Golf teaches important social, mental and physical skills. However there’s one fundamental problem that golf can’t seem to solve—it’s always been considered a luxury sport that most parents can’t afford to give their kids.
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Headquartered in Pebble Beach at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in California, Youth on Course gives kids ages six to 18 the opportunity to play golf, with the hope that young golfers will become adult golfers, and all for just $5 or less.
In 2006 the Northern California Golf Association, Youth on Course, began as the NCGA Foundation as a way for Northern California kids to have accessibility to golf. Within five years, the program was thriving, and opportunities were created for kids to join caddie programs, participate in paid high school internships and be offered scholarships to college.
The demand grew so quickly that the NCGA Foundation reimagined the program as a nationwide initiative and changed the name to Youth on Course.Today junior golfers across 22 states and 650 courses can play golf at hundreds of participating courses.
Youth on Course has subsidized more than 600,000 rounds of golf, hired more than 115 interns and 362 caddies and awarded $257,000+ in annual scholarships. And with the financial barrier removed, more kids have access to the game.
“Youth on Course drives competition and makes kids play more. We’re trying to provide access to opportunities and that’s what [the program] is all about.”— Adam Heieckm, Executive Director, Youth on Course. To learn more go here.
Photos courtesy Youth on Course
