ARIZONA NEWS
JUNIOR GOLF JGAA, SWPGA help kids get in the game Y
outh sports are as popular as ever, and it seems like the opportunities continue to grow. From jiu-jitsu to
yoga, baseball to football, there’s no shortage of options. The game of golf is one of the best. Here’s why and, more important, how to get started with a lifetime of enjoyment. Golf encourages the positive side
of personal development. Tenets such as sportsmanship, honesty, respect and perseverance are woven into its fabric. Players keep their own scores, assess penalties on themselves and even root for their competitors. Although this hardly exhausts the
list of reasons why golf is a great sport for kids, let’s move on to the important part, getting them started. In Arizona that leads straight to the Southwest PGA Foundation (SWPGAF) and the Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA). These two organizations have been coaching junior golfers for decades, and in 2016 they decided to assume co-leadership roles. “Passing the game to the next
generation has always been one of the primary components of our Association’s mission,” said Michael Miller, executive director of the Southwest Section PGA. “Our new partnership with the JGAA supports this mission in a way that allows us to focus on the developmental side while they work primarily with tournament-ready juniors.” As Miller mentioned, the SWPGAF
focuses more on game introduction through golf schools, junior camps, PGA Junior League Golf, Drive Chip & Putt, Firebirds Club and the Antigua Junior Prep Tour. Drive Chip & Putt offers a timely example of a local Valley junior golf success story. Scottsdale’s Mason Quagliata advanced through qualifying to earn a place in the national finals, which will be
30 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING 2017
From left, Gavin Cohen, Charlie Beljan, Trevor Lampson and Michael Feagles display the results from the tournament named after the PGA Tour pro.
broadcasted live by Golf Channel at Augusta National on the Sunday before the Masters. Good luck, Mason! April also happens to be Junior
Golf Month when PGA Professionals across the Valley are encouraged to put their own twist on this fundraising program at their clubs to benefit
and girls ages 13 and under to learn and enjoy the game in a recreational league. Participants don colorful jerseys and play a low-pressure scramble format on teams. PGA Junior League Golf looks much like the Little League World Series, with local and regional qualifiers leading up to the championship held locally at Grayhawk in November. “The partnership with the Southwest
Arizona junior golf. Promotions may vary from putting it on your bill at a private club to dropping a few bucks into a donation jar at your favorite muni, so call ahead for details. It’s also time to get juniors signed
up for PGA Junior League Golf — a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys
PGA has really helped to clarify the first step for entry-level juniors as well as accomplished players,” said Scott McNevin, executive director of the JGAA. “This coordination helps juniors easily find the best level of participation for their abilities and goals within the game, whether it’s playing competitively against Arizona’s best or just having fun with friends.” n
For more information, visit
jgaa.org.
www.azgolf.org
COURTESY JGAA
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