Golf has the power to teach life lessons, build community, and create opportunity — but for many young people, the cost of playing can feel out of reach. Youth on Course is changing that by breaking down financial barriers and ensuring all youth have access to affordable rounds of golf. Thanks to a multi-year partnership with Bank of America, that mission is reaching farther than ever, including in Oklahoma City, where municipal courses are opening their fairways and giving thousands of youth an opportunity to experience the game.
Launched during the 2025 Masters Tournament, Bank of America’s Golf with Us initiative extends an open invitation for youth to experience golf in an accessible way. This year alone, more than 86,000 young people received a free Youth on Course membership through Golf with Us. With their membership they unlocked the ability to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at more than 2,300 courses nationwide. As part of this partnership, Bank of America is also funding the expansion of municipal courses in the Youth on Course network, ensuring new members have greater access to play.
Nowhere has that impact been more evident than in Oklahoma City, where municipal golf courses are seeing an incredible surge in junior participation. Five courses were added in partnership with Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation; Lake Hefner, Earlywine, and Lincoln Park, James E. Stewart and Trosper. Together these golf courses welcomed nearly 1,000 Youth on Course members who have played over 6,000 rounds so far this year, a level of access and engagement that simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support and investment of Bank of America. By funding the expansion of municipal courses and providing complimentary Youth on Course memberships through Golf with Us, Bank of America is helping to expand the mission of Youth on Course by breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of junior golfers to play, learn, and grow in the game.
Brad Sliauter, PGA and Director of Golf at Lake Hefner, shared his enthusiasm about the impact, “Youth on Course has been a tremendous addition to our programming here at Lake Hefner Golf Club. In just three months, overall junior rounds have increased 60% compared to the same period last year. This organization has helped us remove a huge barrier to the game for many junior players.”
At Lincoln Park Golf Course, Director of Golf Aaron Kristopeit said, “I’ve been here for 15 years and one thing we’ve lacked is youth participation, especially in the summertime. We’ve seen more kids this summer than we have since I started. It’s great to see the future of golf come out and play. Golf is a game you can play your entire life, and it’s great to see them start early so they can enjoy it for years to come.”
Earlywine Golf Club has seen similar results. BJ Howard, Head Golf Pro, said, “We’ve seen a big increase in junior activity, which is especially important during the summer when play usually dips. It’s great to get kids started early and grow the game of golf.” Director of Golf Dan Langford added, “Lowering the barrier for kids to play exposes them to golf’s social, competitive, and self-improvement aspects. Youth on Course has been well received and really helps kids experience all that golf has to offer.”
For youth like Katherine Cooper, the partnership has been life-changing. Katherine, who joined Youth on Course through the Golf with Us offer, spent her summer playing rounds at Lake Hefner, Lincoln Park, Earlywine, and others.
“I have loved using my Youth on Course membership this summer,” she said. “I am able to play so much more since the cost is dramatically lower. I have been meeting up with friends who all have Youth on Course memberships. It gives us a chance to really get a lot of practice rounds in and gives us something fun to do in the summer.”
Before joining Youth on Course, Katherine primarily played at her home course in Edmond and occasionally at Lincoln Park, where her high school golf team practices. Youth on Course allowed her to expand her access to play more courses, including Lake Hefner and Trosper, without worrying about cost. “I started playing in 7th grade through our school district and have since gotten more serious about the game. Youth on Course gave me an opportunity to come out with my friends and practice on courses where we compete in high school tournaments.”
Katherine has played three municipal courses with her Youth on Course membership and often plays with her friend Ashlyn, strengthening friendships along the way. “Golf has helped me get to know her better because you spend so much time together when playing. I also play with my brother sometimes,” she shared.
Golf has become more than just a sport for Katherine — it supports her physical and mental well-being, providing time outside, movement, and a mental break from being indoors all day. It also teaches lessons that carry over into her education: “Golf helps with my education because it teaches me that you can do anything and to always work hard.”
Looking ahead, Katherine hopes to continue improving her golf skills and dreams of achieving a successful career in life. For her, Youth on Course and the Bank of America Golf with Us initiative have provided not just access to courses, but a platform to grow, practice, and build meaningful relationships — all while gaining the life skills that golf uniquely provides.
The success in Oklahoma City came full circle when Bank of America hosted a Golf with Us Clinic at Lincoln Park Golf Course, bringing the community together to celebrate the game. Bank of America’s local team in Oklahoma City invited members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County to learn the fundamentals of golf, as well as life lessons and Better Money Habits from PGA TOUR player Austin Eckroat, members of the University of Oklahoma women’s golf team, and talented coaches. At the end of the clinic, all participants walked away with a free Youth on Course membership, giving them the opportunity to continue their golf journey at thousands of courses nationwide.
The partnership between Bank of America and Youth on Course is more than just golf. It’s about creating access, opportunity, and community. From affordable rounds at municipal courses to clinics that introduce new golfers to the sport, youth like Katherine can practice, grow, and thrive — while communities come together to support the next generation of golfers. By investing in municipal golf, Bank of America is helping young people discover not only the game but also lessons, friendships, and experiences that last a lifetime.