(June 2, 2022) – Playing a round of golf for $5 sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? Well now, thanks to the Youth on Course program, kids in Connecticut will be able to play on partnering golf courses for $5 or less.
Youth on Course has a simple mission which is to eliminate the high cost of playing golf that can be a tremendous barrier for youth across the country. Partnering golf courses offer up blocks of tee times at a discounted rate and in turn Youth on Course subsidizes the cost to insure the golf course can remain profitable.
“Youth on Course is the initiative that has become golf’s great equalizer,” said Ashleigh McLaughlin, VP of Marketing & Communications for Youth on Course, when asked about the importance of Youth on Course to golf. She went on to add, “by helping to eliminate the barrier that keeps so many young people from picking up the sport, taking their skills on the course and being able to continue playing once they’ve decided golf is for them, we’re helping to create a healthier landscape for young people and our sport’s future.”
The excitement for Youth on Course is noticeable throughout Connecticut. Mark Moriarity, Executive Director of First Tee of Connecticut said, “We do a really good job of introducing the game but the question after that is always and then what? So this is a no-brainer because it gives kids another opportunity to continue playing the game.”
There is also excitement on the Youth on Course side to becoming involved in Connecticut. “We’re thrilled to be working with the Connecticut State Golf Association to bring affordable access to golf to young people across the state. We know that like us, they believe that the future of our game depends on creating a landscape where more youth can engage with our sport,” said McLaughlin.
The Youth on Course mission is fantastic for youth development but relies heavily on partnership and cooperation from golf courses. The idea of offering a round of golf for $5 might turn away some golf course owners leaving them wondering how could we stay profitable if we become a partnering course?
Youth on Course has them covered, subsidizing over one million rounds of golf since its creation. John and Jill Philips, owners of Stonybrook Golf, said, “the idea of discounting for golf course owners is scary. But the fact we can get reimbursed is a no-brainer.” As a partnering course, Stonybrook Golf provided the youth community with invaluable opportunities to grow both on and off the course.
Now with 13 partnering golf courses across the state and growing, affordable golf for kids is more accessible than ever. A recent addition to the Youth on Course partnering courses is Goodwin Park Golf Course in Hartford. “When it comes to introducing Youth on Course at Goodwin the timing and the synergy of it is great. Plus the fact that we have the course to do this, it feels like the right thing to do,” said Moriarity. “We hope that not only First Tee kids but that all kids come to play at Goodwin.”
The value that Youth on Course brings to a community has also been noticed by the City of Hartford. “The City of Hartford is excited Goodwin Park Golf Course has partnered with Youth on Course. It’s a natural fit for First Tee in growing the game of golf amongst our youth. Combined with First Tee’s youth programming, Youth on Course will be an excellent avenue to revitalize youth golf within Hartford and even more importantly engage the youth of Hartford with another valuable interactive growth option,” said William Rosenblum, golf operations manager for the City of Hartford.
Youth on Course and Connecticut State Golf Association is enthusiastic to partner with more courses across the state to increase the program’s reach to kids in Connecticut. “We’re excited to be welcoming more courses and members to the Youth on Course family and the opportunities to grow are tremendous,” Ashleigh McLaughlin said.
With the help of Youth on Course and partnering courses, the future of golf in Connecticut is bright.
Note: Youth on Course members are able to play golf at any Youth on Course facility in the country.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
