Tee Up, Young America!
One of the fastest-growing co-ed sports in America is golf. With young players such as Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie, golf is becoming as popular among boys and girls as soccer. Many high schools now have golf not only as a co-curricular sport, but also as a PE class. Local golf courses are also recognizing the growth and popularity of the sport and are sponsoring numerous programs for young golfers.
In recognizing the popularity of this sport among our youth the Elks have introduced the "Jr. Golf" Program as part of our Grand Lodge Youth Activity (GLYA) Program. With golf courses being found in almost all of our communities, and with many of our own Elk Lodges having golf courses associated with their facilities, the "Jr. Golf" Program is yet another way to promote Elkdom.
The "Jr. Golf" Program can be a very successful and visible program for not only the local Lodges but also for your State Associations. Another item that makes this program worthwhile is the assistance available to you from local and nationwide agencies that promote golf, such as the PGA and the USGA. Both organizations offer support and the USGA has grant money available. To find out more information about these organizations, and how they can help with your "Jr. Golf" Program, check out their web sites at www.pga.com or www.usga.org. The program is limited only by your creativity.
Approach a local golf course about conducting the event and you will be surprised how quickly they will accept the program. The facility management will usually enlist the aid of their resident golf pro because the pro needs youth training time to remain certified. Most courses have extra clubs available or you can ask lodge members to donate their old clubs.
Most Elk sponsored Jr. Golf events are open to the public and show the community that we care about kids. It will also make an opportunity to show parents what Elks are all about and possibly lead to gaining new members. Much like the scholarship program, publicity is easier when youth are involved and it is a public event.
Remember, when promoting your "Jr. Golf" Program, to take pictures and write articles for your local newspaper, Lodge bulletin, state newspaper and The Elks Magazine. All these items can then be placed in a brochure. This brochure can then be entered into the GLYA "Jr. Golf" Brochure Contest. The contest is set up for both the "Best Lodge Program" and the "Best State Program." All entries will be due to me by May 1st. For more information on the "Jr. Golf" Program and all of the GLYA Programs please refer to your GLYA Committee Manual or go online to www.elks.org.
