Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 3626 | January 2017 #juniorgolfmag Visit us at juniorgolfmag.net T hese donations help continue what has be- come a lifeline for young people attempt- ing to stay busy, away from idle time and temptations to get into trouble. Donations also help fund junior players at advanced levels so they can more easily continue to develop a competitive game that may earn them a college education. A DIFFERENT KIND OF YOUTH MOVEMENT How many junior golfers, however, actually develop or support, with their own money and time, charitable causes that benefit others? The answer might be more than you would imagine. And how many juniors actually play in events that support specific charities? Over the past several years the development of such events – and the number of juniors involved in them – has grown significantly. Perhaps the most well-known is the Nature Valley Pebble Beach Pro-Am for the benefit of The First Tee, whose mission is to impact the lives of young people through education and the game of golf. In this event juniors who have earned a spot in the Pro-Am are paired with Champions Tour players to compete in this of- ficial Champions Tour event. Just how widespread is the concept of juniors playing for others? Forward-thinking par- ents are now purchasing spots in local charity events or asking their junior golfers to contrib- ute toward entry fees to events that support various charities. They then use that spot for their junior golfer, showing them the example of philanthropy. Many juniors are even ask- ing their parents if they can contribute their own saved money to participate in these events. They already understand what it is to give back. Consider the story of 9-year-old Avery Zweig, ranked # 1 in the world for the Class of 2025 Girls by Junior Golf Scoreboard. Despite her significant accomplishments on the course, Avery’s achievements are just as noteworthy off of it. In 2015 she raised $ 9,800, by herself, for cancer – with most of it going to her ailing school janitor. She followed that up this year by enlisting the help of other juniors to raise al- most $ 30,000 for the St. Jude Children’s Cancer initiative. Now almost 20 other kids have com- mitted to raise money with Avery next year for pediatric cancer. GIVING AS YOU GROW Some juniors who learned at an early age the good feelings that come with giving have now grown to adulthood, and they are managing major fundraising efforts. One well-known in- dividual, Morgan Pressel, began her event as a young girl. Her desire was to honor and support her mother’s battle against breast cancer. Now a respected LPGA Tour player, she has raised many millions on behalf of her mother and the battle against breast cancer. Many other individuals and organizations around the country are starting to develop their own ways to assist others. In Louisiana, high school senior Justin Caldwell, son of PGA professional Bill Caldwell and wife Andre, re- cently used a golf marathon to aid a classmate diagnosed with leukemia. In the heat of a Lou- isiana summer, Justin played 110 holes in one day to raise funds he had solicited from donors through individual contact, social media, email Juniors Can Start the Payback Early BYMIKESCHULTZ Golf for Hope has raised over $ 50,000 for charities Many individuals, foundations and corporations manage and donate to Junior Golf organizations such as The First Tee, PGA Junior Golf Foundation, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf and many other worthy groups that support the development of junior golfers and life-building programs. Charity work can be mutually rewarding Kids bond with others through their work Andrea Kellar and part of her Golf for Hope team Everyone has fun in these types of events