United States Take Action on Junior Golf

Junior golf is being stepped up a gear by the United States golf association and the PGA by partnering to create a new after school junior program. This gives young people access to equipment and coaching.

The program is being launched this year in seven PGA sections across the country that has well established junior golf infrastructure: Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Northern Texas, South Florida, Southern California and Wisconsin.

The program will have three elements: an after school program, a mentoring component and a course access program.

"Our partnership with the USGA in this program represents the next step to extending those building blocks for our country's future golfers," said Jim Remy, PGA of America president.

The program will prove to be extremely popular for young golfers. The after school curriculum will be a four to six week activity and has 75 sites for one hour straight after school. All of the sessions will be held outdoors and use traditional golf equipment. There will be plenty of teachers covering as there will be a ratio of 10 to 1.

The program will be held over the summer. It will be promoted in schools as an elective. The USPGA and PGA of America will co-brand the program.

Nicklaus Recgonised for Youth Sport

Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to youth sports.

The 69-year-old Nicklaus and his wife will receive prestigious Pathfinder awards for their work heading up the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which has raised more than US $10 million since it began in 2004.

They also have supported junior golf sets programmes across the United States for many years.

The Pathfinder is presented each year in conjunction with the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament sponsored by Indiana Sports and Indiana Black Expo. Last year's winner was Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

The Nicklauses will receive the award June 28 at the annual Pathfinder banquet at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Nicklaus, known as the ‘Golden Bear', holds the record for the most victories in major championships since he turned professional in 1961 after a successful career as an amateur.

His triumphs include winning the Masters six times in 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986 and the Open Championship on three occasions.

Nicklaus, who retired from competitive golf four years ago, now devotes much of his time to golf course design and he also has his own golf equipment range including a 747 LD driver and ML3 driver.