FRISCO, Texas – The PGA of America REACH Foundation, in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and PGA TOUR Superstore, announced 32 First Tee chapters to be awarded funding to create PGA Jr. League programming.
The funding, which comes from a previously announced $7.6 million grant to the PGA of America REACH Foundation by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will provide 6,000 PGA Jr. League Scholarships and expanded access to the sport for First Tee participants over the next three years.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and PGA TOUR Superstore to support these First Tee chapters as they bring more young people to PGA Jr. League,” said Phil Anderson, PGA, Chief Operating Officer of the PGA of America. “With junior golf participation reaching record heights, our mission is to ensure that every child who wants to play has a clear and supported path to the game.
“These grants remove any barriers to entry for First Tee participants and put our PGA of America Golf Professionals at the forefront of fostering a love for golf.”
“Junior golfers are discovering the game in more ways than ever before, thanks to development programs like PGA Jr. League that are making golf more accessible, engaging and fun for young players,” said Ralph Stokes, Vice President, Partnerships and Community Relations, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We are proud to partner with PGA of America REACH and the First Tee and are committed to the positive impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth.”
First Tee Chapters to receive funding:
-
First Tee — Augusta; Georgia PGA Section
-
First Tee — Central Ohio; Southern Ohio PGA Section
-
First Tee — Coachella Valley; Southern California PGA Section
-
First Tee — Connecticut; Connecticut PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Austin; Southern Texas PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Dallas; Northern Texas PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Detroit; Michigan PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Houston; Southern Texas PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater New Orleans; Gulf States PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Richmond; Middle Atlantic PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater St. Louis; Gateway PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Trenton; New Jersey PGA Section
-
First Tee — Greater Wichita; Midwest PGA Section
-
First Tee — Fort Worth; Northern Texas PGA Section
-
First Tee — Four Corners (NM); Sun Country PGA Section
-
First Tee — Hawaii; Aloha PGA Section (2)
-
First Tee — Indiana; Indiana PGA Section (2)
-
First Tee — Miami; South Florida PGA Section
-
First Tee — Minnesota; Minnesota PGA Section
-
First Tee — Naples/Collier; Southern Florida PGA Section
-
First Tee — Northern Michigan; Michigan PGA Section
-
First Tee — Northern Nevada; Northern California PGA Section
-
First Tee — Oregon; Pacific Northwest PGA Section
-
First Tee — Pine Mountain; Kentucky PGA Section
-
First Tee — Southeastern New Mexico; Sun Country PGA Section
-
First Tee — Triad; Carolinas PGA Section
-
First Tee — Tucson; Southwest PGA Section
-
First Tee — Upstate (SC); Carolina PGA Section
-
First Tee — West Michigan; Michigan PGA Section
-
First Tee — Western New York; Western New York PGA Section
“We are grateful for the support of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, PGA TOUR Superstores and PGA of America and their investment in this program,” said Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee. “As a youth development organization that provides character development and life skills through golf, it is a wonderful opportunity to expand access to our participants who want to take the next step in the game.”
The new PGA Jr. League programs will be operated by PGA of America Golf Professionals in partnership with First Tee Chapters. To receive the grant, each First Tee Chapter submitted an application that was reviewed by a panel of representatives. Funding will provide course access, equipment, uniforms and PGA of America Golf Professional coaching at no cost to participants.
PGA Jr. League brings families and friends together around fun, team golf experiences for kids with expert PGA coaching. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends, competing in a two-person scramble format that builds confidence and encourages sportsmanship.
In 2025, the National Golf Foundation reported 4 million junior golfers, those between the ages of 6-17, played on a golf course for the first time. That number is a 9 percent increase from 2024 and a 58 percent increase from 2019.
As the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, the mission of the PGA of America REACH Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and underserved communities by enabling access to PGA of America Golf Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf.
To learn more about the PGA of America REACH Foundation, please visit PGAREACH.org.