Teaching Kids Life Skills

Golf Digest honors five youth programs

By Topsy Siderowf

Photo by Jensen Larson

Junior Golf: Golf Digest honors five youth programs

The First Tee of Memphis: Visiting PGA Pro Loren Roberts works with Quintin Sellers.

Golf Digest 2011

Junior Development Awards

Since 1984, Golf Digest has identified the premier programs that encourage young golfers. Each year we honor a municipality, a club, an individual, a corporation and an association for their positive impact on juniors.

This year's Junior Development Award winners are teaching kids the skills to become proficient golfers as well as the life skills needed to succeed in the world. "More kids are playing better, and there are more opportunities for them," says Rob Coleman, chief communications officer for the American Junior Golf Association.

Today's juniors are winning at an earlier age. With his victory at the 2010 U.S. Junior Amateur, Jim Liu, at 14 years, 11 months and 22 days, became the youngest-ever national champion, breaking the previous record set by Tiger Woods, who was seven months older than Liu when he won the first of his three junior titles.

When Brad Dalke, 13, won the Thunderbird International in May, he made AJGA history as the youngest boy to win an invitational. An eighth-grader in McKinney, Texas, Dalke verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma at age 12.

These talented youngsters can even hold their own against the pros. Two-time U.S. Junior Champion Jordan Spieth challenged the field the past two years at the HP Byron Nelson Championship, finishing T-16 in 2010 and T-32 in 2011.

Girls historically have been the ones making headlines for precocious play. At 13, Alexis Thompson won the U.S. Girls' Junior. Now 16, she has been denied membership on the LPGA Tour because she's too young. Despite that she's good enough to finish ahead of the men as she did in a mini-tour event.

Mariel Galdiano, 13, gained recognition as the youngest contestant at this year's U.S. Women's Open. Although she missed the cut, she was qualifying medalist from her site in Koloa, Hawaii. Even though she's barely a teenager, she has won four Hawaii State Junior Championships.

The Golf Digest Junior Development Awards are intended to inform golfers about exciting programs already in place and inspire them to bring the game to kids in their communities. This year's winners range from the caddie camp at Sankaty Head Golf Club, started in 1930, to Carl Jackson's foundation to keep kids in school. Here are this year's winners:

MUNICIPALITY

MEMPHIS

This city is an example of the best efforts of local government, corporate giving and community interests to create The First Tee of Memphis, a comprehensive golf center in the depressed north end of town. On 92 acres of brown fields donated by Firestone/Bridgestone and reclaimed by the city, urban youths are learning golf. Kids pay $50 for a nine-week session. Scholarships are available, and costs are kept down through the participation of parents, teachers and area professionals.

Pictured: Coach James Kendrick reacts to a putt by Amie Wood.
Photo by Jensen Larson

CLUB

SANKATY HEAD GOLF CLUB

SIASCONSET, MASS.

Unique to this club is its caddie camp, in operation since 1930. From the end of June through Labor Day, 60 boys ages 14-19 work as caddies, perform maintenance on the course and are responsible for keeping their living quarters neat. But more than the physical activities, the daily teaching of the 3R's is essential to camp life. These include "respect for self," "respect for others," and "responsibility for one's actions." There are perks like potential college scholarships, networking opportunities and learning what it takes to be a good caddie. "It's a lifetime experience you can't put a price tag on," says Peter Montesano, the camp director.

Pictured above: Devon Brown and Nick Doyle start a loop. Photo by Jensen Larson

CORPORATION

DEUTSCHE BANK

Since 2003, the Deutsche Bank Championship has generated $19.5 million in charitable contributions. About half goes to the Tiger Woods Learning Center to support youth programs as diverse as engineering, the arts, science, and to a lesser extent, golf. Tournament proceeds are also used to sponsor an AJGA event and to aid The First Tee of Massachusetts. CEO Seth Waugh says he's especially proud of the John D. Mineck Junior Cup. It's a Ryder Cup format where 36 boys and girls play a two-day competition that runs concurrently with the championship.

Pictured above: Michael Johnson and Juliet Vongphoumy
Photo: Courtesy of IMGWorld.com

INDIVIDUAL

CARL JACKSON

LITTLE ROCK

The memory of dropping out of school at 13 to support his family has remained with Carl Jackson, the Augusta caddie known for carrying Ben Crenshaw's bag at the Masters. His foundation—Carl's Kids Stay in School—uses sports and especially golf to help at-risk youngsters. Kids are taught that golf requires honesty, integrity, respect and patience. With Jackson as their mentor, they could have no better role model.

Carl Jackson with Ben Crenshaw during the 2011 Masters.
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

ASSOCIATION

JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Emphasis at the JGANC is on competition, with 90 events on the 2011 schedule. Members learn how to build meaningful friendships, not just how to play, says executive director Shane Balfour. Behavior, etiquette and rules are stressed. Youngsters from 7-17 can join the association for $85 a year. There is no handicap limit, but golfers might be required to provide a gross nine- or 18-hole score. Illustrious alumni include Nick Watney, Spencer Levin, Paula Creamer, Matt Bettencourt and Joseph Bramlett.

Pictured: Hannah Suh, Nicolo Galletti
Photo: Courtesy of the Northern CA Junior Golf Association