As I recently shared, the golf community is growing and working even harder to create opportunities for young people to get involved in the game (College Golf Scholarships for Girls Going Unclaimed). One of the factors that makes it difficult for golf to reach the masses is cost. As most people know, golf is often cost prohibitive for many families.
This is where Youth on Course comes in. Youth on Course gives their members access to golf for $5 or less at more than 900 participating courses and it sets them up for success beyond the green through its Caddie program, paid high school internships, and college scholarships.
Youth on Course is hosting its 3rd Annual Hundred Hole Hike to raise funds to further its efforts to bring affordable golf to kids ages 6-18. Here is the full press release:
Youth on Course Hosts 3rd Annual ‘100 Hole Hike’ to Expand Affordable Golf Access Throughout the U.S.
(PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.) — Youth on Course — the non-profit providing young people with subsidized golf rounds, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships – has organized challengers from six states and the District of Columbia to participate in its “100 Hole Hike” to raise funds for its nationwide program.
On Monday Sept. 10, supporters from Georgia, Missouri, Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, Utah and Washington, D.C. will aim to complete more than five rounds of golf in one day, securing donations for every completed hole. Contributions in 2018 have already doubled last year’s total, eclipsing $200,000 two weeks before the event.
“With each dollar raised, Youth on Course continues to help remove the cost barrier for young people to play golf,” says Youth on Course Executive Director Adam Heieck. “The outpouring of support means providing further access to opportunities for junior players.”
Born in Northern California, Youth on Course helps fund rounds of golf for members to increase affordability and accessibility to the game. The organization has grown its presence to 26 states and reaches more than 40,000 kids ages 6-17 who can play at partner facilities for just $5.
Fundraising for the 2017 Hundred Hole Hike resulted in Youth on Course securing $91,506 to support its goal of providing affordable golf for all members. To support the “hikers” and Youth on Course, backers can pledge any amount per hole to any participant.
Follow Youth on Course via Twitter and Instagram (@yocgolf) using the hashtag #YOCH3 for the latest information about the event and real-time updates.
In addition to subsidized rounds, the organization also facilitates college scholarships, paid internships and a caddie program. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, Youth on Course has awarded 222 students with scholarships totaling more than $1.4 million in financial support. The current Youth on Course scholarship retention rate is ninety-eight percent, with 53 students already graduated.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Members play hundreds of courses for $5 or less, benefit from employment through the caddie and internship program, and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, nearly 650,000 rounds have been played by Youth on Course participants and more than $1.4 million has been raised for college scholarships. Currently, Youth on Course serves Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin with the goal of delivering affordable golf in all 50 states by 2021.