PING is the newest sponsor of PGA Jr. League, a nationwide program that fosters interest and growth in golf for boys and girls under the age of 13 competing in a team format. PING is excited to contribute to the growth of the game.
PGA Jr. League is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls, who wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends in a scramble format. Each team is captained by a PGA or LPGA professional, who serves as coach and is at the forefront of creating a welcoming environment.
With 42,000 participants in 2017, PGA Jr. League has wide-ranging appeal for both youth and their parents. It is the key youth initiative of PGA REACH, the charitable arm of the PGA of America. PGA Jr. League is recreational and developmental in nature and works with PGA Sections and local youth organizations. This unique approach serves as a feeder system to transition youth golfers to existing junior golf programs.
PGA Jr. League began in 2011, with teams competing in Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas, and San Diego. The first PGA Jr. League Golf National Championship was held in 2012. Since its inception, participation has skyrocketed. In the 2017 season, 3,400 teams competed, culminating at the national championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
PGA Jr. League is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls, who wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with their friends in a scramble format. Each team is captained by a PGA or LPGA professional, who serves as coach and is at the forefront of creating a welcoming environment.
PING Junior Interclub
PING Jr. League isn’t the only team-format program for junior golfers. In 2008, longtime PING employee John Souza launched a competitive program for juniors called PING Junior Interclub (PJI), the flagship program for Junior Golf University (JGU). The PJI is a tournament series for players ages 12 to 18.
Teams are formed by private, public and resort-style golf facilities. JGU also sponsors teams formed by the local First Tee chapter. In 2009, the program received title sponsorship from PING, which has helped PJI grow to 80 teams.