Junior golf used to be just a tournament here and there while youwaited to play serious tournament golf again. Well, those daysare over. With school funding cutbacks in all sports, parents andjuniors have to find alternative modes of participation. That bringsus to one of the reasons for this article.
Junior golf in the South Texas region is a tremendous asset forour children. In our information age where electronics keep ourchildren indoors,junior golf remainsone of the best waysfor them to get out,exercise and enjoya sport that keepsthem entertained,competitive and fulfilled.Area golf instructors,golf coursesand programs likethose of the SouthernTexas PGA enablethe junior golferto participate in thisever–growing game.Golf teaches ourchildren discipline,etiquette and sportsmanshipthat theycan take with them the rest of their lives. We see it with ourown eyes, and sense that the children feel it too.
The Southern Texas PGA or STPGA has expanded thefield of opportunity by establishing a unique program forjunior golfers between the ages of 5 and 18. This programallows the junior golfer the chance to learn golf at an earlyage and be able to grow in golf by participating in multiplejunior tours through high school.
The Southern Texas PGA allows the junior golfer toparticipate in any of its programs for a small registrationfee. Some of the area courses are private facilities that haveopened their doors in hopes of promoting the great gameof golf. What better opportunity is there for your juniorgolfer to play a great game on some of the best courses?
The STPGA Mission Statement below is a testament towhat the program is all about:
The Southern Texas PGA Foundation will introduceand provide youth in south Texas broad opportunities toexperience the game of golf, develop their talents as players,and themselves as individuals and promote scholarship benefits toas many qualified candidates as possible. The STPGA Foundationwill uphold the high degree of professionalism necessary to motivateyoung men and women to strive for personal integrity, honor andideals.
One well–known program in the area is the Southern TexasPGA Little Linksters. The program is designed for junior golfers ofall abilities between ages five and 12. The children receive 12 hoursof professional instruction at participating area facilities. After receivinginstruction, the junior golfer is then eligible to play theirlevel of competitive golf on leading area golf courses. The programoffers the juniors the chance to play either five or nine holes dependingon their ability. This program is a great opportunity forjuniors to learn from golf professionals.
The Southern Texas PGA Junior Tour is anothergreat program for the junior golfer between12 and 18 years of age. This program is designedfor the seasoned junior golfer that willplay 18 holes of golf against fellow juniors inthe South Texas region. The area’s best juniorscan tee it up against each other all summerlong and will undoubtedly further their aspirationsof playing in high school and college. Theprogram is also a great way for the junior golfer,already playing at the high school level, to staycompetitive throughout the summer and intothe upcoming season.
These junior golf programs, along with others,would not be possiblewithout the dedicationof the professionals andcourses involved. AllPGA professionals andgolf instructors deserveour thanks for getting ourchildren involved in sucha great sport. Golf is alifetime sport for anyone.The Southern Texas PGAhas established great programsto get your childstarted.
If you haveany questions about theSouthern Texas PGA ortheir programs pleasecall the Southern TexasPGA at 832.442.2404 orvisit their website at www.stpga.com. The STPGAalso has other junior golftours that keep golf openyear–round.
You can also reach the area Directors of the Junior and LittleLinkster Tours at the Joe Caruso Golf Academy in San Antonio.Call Brit Gentry, PGA or Sam Thompson for more information at210.492.7888. The Joe Caruso Golf Academy, Brit Gentry, PGA andSam Thompson have dedicated all their resources to the SouthernTexas PGA junior programs and deserve all of our thanks.
