Engaging Youth
Engaging the next generation of golfers is just as critical to our Section as it is to young people. Participation in not only golf, but also other sports is associated with a wide range of benefits – physical, emotional, and cognitive to list just a few. Golf can provide a safe, fun activity for children, while simultaneously teaching them discipline, teamwork, and other important life lessons. These benefits can last well into adulthood and can also help develop an appreciation of the game which can create a lifelong interest in golf. The Alabama – NW Florida PGA and our Members work hard to deliver exciting and relevant programs to attract new golfers—whether by assisting with program registration fees or access to golf equipment and by developing new formats to make the game more enticing to beginners.
Join the Team
PGA Jr. League is a game-changing opportunity for boys and girls to learn and play golf. The program brings family and friends together around fun, team golf experiences with expert coaching from PGA and LPGA Professionals.
The Journey to Augusta Begins Here
A joint initiative founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association, and the PGA of America, DCP is a free nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on three fundamental skills employed in golf.
Junior golf in Alabama & Northwest Florida
JGA serves as a collaboration focused on junior golf for parents, youth, coaches, golf administrators, and PGA Professionals by streamlining the junior golf roadmap by creating new educational, instructional, and playing opportunities while bridging existing programs to further the development of junior golf in Alabama and Northwest Florida.
Engaging Military & Veteran Communities
According to recent statistics published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 3.5 million veterans today live with a service-connected disability. There are currently over 500,000 veterans living in the state of Alabama and more than 800,000 veterans residing in the state of Florida. Thanks to our continued partnership with PGA REACH, the Foundation is committed to engaging the Veteran community in our Section through PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).
PGA HOPE is led by a certified PGA Professional and uses golf as a way for Veterans to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Learn More at PGAREACH.org〉
Find a PGA HOPE Instructor in Our Section
Birmingham | Max Doster, PGA
Director of Player Development
Blackburn Golf Academy – Greystone Golf & Country Club
max@blackburngolf.com
Dothan | Ty Andersen, PGA
PGA Life Member
RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks & Fort Rucker
typgapro@aol.com
Mobile | Michael Brisbane, PGA
Director of Instruction
Azalea City Golf Course
michael@michaelbrisbanegolf.com
Pensacola | Buddy Whitten, PGA
PGA Life Member
Osceola Golf Course
buddywhitten@aol.com
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
Growing the game is essential to the mission of our Section. An important part of this effort is ensuring that people of all backgrounds have access to and feel authentically welcome in the game and business of golf. Our goal is to make golf—both the game and the business—as diverse as the United States.
The Willow Cup
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, golf has seen a boom in participation. Conversely, many collegiate and high school golf seasons were cut short – stripping many athletes the opportunity to play the game they love. Established in 2020, the Willow Cup is collegiate and amateur event aimed to give a recognized playing opportunity to a diverse network of players, inspire a new generation of golfers and create awareness and support for the Foundation.
Supporting Our PGA Professionals
Our PGA Professionals and Associates are the life-blood to our Section – the beating heart behind making the game of golf more accessible for thousands across Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The Foundation is built on the idea of creating opportunities for all individuals involved with the game, and this includes creating programs that benefit PGA Professionals. We are proud to work with an incredible group of PGA Members and Associates day-in and day-out across the Section.
PGA Professionals are the tangible connection between the game of golf and people in our communities. In order to fulfill our mission, PGA Professionals will continue to play a more pivotal role in our programming. We are thrilled to move forward in this endeavor, unwavering in our commitment to building up the lives and careers of our PGA Members.
- The Assistants’ Summit
In partnership with local PGA Professionals, the Alabama–NW Florida Golf Foundation and golf facilities across our Section, the Assistants’ Summit is a one-of-a-kind event that aims to give back to the next generation of PGA Professionals. Established in 2019, the Assistants’ Summit is designed to give PGA Professionals and Associates in Assistant-level positions the opportunity to network, learn, collaborate and exchange ideas. It is a convening on one place at one time to help PGA Members and Associates become empowered, drive change and be sources of light at their facilities and in their communities. Learn More 〉
- The Scholarship Program
Through our Scholarship Program, we are giving students of all backgrounds an opportunity to pursue their dreams. The PGA Family Scholarship and Junior Tour Scholarship were established to honor both our PGA Professionals and our Junior Tour Members – past, present and future. Specifically, when it comes to honoring our PGA Professionals, we are proud to be even a small part in helping their children and grandchildren attend college. Our hope is this Scholarship Program becomes a light for new opportunities, hopes and dreams for students across Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Learn More 〉