(PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.) – Youth on Course – the non-profit organization providing youth ages 6-18 access to opportunities through subsidized golf, college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program – partners with the Alabama Golf Association to introduce rounds for $5 or less in the State of Alabama.
Youth on Course (YOC) has been recognized by The Golf Channel and Golf Digest as a valuable step toward bridging the gap between youth instruction and consistent play throughout adulthood. Alumni of YOC have moved forward as collegiate golfers and influential members in the industry altogether.
The partnership between the Alabama Golf Association and Youth on Course opens the door for more than 2,000 golfers in Alabama ages 6-18 to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at participating facilities.
Funds raised by the Alabama Golf Association and the Youth on Course Alabama Board of Directors will go toward round subsidies as facilities across the state begin to adopt the initiative. To date, Youth on Course has subsidized over 950,000 rounds of golf.
Starting with courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the Alabama Golf Association will announce partner facilities as they join the effort. Golfers in Alabama can sign up for a Youth on Course membership here: www.youthoncourse.org/join.
“The Alabama Golf Association is committed to growing the game of golf in our state. Partnering with Youth on Course is our next step towards fulfilling that commitment,” says Andy Priest, executive director of Alabama Golf Association. “Youth on Course membership offers youth golfers from across the state very affordable facility access, not only in Alabama but nationally in participating states, along with opportunities for professional instruction, programming and competitions to provide a well-rounded golf experience.”
Young golfers that join the Youth on Course national network will gain access to golf for $5 or less at nearly 1,300 facilities nationwide, membership to their local state and regional golf association, ability to apply for college scholarships and the opportunity for paid internships.
“Alabama’s junior golfers will have unprecedented access to one of the top golf experiences in the south through the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail,” says David Baker, Youth on Course Board Chair. “We look forward not only to introducing accessible golf but making an impact on the community through opportunities to change lives.”
Born out of the Northern California Golf Association in 2006, Youth on Course subsidizes greens fees to remove cost as a barrier to entry for potential lifetime golfers. Operating in 36 states and Canada, more than 71,000 members have played close to one million rounds of golf while the organization has helped generate over $6.8 million in tee-time revenue back to individual golf courses.
“Through Youth on Course, the Alabama Golf Association will ensure that all young people in Alabama have access to play golf affordably,” said Michael Lowe, Vice President of Programs for Youth on Course, “That time on course helps young people develop social and emotional skills and relationships that will help them off the course and in their communities as well.”
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More information: 831.625.4653.
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. 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, close to one million rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and nearly $2 million has been raised for college scholarships. In the United States Youth on Course serves Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, 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 and Wisconsin with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2021.
The Alabama Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization founded in 1915 whose mission is to serve and promote amateur golf in Alabama. AGA membership consists of over 110 member clubs represented by over 19,000 individuals. The activities and services of the Alabama Golf Association are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of Alabama golfers who wish to serve the game and the association through service.
AGA is the USGA's Allied Golf Association to deliver core services in Alabama such as conducting national championship qualifying, administering the World Handicap System including the GHIN service, course & slope rating and education. The AGA annually conducts 23 championships and team match competitions for men, women, juniors, and seniors. The AGA also conducts Alabama high school golf championships and assists with many collegiate events including the SEC Men's Golf Championship. In addition to competitions, the AGA administers the AGA Women's Scholarship Fund that is dedicated to assisting young female golfers in higher education and supports the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation.
Since 1980, the AGA has managed the affairs of the Southern Golf Association which includes conducting the Southern Amateur Championship and Southern Junior Championship, in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the Southern Golf Association.
For more information about the Alabama Golf Association, visit www.alabamagolf.org.
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