For Sam, Reid, Elias and Mauricio, four San Antonio high school golfers, golf was about so much more than competition. It was a way to spend time together, make memories and build lasting friendships on and off the course. Introduced to Youth on Course by a golf coach, the boys spent much of their middle and high school years taking advantage of the opportunity to play rounds of golf for $5.
“Youth on Course didn't just give me a way to practice the game I love, it introduced me to many people and I made some of my closest friends through the game of golf.” - Elias
As graduation approached, they realized those opportunities to play together might soon become less frequent as they headed off to college. So, they decided to celebrate with a unique adventure: a 10-day golf trip across multiple states, made possible by the access their Youth on Course memberships provided.
After months of planning, budgeting, researching the Youth on Course directory and booking tee times, the group departed from their homes in San Antonio and made their way to North Carolina to play their first round at Pinehurst No. 1. Their journey continued through South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana playing courses including The Golf Club at Quail Ridge, Southern Pines Golf Club, Springdale Country Club and Williams Creek Golf Course, sometimes squeezing in 36 holes in a single day!
“Being able to share the game while exploring new places brought us closer and made each course we played a special memory.” - Elias
“It was a really nice way to cap off years of friendship through middle and high school. It was really special to have one trip on our own and to be able to golf for just $30 total was really neat. I never would’ve believed that we would’ve gotten to go cross country as affordably as we did. It truly was such a special trip.” - Sam
After roughly 3,000 miles in the car, 6 rounds of golf, and some unforgettable exploring and sightseeing in the Great Smoky Mountains, the group headed back home with memories that will last a lifetime. And it all started with access.
As Youth on Course celebrates 20 years of impact, we’re proud to share stories like this and thank the 2,400+ golf courses that open their doors to our members. A $5 round can lead to so much more. Sometimes it’s frequent rounds close to home. And sometimes, it’s loading up the car and seeing just how far the game can take you.
Three of the four friends are heading off to college as freshmen this fall, beginning new chapters after years of friendship in San Antonio. We hope Mauricio, Elias and Sam are having a great start to their college experiences and wish them all the best in this next chapter.