Latest news with #youthgolf
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Bubba Watson's RangeGoats GC teams up with youth to inspire golf's next generation
Bubba Watson's RangeGoats Golf Club is teeing off a thrilling new summer-long partnership with Cantigny Youth Links which will culminate in an unforgettable 'Goats vs Kids Golf Day' just before the team competes at LIV Golf Chicago. Located just outside Chicago, Cantigny Youth Links is more than a golf course - it's a vibrant youth-led community where young players don't just learn golf, they lead the way. From managing the golf shop to building leadership skills and improving their swing, these kids are shaping their futures on and off the course., This partnership brings Bubba Watson, a two time Masters Champion, and the RangeGoats directly into the heart of Cantigny's inspiring program. Through custom videos filled with pro tips and motivation, personalized gear, and special recognition letters, the RangeGoats are fueling passion and commitment among the junior golfers all summer long. The season's highlight, 'Goats vs Kids Golf Day,' on August 4, will give 45 lucky juniors the rare chance to play alongside Bubba and his teammates, plus participate in clinics designed to sharpen their skills and deepen their love for the game. Players earn their spot by staying active at Cantigny Youth Links throughout the summer - making every swing count! Bubba Watson said in a press release: 'I have seen youth courses before, but never one with a clubhouse run by kids. The opportunity Cantigny Youth Links provides kids to learn golf in such a unique and welcoming environment is incredible. 'I was amazed when they told me the kids are encouraged to call and make their own tee times.' Through this partnership, Bubba and the RangeGoats goal is to uplift, guide, and inspire the next generation of golfer For golf fans across the Middle East and UAE, where the sport is rapidly growing, this partnership highlights the universal power of golf to inspire youth, build community, and nurture champions for the future. It's not just about drives and putts, it's about leadership and dreaming big. Emily Burns, Head Golf Professional at Cantigny Youth Links, said, 'Having Bubba and the Range Goats out to Cantigny Youth Links will be a tremendous opportunity for our youth members to see how some of the best in golf improve their games and deal with challenges on and off the course. About RangeGoats Golf Club Led by two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, RangeGoats GC competes in the LIV Golf League alongside stars Matthew Wolff, Peter Uihlein, and Ben Campbell. Follow their journey @RangeGoatsGC and visit for the latest updates.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Arthur Blank Gives Another $10 Million Youth Golf Grant to First Tee
First Tee has received a $10 million grant from PGA Tour Superstore owner Arthur Blank through his ... More family foundation, pushing his total donation to more than $25 million to the youth golf development organization. With junior golfer participation levels at their highest levels in 20 years, the owner of PGA Tour Superstore – the nation's largest golf retailer – has deepened his longtime relationship with First Tee by gifting $10 million to the youth development organization. Arthur Blank, who also co-founded Home Depot and owns the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, has now contributed more than $25 million to First Tee through his family foundation dating back to 1999. 'Junior golf is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and that's no coincidence," said Blank, the owner and chairman of the Blank Family of Businesses. 'It's a testament to the power of First Tee, which has made the game more accessible and enjoyable for young people, helping them experience golf in new and fun ways.' Blank joined First Tee as a National Trustee in 2011. Since then, support from PGA Tour Superstore and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation have helped fuel the growth of First Tee's character-building programs across the U.S. that reach more than 3 million kids a year – at golf courses, schools and community centers. 'The innovative and engaging experiences that First Tee provides help kids build self-confidence and inner strength, qualities that will serve them throughout their lives,' added Blank, who has deep ties to the game (including ownership of the Atlanta Drive team that won the inaugural TGL championship) and is one of the nation's most influential advocates for youth golf development. "We're proud of our deep partnership with the First Tee and are committed to the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth.' Arthur Blank, left, sits with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan during a TGL presented by SoFi match ... More between Atlanta Drive GC and Boston Common Golf earlier this year. (Photo by Megan Briggs/TGL/TGL via Getty Images) $10 Million Grant The $10 million gift extends programming established by a $9.5 million grant in 2020 and will support First Tee's efforts to keep teens engaged with the organization, where they have access to safe spaces, educational opportunities and positive role models while gaining greater access to golf and its inherent values. Almost 3.7 million juniors between the ages of 6 and 17 played golf on a course last year, according to the National Golf Foundation, the most since 2005 and a 48% increase since 2019 (prior to the pandemic). Blank has helped create a pipeline between PGA Tour Superstore and youth development, with 50 First Tee chapters in markets with the company's retail stores receiving grants to support youth programs. That number will continue to grow as PGA Tour Superstore's footprint further expands. Store locations in PGA TOUR Superstore markets receive grants to support local First Tee chapters, ... More with 50 chapters already impacted nationwide. Additionally, PGA Tour Superstore general managers each year lead a five-week, in-store leadership series in partnership with First Tee that helps teens explore potential career opportunities and develop their strengths away from the golf course. The program was offered at 44 store locations in 2024 and there are plans in place to expand it to 70 by 2029. And perhaps most uniquely, Blank hosts an annual Leadership Summit at his West Creek Ranch in Montana, where 40 First Tee teens experience activities like whitewater rafting and horseback riding while developing leadership skills and learning the importance of relationship building. This week, 48 teens visited Atlanta for a leadership program that included stops at PGA Tour Superstore headquarters and Blank's other sports properties, including the Falcons and Atlanta United. The annual Leadership Summit brings 40 First Tee teens to Blank's West Creek Ranch in Montana, where ... More they experience activities like whitewater rafting and horseback riding while developing leadership skills. Blank received First Tee's Founders Award in 2022 for his support of the organization. 'Arthur's vision and commitment reflect a deep understanding that investing in First Tee is truly an investment in the future," said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, Chair of the First Tee Board of Governors. "Through this transformative gift, Arthur is helping open doors for young people nationwide – empowering them to grow as golfers and as people.'
