Youth Development
The Youth Development Pillar of the PGA REACH COLORADO Foundation seeks to improve and advance opportunities for youth.
Introduction to the sport at an early age has proven to provide great opportunities in the areas of education, health and wellness, and character building. The PGA REACH COLORADO Foundation programming will try to ensure that cost doesn’t prohibit youth from entering the sport and will serve as a central role in the golf industry’s effort to introduce the sport to youth of all ages and backgrounds in a safe, fun environment.
Colorado PGA Junior Golf Tours
Through the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation, our mission is to create learning and playing opportunities for individuals of all ages and skill levels throughout the Colorado PGA Section. We strive to provide opportunities to those juniors who possess the potential skill and aspirations to compete at the high school or collegiate level, in addition to those who are new to the game. We aim to utilize golf as a vehicle to instill values such as integrity, honor, and patience. Colorado PGA Junior Golf strives to foster and develop these values that will positively impact our member’s character on and off the golf course.
Golf in Schools
Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program is an introductory program at absolutely no cost to the students and no cost to the schools. The program, in partnership with the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, has been bringing golf to schools since 2008 where more than 100,000 kids have been introduced to the game in over 160 schools.
The program is built on the synergy created between the participating school, the PGA of America Golf Professional, and the host Golf Facility. The program offers:
- 3 days of high-quality instruction by PGA Professionals or physical education experts where the children are – at school using golf and near golf equipment.
- Transition for the children from the school to the golf facility on a field trip to experience the game in its intended setting.
- Opportunities for continued engagement in the host facility’s youth golf programs
- A setting to incorporate STEM education through a partnership with the Golf Course Superintendent.
Colorado PGA Golf in Schools is supported by the Colorado Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness, and the curriculum has been developed, in part, by our partnership with youth development and education experts with Aurora Public Schools.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Junior Golf Manager, Davyon Collins at dcollins@pgahq.com.
PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League is committed to enriching lives through experiences that transcend golf. What started as an idea scribbled on a napkin has grown to over 75,000 kids playing on teams nationwide. While the program has evolved to include expanded age divisions, year-round play and an enhanced All-Star experience for competitive players, the commitment to our values of Safety, Care and Organization remains steadfast.
PGA Jr. League is shifting the way youth golf is learned and played, including the adoption of league play, team golf and scoring with flags and points. All of these unique elements are further explained below.
Behind each and every PGA Jr. League team is a PGA Coach providing a safe, caring and organized environment for every child to become (and stay) a golfer. These experts in the game are provided with flexibility to create a coaching program that works best for their players and families.
Easily one of the best parts of PGA Jr. League is the team component! All kids will be a part of a local team that may consist of anywhere from four or more players.
We believe that every child can be a golfer. All skill levels are welcome, and no prior golf experience is required to participate in the program.
PGA Jr. League includes two age divisions: 13u and 17u.
Drive, Chip and Putt
Drive, Chip & Putt is a free junior golf competition designed to grow the game by honing three essential skills. Open to kids ages 7-15, it fosters creativity and competition through nationwide qualifiers. Top performers advance to the National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, held the Sunday before the Masters Tournament.
A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf.
By tapping the creative and competitive spirit of girls and boys ages 7-15, Drive, Chip and Putt provides aspiring junior golfers an opportunity to play with their peers in qualifiers around the country. Participants who advance through local, sub-regional and regional qualifying in each age/gender category earn a place in the National Finals, which is conducted at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and is broadcast live by Golf Channel.
Local qualifying is typically available in all 50 states.
Impacting the lives of others through the game of golf