Across the nation, fundraising for junior golf programs is always an issue.  Each year new ideas are developed, new donors are pursued, and new board members are brought onboard.  One of these new ideas that have been developed is the “Adopt-a-Junior” program by the Indiana Golf Foundation (IGF).

The “Adopt-a-Junior” program was developed by former IGF board member, and 2006 U.S. Senior Amateur Champion Mike Bell a couple years ago to enable those who have benefited from the game of golf to pass along the gift of golf to others.  The idea was taken by IGF’s Development Director and implemented this past summer.

Through donations, IGF was able to raise $10,500 in its first year of the program to award scholarships to kids who otherwise would not have the opportunity to play golf.  In 2006, IGF spent approximately $35,000 on scholarships that provided 87 kids the opportunity to attend camps.

Each year, IGF will send approximately 12,000 “Adopt-a-Junior” flyers via direct mail.  It plans to add additional marketing sources in the upcoming years as the program continues to grow.

How does a junior receive one of these scholarships?  The application process is very open-ended.  The IGF is part of the Indiana PGA Section, and therefore, it utilizes the golf professionals in the state to seek out kids who are interested in the game but do not have the financial means to attend the camp.  In order to attend one of IGF’s golf camps, a participant must pay $400, which is relatively low compared to other similar camps.  With the program fee, a participant receives free golf course access at a local golf course in the area of the participant from the time they attend the camp until they are 18 years of age. 

Besides having the knowledge that a donation has given someone less fortunate the opportunity to learn golf, the person who provided the scholarship for the junior receives a handwritten note and a photograph of the junior golfer. 

This program like many fundraisers has an impact to allow golf foundations, associations, and grass root programs to offer junior programming.  However, the difference is, you aren’t just adopting a golf program, you are adopting a kid!
 

For additional information, please contact the Indiana Golf Foundation's Director of Development, Joan Schernekau, at jschernekau@indianagolf.org