Teaching Our Children Well

Golf in Schools Program

With many school districts deemphasizing physical education for budgetary and other reasons, schools constantly seek activities that cost as little money as possible. Given the need for access to equipment and facilities, introducing students to golf is an afterthought. In Colorado, however, many golf organizations are working to create access to the sport.

The Colorado Golf Association proudly partners with the Colorado Section of the PGA’s Golf in Schools Program, which provides participating schools free access to instruction and, for schools whose schedule allows, a field trip to a neighboring golf course. Last year more than 8,000 kids participated in the program.

The CGA focuses its partnership on the schools neighboring the association-owned CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. In 2016 more than 800 students participated in CGA-run Golf in Schools Programs.

Given the diversity of this population, the CGA finds itself serving some of the most underserved children in our community. Last year, two of the participating elementary schools in our Golf in Schools Program had 80 percent of their children receiving free or reduced lunch. The overwhelming majority of these children have had no prior exposure to golf and the field trip to CommonGround is their first time stepping foot on a golf course.

“It is not unusual for students to ask, ‘is this real grass?’” notes CGA Director of Programs, Erin Gangloff. “When they walk onto a putting green they can’t believe it is real grass—they have never seen anything like it.”

Golf in Schools Program

While the field trip is a highlight of the program, the real emphasis is on the life skills that golf provides.

“By introducing this diverse group of kids to golf, we are pointing children to the many facets of the game and business of golf,” Gangloff adds. “With so many people employed by the business, in addition to our growing caddie program, we are confident these students are seeing a pathway of opportunity to participation or employment.”

Leann Zimmerman, a teacher at Side Creek Elementary in the Aurora Public School system, shared how her students “always have an amazing experience as they participate in the Golf in Schools program! It is fun to watch their skills and confidence grow with each experience as they become familiar with the game. I love how the program builds in life skills and a hands-on experience at the golf course.”

The primary goal of the Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program is to expand participation of the next generation of golfers in the state. At the end of the Golf in Schools Program, kids are introduced to the Player Pathway of the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

The Pathway helps parents and juniors identify the right fit with our statewide partners. Research indicates that if children do the right activities at the right times they will get active, stay active, and even reach the greatest heights of sport achievement.   

Moreover, statistics show that those who are exposed to golf at a young age are exponentially more likely to pick it up later in life. To measure this program’s effect will take many years. But the smiles on these kids’ faces suggest a very bright future for the game of golf.

Golf in Schools Program


Ryan Smith is the Colorado Golf Association’s Director of Development. If you are interested in bringing the Golf in Schools Program to your school or in volunteering to participate in this amazing program, please contact Erin Gangloff, the Colorado Golf Association’s Managing Director of Programs ([email protected]) or Holly Champion, the Colorado PGA’s Junior Golf Director ([email protected]).

This article appears in the Spring 2017 issue of Colorado AvidGolfer. Subscribe today!

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Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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