PGA Jr. League National Championship

[jigsaw1011]

My son's team qualified this year. He got all his gear and is excited. Anyone else who has been there have any tips? Where to eat, what pool to go to etc.

 

Edited to add: When are the divisions made?

[leezer99]

Are they still playing it at Grayhawk?

[jigsaw1011]

Yes, Grayhawk Raptor Course.

[CTgolf]

Which team?

[BloctonGolf11]

> @jigsaw1011 said:

> My son's team qualified this year. He got all his gear and is excited. Anyone else who has been there have any tips? Where to eat, what pool to go to etc.

>

> Edited to add: When are the divisions made?

 

Congrats!

[golfer55082]

Most teams are returning teams from 2018 and 2017 National finals. PGA JL has the tendency to become an exclusive club at the very top level.

[leezer99]

> @golfer55082 said:

> Most teams are returning teams from 2018 and 2017 National finals. PGA JL has the tendency to become an exclusive club at the very top level.

 

So #GrowTheGame is totally working. /s

[CTgolf]

Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

 

Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

[BertGA]

> @leezer99 said:

> > @golfer55082 said:

> > Most teams are returning teams from 2018 and 2017 National finals. PGA JL has the tendency to become an exclusive club at the very top level.

>

> So #GrowTheGame is totally working. /s

 

I mean, grow the game doesn't necessarily mean the top echelon will become more competitive. But if national coverage and a kid-friendly format lead to more kids playing golf, then it works. From my perspective, they are trying to grow recreational golf numbers, not PGA and LPGA pros. In that case, it's working.

[jigsaw1011]

> @BloctonGolf11 said:

> > @jigsaw1011 said:

> > My son's team qualified this year. He got all his gear and is excited. Anyone else who has been there have any tips? Where to eat, what pool to go to etc.

> >

> > Edited to add: When are the divisions made?

>

> Congrats!

 

Thanks! He is looking forward to the experience.

[leezer99]

> @BertGA said:

> > @leezer99 said:

> > > @golfer55082 said:

> > > Most teams are returning teams from 2018 and 2017 National finals. PGA JL has the tendency to become an exclusive club at the very top level.

> >

> > So #GrowTheGame is totally working. /s

>

> I mean, grow the game doesn't necessarily mean the top echelon will become more competitive. But if national coverage and a kid-friendly format lead to more kids playing golf, then it works. From my perspective, they are trying to grow recreational golf numbers, not PGA and LPGA pros. In that case, it's working.

 

Before we break up Google, Apple and Amazon we need to be laser focused on breaking up the manufactured recruiting teams out there.

[BertGA]

 

 

> @leezer99 said:

> > @BertGA said:

> > > @leezer99 said:

> > > > @golfer55082 said:

> > > > Most teams are returning teams from 2018 and 2017 National finals. PGA JL has the tendency to become an exclusive club at the very top level.

> > >

> > > So #GrowTheGame is totally working. /s

> >

> > I mean, grow the game doesn't necessarily mean the top echelon will become more competitive. But if national coverage and a kid-friendly format lead to more kids playing golf, then it works. From my perspective, they are trying to grow recreational golf numbers, not PGA and LPGA pros. In that case, it's working.

>

> Before we break up Google, Apple and Amazon we need to be laser focused on breaking up the manufactured recruiting teams out there.

 

:D

[jigsaw1011]

> @CTgolf said:

> Which team?

First time ever from Metropolitan PGA section - Team New York!

 

[BobTheGoose]

Did Team New York beat Georgia today?! Wow. It’s a big upset against a strong team! Congrats. You guys helped Team California big time.

 

> @jigsaw1011 said:

> > @CTgolf said:

> > Which team?

> First time ever from Metropolitan PGA section - Team New York!

>

 

 

[jigsaw1011]

> @BobTheGoose said:

> Did Team New York beat Georgia today?! Wow. It’s a big upset against a strong team! Congrats. You guys helped Team California big time.

>

> > @jigsaw1011 said:

> > > @CTgolf said:

> > > Which team?

> > First time ever from Metropolitan PGA section - Team New York!

> >

>

>

Yes! It was a great match. Team Georgia showed amazing sportsmanship.

[leezer99]

Texas and Georgia heading to the final.

 

What I've learned from these two teams. Recruit the best and don't have any girls on your team.

 

[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large "https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large")

[mrshinsa]

Does anybody understand why Georiga moves on with lower points?

 

 

[golfer55082]

Wins/losses, and then Head to head as the first tie breaker, only followed by total points. California lost to the wrong team.

 

> @mrshinsa said:

> Does anybody understand why Georiga moves on with lower points?

>

>

>

 

 

[mrshinsa]

> @golfer55082 said:

> Wins/losses, and then Head to head as the first tie breaker, only followed by total points. California lost to the wrong team.

