Several years ago, a local middle school principal, Nancy Cobb, approached Rob and Sue Puetz with the idea of offering physical education classes at the couple's golf course. The Puetzes couldn't have imagined when they agreed that it would be the inception of one of the most successful junior golf programs in the country.

The Puetzes own Sundance Golf Course, an 18 hole, par 58 course located in New Braunfels, Texas. Sundance opened in 1995 and features 14 par threes and 4 par fours. Due to its length and playability, Sundance was clearly a great site for junior golf. The middle school began offering golf classes at the course, and students quickly became attracted to the game. The match between Sundance and junior golf was an instant hit and soon Rob and Sue realized they would need help managing their growing junior golf program. In 1998, the Puetzes incorporated the Central Texas Junior Golf Association (CTJGA).

The CTJGA is based at Sundance Golf Course and through grants from the USGA Foundation and other local corporate and individual sponsors offers a variety of junior golf programs. Included in those programs are five Hook A Kid On Golf Tee Level Clinics, which introduce a total of 100 youngsters to the game. Sundance also currently runs a Green Level Clinic and a Challenge League each summer.

Recently, a team from the CTJGA won Hook A Kid On Golf's Traditions of Golf Challenge. The Traditions of Golf Challenge is an event that combines juniors' knowledge of the history and etiquette of the game along with playing ability. "We focus on learning the traditions of the game and playing to have fun," Sue Puetz said. The team's final score was 17-under, runners-up Valparaiso, IN and Prospect Heights, IL finished 15-under. "We had a great group on this trip. The kids were perfect." Puetz added, "we couldn't have asked for more."

In addition to its Hook A Kid On Golf clinics, Sundance offers junior golfers free clinics on Saturday mornings and monthly tournaments that cost only $5 to enter. In return for all they get, the juniors are also asked to give back; each golfer is urged to volunteer at various golf events in Central Texas. In fact, several Sundance juniors assisted at the Unites States Amateur Public Links, held this year at Pecan Valley Golf Club in San Antonio.

Why have the CTJGA's programs been such a hit with junior golfers? "The key to our success with these programs is building relationships with the kids. We stay involved with them and their parents," Puetz notes. Other golfers at Sundance also support the programs. "Because we have rules for the juniors that are strictly enforced, there is little or no disruption for other golfers," Puetz remarks.

The Puetzes' have established an exceptional junior program and have become a model Hook A Kid On Golf site. Any facility trying to increase their involvement in junior golf would be wise to emulate what Sundance has done. For more information on Sundance or the CTJGA, call (830)-629-3817 or visit www.texasjuniorgolfer.com.