2021 was an incredible year for the YOC community and Youth on Course as an organization. Our partners astounded us with their continued passion for growing the game through affordable access, YOC donors and supporters showed the power of community and connection, and of course, our members once again impressed us with their accomplishments on and off the golf course.
Here's a look back at some highlights from the year:
GolfNow Round Up Campaign Raised $1,000,000 for Youth on Course
We began the year by announcing our exciting new partnership with GolfNow and GolfPass! The GolfNow integration in the official YOC member app provides members with an easier and more convenient way to book YOC rounds, and the added benefit of a free year subscription to the GolfPass video library provides tools to improve their games.
And remember that stellar moment when Rory McIlroy presented Youth on Course members with a $1,000,000 check?! We sure do! It was all thanks to the thousands of GolfNow users who rounded up their subscriptions to help create #MoreMoments for YOC members.
Watch the #MoreMoments PSA video, which features clips from YOC members around the country!
Harold Varner III and Jennifer Kupcho Welcomed as First YOC National Ambassadors
Youth on Course established an exciting presence on both the PGA and LPGA Tours when Harold and Jennifer joined the YOC family as YOC Ambassadors. Both Harold and Jennifer wrote about their experiences coming up in junior golf and why they chose to support Youth on Course in this way.
“Youth on Course is a life-changing program for the golf industry. I’ve always been passionate about making the game more open and accessible and YOC has shown they share my goals. I’m so excited to be a part of the team and help make a difference for these kids.” - Harold Varner II
“Growing up, it was important to my family to be able to find affordable courses where we could play together, and a program like this is truly life changing for families in similar situations. I’m proud to represent Youth on Course and hope to spread awareness of this amazing program to help benefit more kids like me.” - Jennifer Kupcho
We Celebrated Our Community During #YOCWeek
This summer we capped off another #YOCWeek, our annual celebration of our community and mission. We focused on the ripple effect taking place in the lives of YOC members and the golf industry thanks to the support of donors and course partners who help us open doors and change lives. Our community shared stories and inspiration centered on the ways affordable access to golf is helping them establish deeper relationships, celebrate inclusion, play and improve and learn lessons for life while on the golf course.
1,500,000 - The # of hours YOC members spent on a golf course, instead of in their rooms or in front of a screen last year! Encourage yourself, your friends and loved ones to get on the course and enjoy the fun and important mental and physical benefits of golf!!! #YOCWeek #Play pic.twitter.com/lkxtkghagy
— Youth on Course (@yocgolf) July 21, 2021
20 Incredible YOC Members Realized Their Dreams Through the YOC College Scholarship Program
This year we granted close to $300,000 in scholarship awards to 20 incredible, deserving high school seniors. The average GPA of this outstanding group was 4.39, and six of the recipients will be playing golf at the collegiate level. These YOC members are among the brightest in the country and we, along with our scholarship donors, are proud to help them continue to work towards their dreams on and off the golf course.
CLICK HERE to watch some of the recipients receive the news of their awards.
YOC Scholarship recipient, Naree Philavanh, receives the news of her award via a video call.
2 YOC Members Became Tournament Champs at the Pure Insurance Open
Both junior champions at the Pure Insurance Open at Pebble Beach were YOC members through their local First Tee chapters! And of the 81 total junior competitors in the tournament, 51 of them were members of Youth on Course.
YOC Member Sydney from First Tee Monterey accepts trophy as the winner of the 2021 Pebble Beach ProAm.
The 100 Hole Hike Raised Nearly $2,000,000
254 brave hikers played 100 holes of golf at 26 different golf courses this year to help raise awareness and funds for YOC. The impact of this number is astounding, as it will fund hundreds of thousands of rounds for Youth on Course members.
Watch some video highlights from Hikes around North America:
Nearly 1,000 YOC Rounds were Played Through the TaylorMade DRIVE Club
YOC partnered with TaylorMade to provide further access to the game along with mentorship and support from industry professionals with the ultimate goal of increasing diversity amongst the golf industry at large. Almost 1,000 YOC rounds were played through this program!
Meet a few members of the DRIVE Club.
Some other notable moments from 2021 include:
- YOC member Megha Ganne competed in the U.S. Open
- Youth on Course became a national organization, when we officially expanded into all 50 states
- YOC caddies at the Barracuda Championship
- YOC Alumnus Austin Smotherman Earns PGA Tour Card
- YOC Member Luke W. Breaks Local Course Record
As we look ahead to 2022, we are so excited for the new ways that we can continue to serve the YOC community!