>

> > @mrshinsa said:

> > Does anybody understand why Georiga moves on with lower points?

> >

> >

> >

>

>

 

Doesn't that sound weird? Everyone plays each other once, so it should be win/loss, then points if tie.

 

Head-to-head should be for bracket formats, which this was not.

 

Don't have skin either way, but just sounds strange...

 

 

[Noles]

> @mrshinsa said:

> > @golfer55082 said:

> > Wins/losses, and then Head to head as the first tie breaker, only followed by total points. California lost to the wrong team.

> >

> > > @mrshinsa said:

> > > Does anybody understand why Georiga moves on with lower points?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

>

> Doesn't that sound weird? Everyone plays each other once, so it should be win/loss, then points if tie.

>

> Head-to-head should be for bracket formats, which this was not.

>

> Don't have skin either way, but just sounds strange...

>

>

 

I agree that head to head should be the first tie-breaker.

[mattwalterpga]

> @CTgolf said:

> Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

>

> Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

 

How so?

[CTgolf]

> @mattwalterpga said:

> > @CTgolf said:

> > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> >

> > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

>

> How so?

 

More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

[mattwalterpga]

> @CTgolf said:

> > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > @CTgolf said:

> > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > >

> > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> >

> > How so?

>

> More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

 

I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

 

Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

[CTgolf]

> @mattwalterpga said:

> > @CTgolf said:

> > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > > >

> > > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > >

> > > How so?

> >

> > More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

>

> I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

>

> Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

 

During the golf industry boom (before the financial crisis and Tiger's fall), there was a lot of competition to secure a decent tee time, get a lesson from an instructor, join a club, or simply play a round without having a completely packed (backed up) golf course filled with casual (not highly skilled) players. Not ideal circumstances for a serious golfer.

 

Growing the game could also arguably make it harder to gain entry to, and place well in, tournaments for juniors, as well as secure a roster spot on a team (high school or college)

[heavy_hitter]

> @leezer99 said:

> Texas and Georgia heading to the final.

>

> What I've learned from these two teams. Recruit the best and don't have any girls on your team.

>

> [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large "https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EG3SJW0U0AAJMsv?format=jpg&name=large")

 

I thought there used to be a requirement that at least two girl's had to be on the all star team. I don't like what PGA Jr. League has become. The national aspect has ruined what it is supposed to be. It is supposed to be an initiative to grow the game with players just learning. It has become an ultra competitive recruiting machine by adults. Not Fun.

[mattwalterpga]

> @CTgolf said:

> > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > > > >

> > > > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > >

> > > > How so?

> > >

> > > More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

> >

> > I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

> >

> > Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

>

> During the golf industry boom (before the financial crisis and Tiger's fall), there was a lot of competition to secure a decent tee time, get a lesson from an instructor, join a club, or simply play a round without having a completely packed (backed up) golf course filled with casual (not highly skilled) players. Not ideal circumstances for a serious golfer.

>

> Growing the game could also arguably make it harder to gain entry to, and place well in, tournaments for juniors, as well as secure a roster spot on a team (high school or college)

 

I see.

 

That's a tough way of looking at things. Respectively I can't agree with that stance. Thanks for sharing though.

[CTgolf]

> @mattwalterpga said:

> > @CTgolf said:

> > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > > >

> > > > > How so?

> > > >

> > > > More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > >

> > > I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

> > >

> > > Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

> >

> > During the golf industry boom (before the financial crisis and Tiger's fall), there was a lot of competition to secure a decent tee time, get a lesson from an instructor, join a club, or simply play a round without having a completely packed (backed up) golf course filled with casual (not highly skilled) players. Not ideal circumstances for a serious golfer.

> >

> > Growing the game could also arguably make it harder to gain entry to, and place well in, tournaments for juniors, as well as secure a roster spot on a team (high school or college)

>

> I see.

>

> That's a tough way of looking at things. Respectively I can't agree with that stance. Thanks for sharing though.

 

Fair enough - so I will politely return the question to you: what are the benefits of "Growing the game" for those who aren't golf professionals or work in the industry? How does it help the average serious player or competitive junior golfer?

[mattwalterpga]

> @CTgolf said:

> > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > > > >

> > > > > > How so?

> > > > >

> > > > > More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > >

> > > > I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

> > > >

> > > > Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

> > >

> > > During the golf industry boom (before the financial crisis and Tiger's fall), there was a lot of competition to secure a decent tee time, get a lesson from an instructor, join a club, or simply play a round without having a completely packed (backed up) golf course filled with casual (not highly skilled) players. Not ideal circumstances for a serious golfer.

> > >

> > > Growing the game could also arguably make it harder to gain entry to, and place well in, tournaments for juniors, as well as secure a roster spot on a team (high school or college)

> >

> > I see.

