglebay’s junior programs managed by our professional staff give youth in the Ohio Valley a head start in being a part of this great game and Oglebay Park for years to come.”
Oglebay Summer Junior Golf Camp
Open to children ages 7 – 18, each age group will meet one day per week for six weeks, then conclude with a final tournament for all campers.
Oglebay’s PGA Professionals will teach participants healthy habits, the rules of golf, physical and strategic warm-ups, guidance during range sessions and coaching while playing the par 3 course.
Rice goes on to add, “We are growing the game by introducing golf to regional youth and teaching children core values that will make them the kind of golfer we want to patronize our facilities. By offering different programs throughout the year and making them relevant to all skill levels, we have captivated the beginner to the tournament player.”
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More information: 877.436.1797
About Oglebay
Situated in the rolling hills of the Ohio Valley in Wheeling, W.Va., Oglebay offers exceptional overnight accommodations, world-class amenities and over 2,000 acres of year-round recreational opportunities. Oglebay is best known for golf as the resort presents four courses, including two championship layouts at the Speidel Golf Club. Accommodations include the 258-room Wilson Lodge, quaint cottages and spacious estate houses. With over 20,000 square feet of meeting space spread over 15 rooms, Oglebay offers all the amenities to meet today’s business demands and provides an ideal setting for training programs and corporate retreats.
About Billy Casper Golf
Billy Casper Golf is one of the largest privately-owned golf course management companies in the U.S., with nearly 150 properties in 29 states. Headquartered in Reston, Va. – with regional offices across America – BCG has more than 25 years of results-driven expertise. The company specializes in full-service course management as well as assistance in specific segments of the golf business, including course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations, food and beverage, merchandising, golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management.
BCG continues to evolve the golf experience through customized solutions and innovative programs like the annual World’s Largest Golf Outing – a national golf fundraiser conceived by BCG Chairman and CEO Peter Hill. The company recently launched its newest management solution, Billy Casper Signature, as a boutique division focused on country club, resort and private club management.
More information: billycaspergolf.com
Contact:
Pate Clarson | Buffalo.Agency
703.761.1444 ext. 1051, pclarson@buffalo.agency
