Grow The Game Central (GTGC) has awarded the South East Queensland District Golf Association (SEQDGA) with a first ever $500 grant in support of their district-wide Pee Wee Pennant initiative to grow the game.

The grant was offered in encouragement of the 2014 national program PlayGolf Week in Australia and complies with GTGC’s approach to support the numerous grow the game initiatives in the Australian and New Zealand region.

GTGC Founder and Golf Industry Central Managing Director, Mike Orloff, created the platform www.live4golf.com.au to tackle challenges such as declining participation, the ageing demographic of players and to attract a new generation of golfers.

With GTGC he aims to create a community of like-minded people banding together to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to play the game of golf or increase their participation.

“Growing the game should be the main priority for everyone in the industry and Grow The Game Central wants to put our money where our mouth is and offer the first of our self-funded grants to the wider golfing community,” he said.

The GTGC grant-winning program, influenced by the US PGA Junior League Golf, encourages all beginner children under the age of 13 to join a modified junior competition and get engaged in the game. SEQDGA Junior Development Officer, Tom Berndt, said he was “thrilled” about the grant and that the modified rules and shorter course allowed for the children to play a less intimidating game and have fun while learning and achieving respectable scores.

“This is a great pathway for kids to continue to play and meet new friends which gives them a sense of belonging and a reason to continue to play,” he said. In total eight clubs within the South East Queensland district got on board with the pilot program last year, and this year Gold Coast and Brisbane clubs are running similar junior initiatives and competitions.

“We are not doing this to make money, we just want people to play the game and if we don’t help the young ones, where do we go from here?” he said.

“I have travelled to all parts of the world and I have seen a lot of golf, but the Pee Wee Pennant is truly the most satisfying thing I have seen within the sport”. If you would like to get involved, help raise some funds, or apply for future grants with Grow the Game Central please visit https://www.live4golf.com.au/

via SEQDGA wins $500 grant for grow the game initiative.