When PGA Junior League originated approximately 6 years ago, Treetops was all in with the development program that many call the best junior golf initiative introduced in decades.
Treetops has since demonstrated that the same format has proven to work extremely well for adults too, especially in its support of active military and veteran initiatives – which in 2017 earned the player development leadership award from the Michigan Golf Course Association. 
Treetops created its own PGA Junior League and it flourished year after year. The fruit of this labor showed when the Gaylord High School golf team reached a top 5 ranking in the state with many team members being graduates of Treetops’ league.
The scramble/match-play format is extremely conducive to introducing new players to the game while not boring those that are a little more seasoned. It seems to be the perfect balance – and a format Golf Director Kevin McKinley believed would work for a cross section of adults as well; adult heroes and their family members he wanted to give back to.
Thanks to a grant from the Otsego County Community Foundation, the idea was to create a league (not free but inexpensive) that allowed veterans, active military and their spouses to enjoy golf or golf instruction in a non-intimidating environment. The results reached beyond expectations.
Using the PGA Junior League format, Treetops formed four teams of 10-11 players each (which grew to 12-14 players by the season’s end). Treetops arranged 9-hole matches on each of its award-winning courses every other Wednesday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Golfers earned points for their teams. On alternating weeks, they received a clinic on a different topic from PGA Director of Instruction Joe Charles. Each player received a team shirt and they proudly wore it even on instruction nights.
The program has helped military men and women both physically and mentally and Treetops is willing to help other courses replicate the program.
