Youth sports brand will merge TGA’s flagship golf program into its franchise platform
NEW YORK, New York — TGA Premier Sports (TGA), the largest youth sports franchisor specializing in junior golf and the go-to brand for introducing children to the game of golf through in-school- and community-based enrichment and camp programs, was acquired late in 2021 by Youth Athletes United, one of the largest youth sports and enrichment brands.
“We’re on a mission to become the largest and most encompassing youth sports organization in the country, with the goal of positively impacting more than 1 million kids each year,” said Adam Geisler, CEO and co-founder of Youth Athletes United. “With the acquisition of TGA, we’ve taken another step forward by adding 40 franchise owners and the extended curriculum for one of the most popular individual sports that impacts children.”
TGA focuses on athletes ages 6-14, providing introductory golf enrichment programs at schools, as well as parks and rec centers. TGA then partners with local golf courses and driving ranges (225+ nationwide) to bridge participants to more traditional recreational golf programs such as camps, parent/child events, clinics, and national programs like Drive, Chip, and Putt, Youth on Course, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and PGA Junior League.
“Eighteen years ago, TGA was founded with a vision that sports can change lives and a mission to create a pathway for our kids in communities nationwide to be introduced to the lifelong sport of golf,” said Joshua Jacobs, founder and board advisor at TGA. “Under Youth Athletes United, TGA franchisees and current and future TGA golfers have a greater platform and more resources to continue growing the sport of golf.”
According to a study by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, the sport of golf saw a 13.2% participation growth this past year. The additional curriculum and franchisees with a focus in these sports will help Youth Athletes United capture more category market share, as families spend $925 annually on golf for their kids, including approximately $364 for equipment further driving the $19 billion youth sports market and the demand for youth golf programming.
“As we think about our youth franchise platform, TGA is the perfect complement to Amazing Athletes and Soccer Stars,” said John Erlandson, president and co-founder of Youth Athletes United. “Where most of our current programs focus on early childhood development and the fundamentals of sports, TGA provides a clear curriculum-based pathway for our older players to be introduced to the sport of golf and continue learning sport-specific and life skills within our family of brands.”
The move impacts Youth Athletes United consumers, TGA franchise owners, and the golf industry. As a part of the acquisition, franchisees will be met with opportunities like the latest in technological offerings, a flexible work schedule, no required brick-and-mortar site, and a resilient business model that offers both afterschool and on-course classes that will further grow the sport and increase player development opportunities nationwide.
Laura Sappington, senior director of operations for TGA, said, “Having TGA within the Youth Athletes United franchise network, will generate strong growth opportunities for TGA golf franchisees thus increasing the overall reach of kids and families. What unites both brand’s is the shared passion of making sports like golf accessible for kids and the desire to make a positive impact on people and communities.”
For more information, visit https://www.franchisetga.com/.