Any of you sign your kids up for PGA Jr League?

[heavy_hitter]

18 hours ago, kekoa said:

Every time I see the jr league on golf channel it hits a nerve.  Yah sour grapes.  lmao!!

I agree with you.  To me, PGA Junior League has become a money grab.  I have no interest in watching this crap on TV.  Yes, it is pure crap.  What is meant to be a developmental program has become a cash cow where teams are recruited to get on TV.  Adults have ruined it.

Edited October 7, 2022 by heavy_hitter

[kekoa]

4 hours ago, leezer99 said:

 

Yea, because you guys had the expectation of going to the national championship instead of just doing it for fun. 

 You are right.  No way I'm spending that kind of money and time for 'fun'.  Jr golf isn't meant to be fun if you do it at a high level.  

[leezer99]

11 minutes ago, kekoa said:

 You are right.  No way I'm spending that kind of money and time for 'fun'.  Jr golf isn't meant to be fun if you do it at a high level.  

Every game you play before puberty means everything and is absolutely meaningless.

Use these games to help kids learn to love the game and do everything you can to just keep them healthy.  -TH

[leezer99]

What a shot!

 

Great 9 by California today!

 

[leezer99]

Another nice shot!

 

 

 

[leezer99]

Let’s go SoCal!

 

 

[Cali_Stinger77]

I'm watching the PGA JR League Championship rn on ESPN+ and these kids have game! Not sure if it's a money grab but it's fun to watch

[yellowlover519]

This was the most impressive thing that happened all week.  He also won long drive contest with 171 ball speed.  Finau’s nephew came in second with 160-something ball speed.

 

 

[MikekiM]

Had a great time there.  The event is amazing and first class the whole way.  The kids had a blast and are understandably totally sad now that it's all over for them.

On 10/7/2022 at 5:16 AM, leezer99 said:

 

Sounds like a great time! Wouldn't worry about the bombers... putting wins these things.

So true.  My son's pair was so close to taking down the bomber on that final day in the championship match.  They made huge putts on 11 and 15 to tie those holes and keep the match close all day.

 

[MikekiM]

13 hours ago, yellowlover519 said:

This was the most impressive thing that happened all week.  He also won long drive contest with 171 ball speed.  Finau’s nephew came in second with 160-something ball speed.

 

 

A second player on their team drove the same green on the Sunday match play.  The lefty, Russell.  Front pin and his ball rolled to the back and they ended up not using it.

 

 

[yellowlover519]

Wotnosky and Finau’s nephew are big.  Russel is not.  Super impressive.  He also made it to match play for the USGAJunior Am, I think.

[kekoa]

7 minutes ago, yellowlover519 said:

Wotnosky and Finau’s nephew are big.  Russel is not.  Super impressive.  He also made it to match play for the USGAJunior Am, I think.

Isn't Russel a Florida kid or did he relocate to NC?  

[jigsaw1011]

My son played in the Nat'l Championship in 2019.  Two big kids from Cali during the long drive contest both hit their drives out of the range.  We are talking over 315 yards.  Arizona air is just different.

46 minutes ago, MikekiM said:

A second player on their team drove the same green on the Sunday match play.  The lefty, Russell.  Front pin and his ball rolled to the back and they ended up not using it.

 

 

[MikekiM]

1 hour ago, kekoa said:

Isn't Russel a Florida kid or did he relocate to NC?  

You weren't the only one asking that..

[Orange Hog]

Totally forgot to watch the National coverage so I'll have to see if it's still available for replay on ESPN+.  My kiddos started playing PGA Jr League this year and had a great time doing it at the local level.

[heavy_hitter]

19 hours ago, kekoa said:

Isn't Russel a Florida kid or did he relocate to NC?  

If it is Miles, he lives in Jacksonville.  This is exactly what I mean by recruiting and adults ruining this event.

[leezer99]

6 minutes ago, heavy_hitter said:

If it is Miles, he lives in Jacksonville.  This is exactly what I mean by recruiting and adults ruining this event.

 

Completely within the spirit of the game to recruit across state borders. Very similar to a friend of ours who is recruiting kids to play on the same high school team... word for word he said to another parent 'if you want to win you'll want to play at XYZ school'. 

