AZ GOLF FUND

Youth on Course
Provides young people with access to life changing opportunities through golf. Juniors can play golf for $5 at more than 35 courses in Arizona, with the JGAA subsidizing the fee. In 2024, JGAA expects more than 20,000 Youth on Course rounds being played – almost double the amount of rounds in 2023.

Financial Aid Assistance Fund
JGAA provides financial aid and playing opportunities to more than 20 junior golfers to participate in JGAA tournaments, with more than 80 total tournament entries at no charge, to make sure all junior golfers have access no matter what their financial background is.

College Scholarships
Robust college scholarship program, in the fall of 2025 there will be more than 30 juniors receiving funds from the JGAA to provide college financial assistance.

LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix
Changing the face of the game, LPGA* USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix empowers girls ages 3-18 with engaging opportunities to dream big, build confidence and develop athletic abilities. Through practice sessions, tournaments, and family events, it also enriches their lives by encouraging character development and lifelong friendships on and off the golf course.

AZ Caddie and Leadership Academy
A newly formed community outreach and youth development program built around training young people (ages 14-16) servant leadership and the ability to earn money, by working as a caddie for golfers. The program provides necessary leadership and life skills via classes such as financial literacy, communication, mindfulness, physical/mental health, and more. Expanding to golf courses throughout Maricopa County with a mission of increasing the number of young people that will qualify and earn the famed Evans Scholarship for caddies. This is a merit and need-based, full housing and tuition, life-changing scholarship.

Evans Scholars Foundation
The nation’s largest caddie scholarship program for caddies with a graduation rate of 98%. The Evans Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship awarded to high achieving golf caddies with limited financial means. The estimated value of a four-year Evans Scholarship is $125,000. Evans Scholars are enrolled at 25 leading universities nationwide and continue to expand to more markets nationwide.

National Golf Player Development Foundation
With a mission to significantly elevate the playing ability of young people from underserved communities, the foundation provides financial resources and support services by creating platforms and partnerships to promote player skill development.

Turf and Seed Research
The golf industry is continuously conducting research on new turf, seed, irrigation and water management. Breakthrough in these areas lead to more efficient water use and economic sustainability for the industry.

Municipal Golf
We are investigating several opportunities to transform municipal golf facilities from Phoenix to Nogales into thriving community assets. Funding opportunities for these projects are available upon request.

We are investigating several opportunities to transform municipal golf facilities from Phoenix to Nogales into thriving community assets. Funding opportunities for these projects are available upon request.

On Course Program (Expanding)
First Tee – Phoenix’s core youth development program offers weekly classes integrating golf and life skills for nearly 2,000+ youth across 16 locations, with a goal of reaching 2,800 members and 20 locations by 2028.

Inspira: Empowering Character Through Golf (New)
Focused on developing strong character in Latino youth through golf, Inspira aims to recruit 500 new Hispanic/Latino members and mirror the youth population and diversity of Maricopa County.

School Program (Expanding)
Currently in 168 schools and 17 districts across metro Phoenix, this program introduces students to golf, values, and life lessons through trained teachers using First Tee’s curriculum, with a goal of expanding to 300 schools.

Desert Mashie Grants Program
Grants would be provided to each young person who participates in the organization’s junior program when they graduate high school to assist with college, apprenticeship programs, entering the military, or whatever progressive path graduates choose.

Equipment Assistance Program
Support would enable the Desert Mashies to create a fund that would assist their junior Golfers with acquiring the proper equipment as they physically grow and develop as golfers.

Southwest PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)
This program introduces golf to veterans and active-duty military personnel to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The six to eight week curriculum is led by PGA professionals trained in adaptive golf and military culture. An expansion includes a new women’s veteran-specific initiative to further diversify support.

Special Olympics Youth State Golf Championship
This championship supports youth (ages 13-18) with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) through the game of golf. It fosters improved social skills, promotes inclusion, and builds camaraderie among participants and coaches. Additional funding could expand the championship’s reach, providing more opportunities for youth participation.

Birdies for Good
This program provides critical support to families at Ronald McDonald Houses, across the State of Arizona and Clark County Nevada, allowing them to stay close during medical treatment. In 2024, the program helped fund more than 1,800 nights of comfort. Expanding Birdies for Good could help extend its reach and benefit more causes in need.

Junior Golf Programs and Scholarships
The Foundation supports programs like PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt, as well as a scholarship program that assists families of Southwest Section members, junior golfers from the JGAA, and other youth organizations. Since 2011 the Foundation has awarded over $193K in scholarships. Expanding this effort would allow more aspiring golfers from underserved communities to benefit from financial aid and mentorship.

Turf and Seed Research
Led by Arizona’s world-class agronomists, the golf industry is continuously conducting research on new turf, seed, irrigation, and water management systems to reduce water consumption. Breakthroughs in these areas lead to more efficient water use and economic sustainability for the industry, which are key to the industry’s long-term vibrancy and resiliency.

Education and Recruitment
Expose high school and college students to career opportunities in turf management through the First Green program and internships, and develop support to establish a turf grass specialist curriculum at state universities. First Green also provides assistance with travel, housing and other barriers to entry in the field.

Team Arizona
Part of the USGA’s National Development Program, the state team program will strengthen the junior golf pipeline by creating development, competitive and talent identification opportunities within Arizona for elite golfers ages 13-18. AZ GOLF is focused on developing well-rounded athletes by providing the tools necessary to assist in their growth as competitors and help remove barriers and financial burden for our talented youth who may one day go on to represent Arizona on the National Junior Team.

Adaptive Open
Support AZ GOLF’s commitment to providing playing opportunities for all demographics, levels and abilities of golfers. The Arizona Adaptive Open welcomes golfers with disabilities representing all categories of impairment providing them with the competitive golf experience they deserve. The 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open Champion was Arizona’s very own, Bailey Bish from Tucson!