7 minute read
Youth Pillar Update
Learn about the Youth Programs in WNY
PGA Jr. League exists to bring communities together through fun, team golf experiences… plus those experiences that transcend golf itself, like friendships that last for years to come or a newfound sense of confidence. What started as an idea penned on a napkin while watching the Little League World Series has grown to more than 60,000 boys and girls on teams spanning all 50 states in 2019.
This unique approach highlights team play versus individual competition and serves as a feeder system to transition youth golfers to existing junior golf programs, such as those offered by local PGA Sections.
Watch Carlos stumble into PGA Jr. League while hunting Bigfoot. He quickly learns about the format, what it takes to be a great teammate, and why PGA Jr. League is even more fun than hunting mythical creatures!
Click on the video to see our new PGA Jr. League Ambassadors NBA star, Steph Curry, and U.S. Women’s Soccer star Alex Morgan.
In 1999 The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour was formed to provide an opportunity and atmosphere for juniors to enjoy the camaraderie, friendship, and sportsmanship of competitive golf at a series of premier venues throughout the Western New York Section of the PGA of America. Since the conception of The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour it has grown from 10 annual events to the current schedule of 36 events. Annually the membership is between 200 – 250 junior golfers that play approximately 2,000 rounds of competitive golf. Players in all divisions will compete in a season-long points race to qualify for the season-ending Junior Golf Tour Championship.
Since 1999 it has had over 4,500 members and over 25,000 rounds! It is recognized by Junior Golf Hub and Junior Golf Scoreboard two of the leading Junior Golf organizations in the country. The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour is the leader; most recognized and respected Junior Golf Competition in Western New York and we will continue to improve “The WNYPGA Junior Golf Tour Experience”. The WNYPGA Section is Most Proud of the fact that we have touched the lives of so many young ladies and gentlemen over the past 21 years. Through the Game of Golf we have instilled the life skills of honesty, integrity, competitiveness and camaraderie.
There are 354 Junior League Golfers across the WNYPGA Section.
The All Star teams competing are:
• Buffalo North • Buffalo South • Diamond League • Erie League • Glen Oak 13u League • Rochester 13u League
Friday, August 6th Regional Sub-
Oak GC
Sunday, SeptemRegional
Hill Country Club ber 19th
Glen
Oak
A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf.
Boys 16-18
2021 Player of the Year & Champion
Ethan Provino Mount Morris, NY
Girls 16-18
2021 Player of the Year & Champion
Raina Hoffmann
Ontario, NY
BOYS 13-15
2021 Champion:
Connor Kiel
Fairport, NY
2021 Player of the Year
Jackson Ormond
2021 Champion & Player of the Year:
Harper Dittman Fairport, NY
BOYS 9 Hole
2021 Champion & Player of the Year:
Fletcher Weins Rochester, NY
Girls 9 Hole
2021 Champion:
Jocelyn Wintersteen (Left) Cassadaga, NY Player of the Year: Delaney Abel (Right ) Corning,NY
The goal of WNYPGA Junior Golf Days is to offer young athletes the chance to grow their athleticism and expose young athletes to the game of golf. Instruction will be focused on Stage Two of the American Development Model (ADM), FUNdamentals, to develop skills for play focused on fun, inclusion and developmentally appropriate activities. Students age 5 to 9 will be exposed to driving, chipping, and putting through various activities and games while receiving instruction from top PGA Professionals in Western NY. • Courses serve Ages 5 to 9 years old • Free event for participants & open to the public (i.e. non-members at the golf facilities) • Each event is capped at 50 participants to ensure everyone’s safety & the quality of instruction • Masks are required at these events • The session will be 45 minutes in length • Equipment will be provided by the WNYPGA & PGA REACH WNY
Golf's new pathway is built on the principles of the American Development Model (ADM), a proven, longterm athlete development model that has been successfully applied to USA Hockey, USOC, USA Basketball and USA Lacrosse. American Development Model was designed by sports scientists to help support a lifetime affinity to sports, and to develop athletes to their greatest potential. These principles align physical and psychological development to stages, delivering appropriate skills and exercise at the appropriate time.
Physical and physiological development is broken into 7 stages. Using this strategy, the right skills, exercises, and instruction can be delivered at the right time, leading to success for your students. The goal of the ADM is to engage athletes in a way that will retain students in their sports, such as golf. Learn more at PGA.Coach
Learn more about Junior Golf in Western NY here: https://westernnewyork.pga.com/junior-golf/
