By Steve Wilke
Michigan’s participation in the national Youth on Course initiative continues to grow. As of late September, the number of participants in the state jumped to over 4,400 young golfers — up more than 60 percent from 2017.
Some 25 percent of Youth on Course golfers are female.
Youth on Course is an initiative of the Golf Association of Michigan Foundation and part of its mission to make golf accessible to the broadest possible audience. Youth on Course allows golfers ages 6-18 to register for just $5, which grants them access to participating courses where they can play for $5 or less per round. The number of participating Michigan courses jumped to nearly 100 facilities, a more than 50 percent increase over 2017. 
Youth on Course and other “grow the game” initiatives such The First Tee and PGA Junior Leagues work hand-in-hand. Once youth get started in golf and learn its basic skills and core values, Youth on Course picks up from there, giving the players access to affordable golf.
“We teach life skills, character education, core values, a healthy lifestyle, and at the end, we’d like the kids to become golfers,” says Lisa Woodcox, executive director of The First Tee of Detroit. However, she notes, the cost of greens fees can be a limiting factor.
“We cannot provide on-course access for all of our participants,” she says. “Youth on Course provides an affordable avenue to get out on the golf course and actually enjoy the game. It’s making a difference.”
Last year, participants took advantage of more than 3,000 rounds of discounted golf. The rounds have doubled this season. And it’s making a difference across the state.
“We’re very passionate about junior golf here in Kalamazoo, and Youth on Course was a great fit for our facility,” says Dean Marks, a PGA of America Professional. “We’ve seen an increase in sales for sure.
“Getting those kids to play extra rounds outside of our programs has been very beneficial not only for us but I think all the area courses.”
The GAM Foundation’s Youth on Course initiative is part of a national program that’s growing in leaps and bounds. Nationally, state and regional golf association partnerships have increased 120 percent in the last 18 months. There are currently Youth on Course partnerships in 26 states.
According to the National Golf Foundation, golf is an $84.1 billion industry with golfers ages 6-17 making up 11 percent of all players. In 2017, 2.7 million juniors played golf, an increase of 12.5 percent since the last time this study was conducted in 2011.
Youth on Course has been promoted by the GAM Foundation, but some of its best results come from golf course operators who spread the news by “word of mouth.”
Take Joe LeFevre, general manager of the family-owned-and-operated Swan Valley and Crooked Creek golf courses in Saginaw.
“My wife and I are very proactive,” he says. “When golf teams came here for a regional tournament, I asked for the floor and told them about it. Every time a kid comes in we ask them to join. We have forms at the counter. We tell them to sign up for $5, then pay $5 for their round, and compare that to the cost of a normal round. It’s an easy sell. It’s a great deal and almost seems too good to be true.”
LeFevre says Youth on Course is a win-win for the long-term health of the game — and his courses. “I have an interest in them playing 10-12 rounds a season,” he says. “This program is helping my business. Kids play for less, but I still get compensated.”
The youth gain more than just a financial break. Golf teaches important social, mental, and physical skills, and Youth on Course has been very well received by parents, players, PGA professionals, the Michigan PGA, and The Michigan Golf Course Association.
“I think playing golf is very instructive for young people. Primarily, it’s getting them away from TVs and gadgets and cell phones and out into a beautiful environment of a golf course,” says Karen Peek, director of Golf Operations for Golf Detroit (which manages Rouge Park, Chandler Park, and Rackham golf courses for the City of Detroit).
“Some parents who don’t play actually will come here, sit down, and read a book while their youngster goes out and plays nine holes,” Peek adds. “I think they feel comfortable that they’re safe and that they’re having a good time. It’s an environment that I think is very safe, very welcoming, and very nurturing.”
Visit www.gam.org for more information or to donate to the GAM Foundation.