> >

> > That's a tough way of looking at things. Respectively I can't agree with that stance. Thanks for sharing though.

>

> Fair enough - so I will politely return the question to you: what are the benefits of "Growing the game" for those who aren't golf professionals or work in the industry? How does it help the average serious player or competitive junior golfer?

 

So I think the problem is you’re looking at it as to how it would help you. Golf can’t survive on “serious golfers” alone. Period. There’s just not enough of them. Serious/competitive golfers make up a very tiny % of the golfing population. I think it’s like less than 3%. I’d have to look again. So now you look at the fact most people who play the game will never break 90 and almost assuredly never break 80. Plus most golf stats count a golfer as someone who plays once a year...

 

Top 3 reasons people quit, time, money, and it’s to hard. So if you don’t provide initiatives to make people better to enjoy it they stand to quit. Not enough people play and the course doesn’t make enough to survive or maintain a quality I’m sure you would want to see in your tournaments.

 

So the end of the day your in a small bracket of players that can’t provide enough $ to make it sustainable. So we get new people to play as the “old” beginners quit to keep the game alive. Besides junior golf, golf itself hasn’t really grown it’s just stayed even last I checked. The same number of people are picking up clubs as are the ones quitting.

[CTgolf]

> @mattwalterpga said:

> > @CTgolf said:

> > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > > > @mattwalterpga said:

> > > > > > > > @CTgolf said:

> > > > > > > > Grow The Game: a concept that only benefits professionals who make their living in the golf industry

> > > > > > > >

> > > > > > > > Actually works against the interests of serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > How so?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > More competition for things that are important to serious golfers and competitive juniors

> > > > >

> > > > > I'm sorry I'm not trying to start anything but I'm still confused as to what point you're trying to make? Is "Growing the Game" bad or are you saying it's bad for competitive golfers? And if the later is true how do you define "Growing the Game" then?

> > > > >

> > > > > Again just trying to understand where you are coming from. Thanks!

> > > >

> > > > During the golf industry boom (before the financial crisis and Tiger's fall), there was a lot of competition to secure a decent tee time, get a lesson from an instructor, join a club, or simply play a round without having a completely packed (backed up) golf course filled with casual (not highly skilled) players. Not ideal circumstances for a serious golfer.

> > > >

> > > > Growing the game could also arguably make it harder to gain entry to, and place well in, tournaments for juniors, as well as secure a roster spot on a team (high school or college)

> > >

> > > I see.

> > >

> > > That's a tough way of looking at things. Respectively I can't agree with that stance. Thanks for sharing though.

> >

> > Fair enough - so I will politely return the question to you: what are the benefits of "Growing the game" for those who aren't golf professionals or work in the industry? How does it help the average serious player or competitive junior golfer?

>

> So I think the problem is you’re looking at it as to how it would help you. Golf can’t survive on “serious golfers” alone. Period. There’s just not enough of them. Serious/competitive golfers make up a very tiny % of the golfing population. I think it’s like less than 3%. I’d have to look again. So now you look at the fact most people who play the game will never break 90 and almost assuredly never break 80. Plus most golf stats count a golfer as someone who plays once a year...

>

> Top 3 reasons people quit, time, money, and it’s to hard. So if you don’t provide initiatives to make people better to enjoy it they stand to quit. Not enough people play and the course doesn’t make enough to survive or maintain a quality I’m sure you would want to see in your tournaments.

>

> So the end of the day your in a small bracket of players that can’t provide enough $ to make it sustainable. So we get new people to play as the “old” beginners quit to keep the game alive. Besides junior golf, golf itself hasn’t really grown it’s just stayed even last I checked. The same number of people are picking up clubs as are the ones quitting.

 

I don’t mind cycling new players in; of course the golf industry has to replace the ones that leave, whether due to loss of interest or death/age.

 

What I didn’t appreciate were all of the efforts to “grow the game” in ways that break tradition: foot golf, frisbee/disc golf, bigger holes, etc.

 

I started playing more than 30 years ago, long before the Tiger effect took hold and made it mainstream and for the masses, and back then it survived just fine without commercial efforts to make it a lucrative industry (which arguably is the problem with youth sports today in general).

 

As the POTUS once said (and please, this is not a political comment): “ I feel golf should be an aspirational game, something people aspire to. People should come to golf, golf shouldn’t come to them.”

[BertGA]

So this quote struck me from the GolfWeek writeup of the Georgia win...

 

"Georgia’s **_Brody McQueen, 11_**, who was paired with Sahish Reddy, 12, clinched the championship on the 8th hole when **_McQueen drained a 25-foot putt for eagle_**. **_He drove the par-4, 325-yard hole_**, setting up the dramatic putt."