NGA's Youth on Course Aids Junior Golf Participation in 2020
Organization Dedicated to Changing Lives Achieves 12,488 Rounds Played, 35% Membership Increase in Nebraska
OMAHA (August 11, 2020) — The Nebraska Golf Association — in collaboration with Youth on Course, the non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors, supporting dreams and transforming the lives of young people through opportunities on and off the golf course – has experienced a significant rise in junior golf member participation. Together the organizations have helped Youth on Course reach notable milestones including one million rounds completed nationally. Of those, 184,418 have been played in the first two quarters of 2020 alone and 12,488 in the state of Nebraska.
Youth on Course membership in Nebraska has seen a significant surge with more than 1,000 new members joining the Nebraska Golf Association with access to 37 courses across the state. Notable inclusions include all Lincoln and Omaha city courses, Stone Creek GC and Pacific Springs GC in Omaha, Indianhead GC and Jackrabbit Run GC in Grand Island, where rounds start at $5 with a Youth on Course membership. Lincoln's Jim Ager GC and Omaha's Eagle Run GC and Stone Creek GC have logged the most rounds in 2020, all totaling over 2,000 rounds.
Committed to making the game more appealing, inclusive and accessible to nurture the next generation of lifelong players and lovers of the game, Youth on Course helps 95,000 young people across North America succeed.
"In these strange times, golf has been an outlet here in our state, and it's just incredible to see so many juniors and their families getting out to play lots of golf," NGA Executive Director Craig Ames said. "Junior golf has never been as strong in Nebraska as it is right now, and with programs like Youth on Course, the future of the game is bright."
Youth on Course puts their members’ lives on a different trajectory by providing off-course growth and learning experiences including paid internships, a scholarship program and caddying opportunities. In 2020, the organization awarded 19 members with scholarships to support their college dreams. More than 70% of scholarship recipients are minorities and over 42% of scholarships awarded in 2020 were to members set to be the first in their family to attend college. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, 260 Youth on Course members have been awarded with scholarships totaling close to $2 million in financial support. The current scholarship retention rate is ninety-three percent.
“Whether it’s more patience, problem solving or building relationships, we know the golf course is a safe space for young people to connect and grow,” says Michael Lowe, vice president of programs for Youth on Course. “We’re bridging the gaps for families at every income level by encouraging them to play together and take advantage of the benefits both on and off the course.”
Youth on Course puts their members’ lives on a different trajectory by providing off-course growth and learning experiences including paid internships, a scholarship program and caddying opportunities. In 2020, the organization awarded 19 members with scholarships to support their college dreams. More than 70% of scholarship recipients are minorities and over 42% of scholarships awarded in 2020 were to members set to be the first in their family to attend college. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, 260 Youth on Course members have been awarded with scholarships totaling close to $2 million in financial support. The current scholarship retention rate is ninety-three percent.
Fueling the golf industry, Youth on Course subsidizes rounds for members and puts money back into the state organizations and courses. The organization’s structure helps golf courses fill typically unused tee times and garner additional revenue with more than 40% of members playing with paying adults. The amount reimbursed back to participating courses has almost doubled in the past year reaching close to $400,000 this year alone and totaling nearly $8 million dating back to 2005.
From Aug. 10-14, Youth on Course will celebrate #YOCWeek to reintroduce the organization through a rebranding launch and to raise awareness for their life-changing efforts. To follow along, visit Youth on Course’s website and social channels throughout the week for updates.
About the NGA
The Nebraska Golf Association, founded in 1966, is comprised of all members of public and private clubs and/or municipal or regional golf associations which utilize an approved handicap service recognized by the USGA and provided by the NGA. Our mission is to uphold and promote the game of golf and its values to all golfers in Nebraska. Among the duties of the Association include governance of member clubs and service as their handicapping and course rating authority, conduct of state golf championships, local USGA qualifying & other notable competitions, promotion of junior golf, presentation of worthwhile educational programs and support of allied golf organizations in Nebraska. The Nebraska Golf Association is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA and carries out core services including Handicap Administration and Oversight, Course Rating, Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, Tournaments and USGA Championship Qualifiers and USGA Initiatives and Community Programs.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to help young people grow and succeed both on and off the course by providing opportunities to play, learn, grow, and build relationships through affordable, inclusive access to play. Members play thousands of courses for $5 or less, benefit from career opportunities 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, more than one million rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and nearly $2 million has been awarded in college scholarships. Across North America, Youth on Course serves Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and parts of Canada.
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More information: 831.625.4653.
