A SIMPLE TRUTH IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR GOLF : Junior golf initiatives are the future of the game . Following are the paths taken by The Club at Glenmore , Holston Hills Golf Course and The Omni Homestead Resort to drive youth participation and grow the game .
A SIMPLE TRUTH IN THE WORLD OF JUNIOR GOLF : Junior golf initiatives are the future of the game . Following are the paths taken by The Club at Glenmore , Holston Hills Golf Course and The Omni Homestead Resort to drive youth participation and grow the game .
ISTOCK
Growing the game starts at the grassroots level , with clubs encouraging youth participation with various programming .
THE CLUB AT GLENMORE New ownership came to The Club at Glenmore in Keswick in 2018 and with that came a major emphasis to grow junior golf .
The owners reached out to club member , author and worldrenowned sports psychologist Dr . Bob Rotella , and the group came up with the notion of starting a Junior Academy and a fundraiser that would cover the instruction costs as well as provide scholarships to families that need financial assistance .
Bill Fedder , formerly director of instruction at Spring Creek Golf Club in nearby Zion Crossroads , took charge of the same role at Glenmore in 2019 and promptly had to delay the fundraiser because of the pandemic .
The first Rotella Golf Classic was held in 2021 . Fedder already is planning the fourth edition for this fall . The outings have drawn about 100 players for each of the first three events . Last October ’ s Classic proceeds were enough to fund all the 2024 instruction / programming costs for the Junior Academy . There are entry level programs for 3-5 years old ; 6-12 years old and the PGA Jr . League ( ages 4-13 and 12-17 ).
The Classic also raises money for scholarships to the Rotella- Fedder Excellence Academy , which focuses on juniors ( ages 12-17 ) with aspirations of playing high school golf , tournament golf or college golf .
“ Our goal is to get as many kids [ as possible ] into golf with no barriers ,” Fedder said . “ Golf unfortunately has become more and more expensive . We just want to make sure kids who want to have access do .”
Glenmore invites the community to be part of the action . The junior program is open to members and non-members .
“ We open the doors to junior golfers outside our community . There are kids from Fluvanna , Louisa and Albemarle counties participating in junior programs and the Academy ,” Fedder said . “ We work hard to find sponsors who have a similar passion for supporting youth sports or junior golf or have a relationship with Dr . Rotella . He ’ s had such an impact on golf they want to support what he ’ s excited about .”
M AY / J UNE 2024 | | V IRGINIA G OLFER 27