PGA Jr. League Honored By Aspen Institute
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — PGA Jr. League, the flagship youth pillar program of PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH, was recently recognized by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative as a 2020 Project Play Champion. Project Play annually honors a select number of national organizations that are taking new, meaningful and specific actions consistent with Project Play’s strategies for youth sports.
PGA Jr. League—which had 60,000 participants in 2019—provides kids of all ages and abilities with a fun, social, team-based opportunity to learn and play golf under the leadership of expert PGA and LPGA Professionals. PGA Jr. League has made a number of updates in its programming to align with the American Development Model (ADM) for Golf, giving kids an opportunity for age-appropriate activities and free play.
“We are thrilled to be named a 2020 Project Play Champion,” said Steve Tanner, Director of League Golf, PGA of America. “PGA Jr. League stands for bringing families and communities together through golf. Every day, PGA and LPGA Professionals are creating experiences that welcome boys and girls to golf, while prioritizing health and well-being.”
In 2020, PGA Jr. League has continued to build on these updates by expanding its recreational 17-and-under division; creating a fun play-day “community” program for all age divisions; and expanding local leagues. PGA Jr. League also has begun utilizing ADM-compliant lesson plans within PGA.Coach, the PGA of America’s website and mobile app that provides a short training program for the industry and coach-specific tools for PGA and LPGA Professionals.
Additionally, PGA Jr. League was at the forefront of identifying solutions to play responsibly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. PGA Jr. League launched a virtual community page with at-home activities and is implementing on-site program modifications that ensure fun but responsible play in alignment with local health authorities, CDC guidelines and the Back2Golf protocols.
Launched in 2013, the Aspen Institute’s Project Play works with leading organizations to develop and share best practices and solutions to foster quality sports activity for all youth, regardless of zip code or ability.
Project Play Champions are recognized each year at the Project Play Summit, the nation’s premier annual gathering of leaders at the intersection of youth, sport and health. The 2020 Project Play Summit is currently scheduled to take place this fall in Washington, D.C.
About Project Play
An initiative of the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program, Project Play develops, applies and shares knowledge that helps stakeholders build healthy communities through sports. For more information, visit aspenprojectplay.org.
About The Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org.
About PGA REACH
PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America. The mission of PGA REACH is to positively impact the lives of youth, military and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections and the game of golf. For more information, visit PGAREACH.org.
About PGA Jr. League
PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of PGA Foundation, Inc. d/b/a PGA REACH, with a goal of making the program accessible to every child, everywhere. Visit PGAJrLeague.com for more information, and follow PGA Jr. League on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
