In 2016, the PGA Tour donated more to charitable causes than the MLB, NFL, NBA & NHL, combined. Golfers must be inherently charitable - and Philip Norfleet, Managing Director of The Napa Valley Reserve agrees.
Thanks to Philip, Youth on Course has been honored to hold the annual Club Cup dinner at The Napa Valley Reserve, for the last five years.
Located in the heart of Napa Valley, The Napa Valley Reserve was founded by H. William Harlan in 2000 and is directed by Norfleet. The Reserve produces some of the best wines in the world and has approximately 600 members in 37 states and 11 countries.
“We foster an environment of lifelong learning with a focus on winemaking and all aspects of the enjoyment of fine wine,” Philip explained. “Our annual Curricular Calendar offers Members the chance to participate in comparative tastings and trips to wine regions around the world with a concentration on art, history, music and science, as we believe wine connects people with all of these subjects.”
Philip has long been involved in the golf industry. He first started playing when he was a team member of Golden Bear Golf Design. Over the years, he has worked with and developed some of the most recognizable clubs with Chambers Development Corporation, Jack Nicklaus Development, and Paloma Golf Group.
Philip's passion for wine evolved during the twenty years he was building and developing private golf clubs nationally and internationally.
“At the great clubs," says Philip, "the quality of the dining experience is second only to the quality of the fairways. So, fine dining and the enjoyment of wine became an aspect of club development that I embraced wholeheartedly."
Philip’s favorite courses and golf memories have come from playing at San Francisco Golf Club, Cypress Point Club, Augusta National Golf Club and The Misquamicut Club.
Philip's golf club development culminated in Sonoma County with the construction of Mayacama Golf Club, where the team successfully enlisted 25 Vintner Members and instituted a wine program that became integral to the character of the club. Recruited from Mayacama by Harlan in 2003, Philip came to The Napa Valley Reserve as Director as the contractor was just breaking ground.
He first got involved with Youth on Course through a good friend, golf buddy, and President of the Youth on Course board, Bill Hammonds. They have played golf together across the U.S.
Growing the game is important and Youth on Course believes that getting youth playing golf affordably is key. Philip enjoys meeting the youth of the game and watching them grow into young adults.
“Growing the game promotes the values that the game represents; honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, courtesy, judgment and perseverance.” Philip said.
Youth on Course has expanded to 14 states and hopes to be in all 50 states by 2021.
“The future of any sport or business lies in the next generation and the participation of youth,” Philip said. “Youth on Course is a program benefitting young people of the game, which enables them to participate at a level higher than they would without our support.”
Thank you to The Napa Valley Reserve and Philip Norfleet for your continued support.
For those of you thinking about donating or supporting Youth on Course - “Give big! It’s all for the kids and their future.” – Philip Norfleet