A record 64,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League last year with 3,100 scholarships awarded
ORLANDO, Fla. – While PGA Professionals nationwide are returning in person to the 2022 PGA Show this week, many are also preparing to be PGA Jr. League Coaches. Families can sign up for PGA Jr. League teams at PGAJrLeague.com starting Feb. 1.
Last year, a record 64,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League, led by 2,700 PGA Coaches nationwide. Year-end feedback from families regarding their local PGA Jr. League experiences resulted in a 73 percent Net Promoter Score (NPS). NPS is a standard consumer satisfaction metric that measures the degree to which people would recommend a company to others. Scores range from -100 to +100, with those above zero considered “good;” above 50 considered “excellent;” and above 70 considered “world class.”
“We’re immensely proud to watch our PGA Professionals create these exciting team-based experiences for tens of thousands of kids each year,” said PGA of America President Jim Richerson. “The expert coaching they provide through PGA Jr. League is undoubtedly bringing more youth to our sport, and because it’s such a welcoming experience, keeping them engaged for years to come.”
PGA Jr. League provides kids with expert PGA coaching, numbered jerseys and a team experience with their friends using a two-person scramble format that builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship. The program offers two age divisions: 13u (ages 13 and under, with minimum age varying by facility) and 17u (ages 14-17).
This year, the program is debuting several enhancements centered around helping PGA Coaches create more opportunities for more kids to play more golf. These include:
- A brand new, custom-built website and mobile app experience
- The introduction of an annual #GameChanger Club that better supports participation in multiple PGA Jr. League seasons throughout the year
- An expansion of the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season to provide more opportunities for both 13u and 17u All-Star players
“We are very much looking forward to supporting our PGA Coaches through improved technology, added flexibility and new possibilities,” said PGA of America Senior Director of Player Engagement Steve Tanner. “Our goal is to help them create value for themselves, their facilities and their customers through PGA Jr. League.”
WATCH: PGA Coach Katie Rudolph previews exciting updates to come for PGA Jr. League
National Car Rental was named the inaugural title partner of the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship season last year. PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012, National’s title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth for PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Last year, 3,100 scholarships were awarded to children who qualified for financial assistance or were from a military family. Additionally, thanks to donations made during player registration through the newly-launched PGA Jr. League Scholarship Fund, nearly 875 players were positively impacted through this avenue in 2021.
PGA Jr. League counts six world-renowned athletes as Ambassadors, all of whom are committed to growing youth golf. They include three-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry; Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion Alex Morgan; four-time Major Champion Rory McIlroy; U.S. Women’s Open Champion Michelle Wie West; five-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler; and eleven-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson.
The PGA Jr. League season officially begins March 1, though start and end dates vary by facility. PGA Coaches offer PGA Jr. League programs seasonally through the end of the year. Events hosted as part of the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season, which provides a fun and aspirational environment for the 15 percent of players who identify as competitive golfers, occur in the summer and fall and culminate with the 13u National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Oct. 5-9 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, which will air live on select ESPN networks for the second consecutive year.
About PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability. Visit PGAJrLeague.com for more information, and follow @PGAJrLeague on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About PGA REACH
PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to impact lives through golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org, follow @PGAREACH on Twitter and find us on Facebook.
About PGA of America
The PGA of America is one of the world’s largest sports organizations, composed of nearly 28,000 PGA Professionals who work daily to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. For more information about the PGA of America, visit PGA.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Media Contacts:
Michael Abramowitz PGA of America mabramowitz@pgahq.com (561) 624-8458
Hayley Wilson Alday PR hayley@aldaypr.com (865) 256-4295
