Affordable golf program eclipses 41,000 members, 900-plus courses in 26 states
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (Aug 5, 2018) – Youth on Course, the organization renowned for its record-breaking national growth to provide affordable golf access, continues remarkable growth with state and regional golf association partnerships increasing 120 percent in the last 18 months.
In 2018, more than 41,000 members are on pace to complete 115,000 rounds at 900-plus golf courses nationwide. Now in 26 states, this marks Youth on Course’s largest growth period to date, continuing their upward climb towards their goal of providing $5 golf to kids in all 50 states. At the end of 2017, Youth on Course had 30,000 members across 19 states.
“There are millions of kids interested in playing golf but might not have the opportunity,” says Adam Heieck, Youth on Course Executive Director. “As we continue expanding our membership and national footprint, we’re able to provide more young people with access to affordable golf, which is our ultimate purpose.”
According to the National Golf Foundation, golf is an $84.1 billion industry with golfers ages 6-17 making up 11% of all players. In 2017, 2.7 million juniors played golf, an increase of 12.5% since the last time this study was conducted in 2011. Youth on Course’s dedication to providing accessible golf has helped support these numbers by equipping young golfers with a reliable outlet to play consistently.
2018 partnerships include:
- Golf Association of Philadelphia
- Iowa Golf Association
- Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado
- Maryland State Golf Association
- Metropolitan Golf Association
- Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association
- North Dakota Golf Association
- South Dakota Golf Association
In addition to subsidized rounds, the organization also facilitates college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, Youth on Course has awarded 222 students with scholarships totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support. The current Youth on Course scholarship retention rate is ninety-eight percent, with 53 students already graduated.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members play hundreds of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the caddie and internship program, and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, nearly 650,000 rounds have been played by Youth on Course participants and more than $1.4 million has been raised for college scholarships.
Currently, Youth on Course serves Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2021.
