14 | July 2017 #juniorgolfmag Visit us at juniorgolfmag.net FILLING AVOID, CREATING SPACE The TGA Premier Golf curriculum ensures that every school space can be utilized, includ- ing gymnasiums, hallways, fields and blacktops. In a short time, the TGA program has become extremely popular around the country in the areas it serves. It all began in 2003 when TGA founder Joshua Jacobs, an entrepreneur and collegiate golfer, identified a void in introductory golf programs. Realizing that the sport was not readily avail- able to youth, he looked to schools and commu- nity centers, where core sports and youth activ- ities were being played and talent and passion were being developed. Consequently, Jacobs created a model that puts golf on a level play- ing field with other sports, and is solving many of the industry’s participation barriers to entry, such as availability, cost and transportation. The TGA Premier Golf program is making a significant impact on growing the game of golf through a unique model that brings it to schools and community centers as an after-school enrichment program before transitioning students to the golf course with summer camps, clinics and parent/child events. EMPOWERINGTHROUGH PASSION TGA’s model is scaled through a youth sports franchise paradigm that is taking the industry by storm. This standard empowers entre- preneurs and people who are passionate about golf and kids to build a business that’s based on growing golf participation throughout their local community. Most of the TGA families are from middle to upper income areas, al- lowing the model to be fully sustainable through modest parent funding. Costs average around $ 17 per class…the same price, if not less, than an hour of day care. For the lower income areas, TGA’s non-profit arm, the TGA Sports Foundation, provides grants that subsidize the majority of the program costs, so no child is left out. In the after-school programs, classes are offered for K–8th grade stu- dents. Each session runs six to 10 weeks, depending on the school’s schedule. No expenses are incurred by the school; TGA provides all of the equipment and promotion for the program. SETTING A STRONG FOUNDATION As all teachers know, it’s important to set clear behavior goals and expectations for students and stick with them, and that’s exactly what happens with TGA. The founders of the pro- gram developed the “5 E’s” that form the basis of every class: • Engage - students greet each other by shaking hands • Educate - coaches teach specific golf skills • Enhance - students do drills and go to stations to practice those skills • Embrace - students and coaches enjoy a game activity together • Empower - students who have shown the most respect earn a trophy ball. Students leave by shaking hands, just as they greeted each other. That’s the essential structure used by each of the 3,300 schools that now offer the TGA after-school program in 27 states around the country. The idea is to establish a culture that is common to every class, no mat- ter its location. To judge by the smiles on the children’s faces, it's working quite well. Parents love it, too, and many are suggesting it to administra- tors and teachers at schools that have not yet implemented the program. What differentiates TGA is not only the 5 E’s, but a station-based pro- gram where no participant stands in line, and which includes golf skill progression, physical fitness and health components. Experts in Child Development and Curriculum Development worked together with PGA and LPGA Golf Professionals to create TGA’s one-of-a-kind curricu- lum in which academics play a big part. TGA is the only after-school program that incorporates STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) Labs to teach how and why the game is played effectively. With academics woven seamlessly into the program, school principals and families have embraced the pro- gram in their communities. Every student receives a 60-page workbook, developed specifically to be an important part of the program. It takes the youngsters through five learning levels: yellow, orange, red, blue and black. The visual learning aid is chock-full of golf instruction, from putting and chipping to full swings, as well as problem-solving exercises and activities they can even do at home with their parents. SUCCEEDING WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED Jacobs is thrilled that the program has been reaching mass quantities of kids of all backgrounds, in a structured environment. He is excited that, despite only 20% saturation in the United States, TGA has served over 650,000 students so far. TEACH,GROW,ACHIEVE Continued from page 13 The TGA Premier Golf program is making a significant impact on growing the game of golf through a unique model that brings it to schools and community centers as an after-school enrich- ment program before transitioning students to the golf course with summer camps, clinics and parent/child events.