The State (and future) of Youth Golf Development Programs
The future of golf is of course going to be built on the success of junior golf. However, youth golf has often been criticized for little organization, poor public access and no clear developmental pathways.
Compare that to other youth sports like baseball, soccer, football where there exists a clear map of progression for access and development. Think T-ball to Little League, after school club soccer, AAU basketball, travel league lacrosse and high school football.
The case for growing the sport of junior golf got a shot in arm when Golf returned to the Olympics. The IOC requires participating countries to have a sports development model to support youth access and development. To answer the call, a mix of formal and informal partnerships have stitched together an ecosystem of touchpoint to fill and address a number of issues that have historically handicapped youth development programs:
- Transportation
- Equipment
- Access
- Affordability
- Instruction
- Scholarship
- After school programs
- League play
Somoe of the key players in Junior Golf Development Programs include, but are not limited to: Operation 36, The First Tee, AJGA, Future Champions League, Girls Golf, Project Play, and many more. In today’s episode of The GIR, we make room at the table for three key players in the Junior Golf ecosystem:
- PGA Jr. League – Steve Tanner, Director of League Golf
- TGA Premier Sports – Joshua Jacobs, CEO & Founder
- Youth on Course – Adam Heieck, CEO
Listen Here:
Watch & Learn:
More From Our Guests:
About PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League is a game-changing program that brings family and friends together around fun, team golf experiences with expert coaching from PGA and LPGA Professionals. Boys and girls of all backgrounds and skill levels wear numbered jerseys and play on co-ed teams with their friends, competing in a two-person scramble format that builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship. The program has the support of some of the biggest names in sports — Official Ambassadors include Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson, who were recently joined by three-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry and Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion Alex Morgan. 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 interested kids in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit PGAJrLeague.com.
About TGA Premier Sports
TGA Premier Sports (TGA) is a leading introductory and recreational youth sports program delivery system for Golf, Tennis, Cheerleading, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Lacrosse, Ultimate, and Volleyball). Through an innovative franchise business model, TGA empowers passionate entrepreneurs to impact the lives of youth and families by bringing youth sports enrichment programs into their communities. TGA is the first youth sports franchise company to align with the American Development Model (ADM) created by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which stress the importance of age-appropriate activities that emphasize motor and foundational skill development, multi-sport participation, as well as a progressively challenging atmosphere. For more information about TGA Premier Sports, visit www.playtga.com or follow @TGA_Sports on Twitter.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to help young people grow and succeed both on and off the course by providing opportunities to play, learn, grow relationships and provide affordable, inclusive access to play. More than 100,000 members play thousands of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the caddie and internship program and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, more than one million rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and nearly $2 million has been raised for college scholarships. Across North America, Youth on Course serves Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and parts of Canada. YouthOnCourse.org | Facebook | Instagram
