PGA Jr. League offers a significant win-win opportunity for both coaches and players. For coaches, it presents a chance to cultivate a welcoming golf community, introduce new players to the game and make a positive impact on young lives – all while creating additional revenue streams for themselves and their facilities. For players, it provides a platform to learn the game in a fun, friendly environment that emphasizes the values of sportsmanship and teamwork.
In recent years, PGA Jr. League has been growing in popularity, particularly with the introduction of off- season programming. Many PGA and LPGA Professionals find themselves under significant pressure during peak summer months, managing various responsibilities such as tournament operations, inventory and staff training. These demands can make it challenging to also run PGA Jr. League programs during the busy summer period. Fortunately, PGA Jr. League is a year-round opportunity.
The emergence of indoor simulator leagues has enabled many young golfers to engage with the sport throughout the winter. Brian Tolnar, PGA, the Director of Golf at Mill Creek Park Golf Course in Boardman, Ohio, for example, has experienced remarkable growth with his winter indoor programs (pictured).
“We offer two great off-season 17u PGA Jr. League programs at our Indoor Player Development Center,” says Tolnar. “One program runs in November and December, and the other from January through March.
“We open it to players ages 10–17 and the programs have grown so much that we now have 14 total teams for those two programs.”
Tolnar names the teams after prominent local attractions such as Lake Glacier, Lanterman’s Mill and Ford Nature Center to provide some local history and flavor to the teams.
“After we started hosting winter programs, we saw a substantial increase to our summer programs,” he adds. “We had two summer teams for several years in a row, but after starting our winter programs, we expanded to four summer teams now and offer a large in-house league. The winter success carried over into increased summer success.”
Tolnar was quick to point out the many benefits of hosting PGA Jr. League year-round at his facility.
“PGA Jr. League at Mill Creek has been a driver for not only junior golf here, but it has also served as a great feeder system for the Metro Parks Par 3 leagues, summer golf camps, Drive, Chip & Putt local fields and for the local area high school teams,” he explains. “Mill Creek is recognized as a strong supporter of junior golf within our community and that not only provides a positive reputation for our facility, but it also generates additional rounds and revenue for our golf courses.”
Indoor leagues can attract an entirely new group of players compared to summer programs. Consider children who participate in sports like baseball during the warmer months and are unavailable for summer PGA Jr. League, as winter programming can be an excellent fit for their schedule. By offering these opportunities, PGA of America Golf Professionals such as Tolnar aren’t just bringing new golfers into the fold, they’re also sparking a lifelong love for the game that doesn’t depend on the season.
A common concern for not offering fall or winter programs is that kids are busy with other sports during these months. However, it’s worth questioning whether these children participate in other sports out of preference or simply because golf typically isn’t offered. Now is an opportune moment to explore whether you can successfully run a fall or winter league at your facility. The results might just surprise you.
Kim Shafer, PGA/LPGA, is a PGA of America Senior Player Engagement Consultant serving the Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Tri-State and Wisconsin Sections. She can be reached at kshafer@pgahq.com or (561) 657-5372.
