30 | June 2017 #juniorgolfmag Visit us at juniorgolfmag.net PepsiLittlePeople’sEventTouchesGolfersAcrosstheGlobe BY JUNIOR GOLF STAFF F or four days in the middle of summer, a small town on the Mississippi River becomes the hub of junior golf.That’s when the Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships draws players from 3 through 18 years old to Quincy, Illinois, for a fun-filled tournament that offers intense, quality competition to young play- ers from around the world. “Little People’s has been a blessing to our family,” stat- ed Tony Pancake, professional at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana. “The main reason is that Nan and the other volunteers make us feel so welcome.” LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS Little People’s, founded by Nan Ryan, has been a ma- jor junior event since its inception in 1974 when 174 players from 13 states and Canada gathered in Quincy. Since then, it has grown in stature, and today it can boast of having had players from every state and 36 foreign countries compete. Competition varies, depending on age. Players match skills in seven age divisions each, for boys and girls, with trophies going to the top three in all divisions. Medals are awarded to 4th through 6th places in the 10–18 age divisions, with participant medals handed out to younger groups. The younger players enjoy more ‘relaxed’ rules. For in- stance, 3- to 7-year-olds can take the ball out of the sand and are given a maximum limit of 12 strokes per hole (including whiffs). A caddy can carry the player in the3–5agegroup.Playersupto11yearsoldcanutilize caddies for bag toting, while players 12–18 are on their own and must play by USGA rules. AN EVENTOF PROVEN STATURE Little People’s is included in the AJGA PBE system for boys/girls 14–18 and 12–13 age divisions. It is a quali- fier for the IMG Academy Junior World, Future Champi- ons Golf, Future Collegians World Tour and Little Mas- ters in India. The event is also ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and GolfWeek/Sagarin. “At Little People’s,” noted C.J. Gatto from the American College Development Services, “my players can gain invitations to many other national events in a single tournament.” The kick-off to Little People’s is the optional Applebee’s 9-hole Parent-Child Tournament, held on Father’s Day, which includes putting, driving and best dressed team contests. The Monday after is the official practice day for Little People’s, followed by the Family Celebration Picnic. Tuesday and Wednesday are competition days for all players. “Little People’s was always a highlight of my sum- mer,” stated Brad Zeitner, now a PGA Professional, who brought his son Bennett to the tournament in 2015. ATESTFORTHE BEST Each year, more and more former players bring their children back to enjoy the same Little People’s expe- rience that they once did. Little People’s can point to many former contestants who are now on the various pro tours. Some of these include Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnson, Beau Hossler, Richy Werenski and Ben Curtis. Many others now serve as coaches, teaching profes- sionals or in golf administration. Two former players are even on the Champions Tour! Refreshment Services Pepsi has been the event’s ma- jor title sponsor since 1974. An Advisory Team, headed by Executive Director Nan Ryan, oversees the event, along with some 150 volunteers. “I love golf,” stated Ryan, an LPGA Golf Professional. “Little People’s has been my life for the past 44 years. It’s wonderful when your work is your play. I can’t imag- ine doing anything else.” More information on Little People’s can be found at www.littlepeoplesgolf.com, by calling Nan at 217-257- 5718 or emailing jrgolfer@littlepeoplesgolf.com. The 44th annual tournament will be held June 18–21, 2017, at the 9-hole KC Par 3 Golf Club and the 27-hole West- view Golf Club, in Quincy. Families and kids connect at the Little People’s event, where instruction and inspiration take on many forms