Crystal Morse, PGA,Head Professional,The Legends Golf Club,Franklin, Indiana
PGA Jr. League is about far more than refining young swings. At its core, it’s about teaching kids how to think, communicate and manage the game as a team.
At The Legends Golf Club in Greenwood, Indiana, Head Professional Crystal Morse, PGA, oversees a PGA Jr. League program that runs across spring, summer and fall seasons, with up to 60 juniors participating in the 13u and 17u divisions. With so many players involved, structured and intentional practice sessions are essential for both individual skill development and team success.
“Deliberate practice is a well-known concept for individual improvement, but it’s just as critical in a team setting,” says Morse, the national 2024 PGA of America Player Development Award recipient. “Juniors need opportunities to develop their communication skills, course management and decision-making under pressure.
“Structuring practices (pictured right) in a way that encourages teamwork helps create more of a true game-like environment.”
To enhance both player development and social engagement, juniors at The Legends are grouped by age and rotated through different practice stations. This structure not only allows for focused skill” work, but also helps players build camaraderie, an essential component of a team-based format. When teammates are comfortable with each other in practice (pictured below), they are more likely to communicate effectively during competition.
According to Morse, this method leads to stronger program retention and overall growth. To support instruction and supervision, she incorporates local college players, high school athletes and middle school coaches as mentors during practices.
“They serve as role models while also helping to reinforce my coaching points,” says Morse. “This helps take some of the pressure off me and my staff, while serving as a benefit to both the PGA Jr. Leaguers and the volunteers. Many times, they’re in search of ways to give back or log community service.”
In addition to structuring practices efficiently, Morse also leverages PGA of America player development tools to streamline operations.
“PGA Coach is a fantastic resource,” she says. “It provides ADM certification, program registration and practice structure, while also serving as a platform for organizing RSVPs, processing payments and communicating with families.
“Having everything in one place makes it easier to run a well-organized program.”