[Movingday]

Have to love youth sports. It’s all about the kids!

[heavy_hitter]

20 minutes ago, leezer99 said:

 

Completely within the spirit of the game to recruit across state borders. Very similar to a friend of ours who is recruiting kids to play on the same high school team... word for word he said to another parent 'if you want to win you'll want to play at XYZ school'. 

Not like he is playing for a school in Georgia which is right across the border.  PGA Junior League is a developmental league and with the capturing of flags it isn't about winning.  It is about introduction to golf.  This kid is playing for a team across 3 state borders.  I disagree that it is within the spirit of the game based on the mission statement of PGA Jr. League.  Even in High School recruiting is against the very essence of HS sports and not within the spirit of what HS golf is.

 

First and foremost, PGA Jr. League is about the enriching experiences provided by PGA Coaches and Assistant Coaches that transcend the game of golf itself. These experiences extend beyond playing and competing; it’s about the social connections among families and friends and making fun memories that will last for a lifetime. By embracing the core values of PGA Jr. League––Safety, Care and Organization––Coaches deliver amazing experiences that create far-reaching value for everyone involved.

[kekoa]

2 hours ago, leezer99 said:

 

Completely within the spirit of the game to recruit across state borders. Very similar to a friend of ours who is recruiting kids to play on the same high school team... word for word he said to another parent 'if you want to win you'll want to play at XYZ school'. 

My son was going to play for a team about 2 hours from where we live, but the coach said he would have to attend weekly practices.  The nerve!!!

[yellowlover519]

I agree with Heavy on what Jr. League achieves to do at a local level.  But if you want to grow the game and get eyeballs on golf, I don’t mind creating super teams at the all star level, so long as they compete in X number of local matches.  You’re not going to bring new eyeballs to the sport being shown on a major network without some spectacular play and highlights.  If I could change one thing, I would require at least two circle tee players (e.g., girls or boys 11U).
 

I just don’t see how you achieve promoting the game with highlights and ridiculous scores (albeit in a scramble) and limit players to confined area; some states are tiny and multiple states/areas would be the equivalent of a Texas or Southern CA.  
 

I think Junior League All Stars is going to evolve more into what NC did this year.  Create super teams in your region.  It’s only going to get more and more competitive.  And I’m okay with that, bc I think it will bring more eyeballs to golf.

It would also be cool if they had a 17U nationals with more of a Ryder Cup format (not scramble).

Edited October 12, 2022 by yellowlover519

[heavy_hitter]

19 minutes ago, yellowlover519 said:

I agree with Heavy on what Jr. League achieves to do at a local level.  But if you want to grow the game and get eyeballs on golf, I don’t mind creating super teams at the all star level, so long as they compete in X number of local matches.  You’re not going to bring new eyeballs to the sport being shown on a major network without some spectacular play and highlights.  If I could change one thing, I would require at least two circle tee players (e.g., girls or boys 11U).
 

I just don’t see how you achieve promoting the game with highlights and ridiculous scores (albeit in a scramble) and limit players to confined area; some states are tiny and multiple states/areas would be the equivalent of a Texas or Southern CA.  
 

I think Junior League All Stars is going to evolve more into what NC did this year.  Create super teams in your region.  It’s only going to get more and more competitive.  And I’m okay with that, bc I think it will bring more eyeballs to golf.

It would also be cool if they had a 17U nationals with more of a Ryder Cup format (not scramble).

I think the entire "grow the game of golf" mantra is BS.    If something can't be explained the talking heads throw out "grow the game of golf".  This is not a shot at you.  I am just tired of hearing about growing the game.

 

I don't see how televising super Scramble Teams of 12 year old grows the game.  The only people that are watching are the people that are in that small niche of junior golfers along with friends or parents that are keeping up anyway.  I just don't buy it.

 

Super Teams have one PGA Jr league every year since the inception except the first.  This is nothing new.

[leezer99]

1 hour ago, kekoa said:

My son was going to play for a team about 2 hours from where we live, but the coach said he would have to attend weekly practices.  The nerve!!!

I hear ya. It’s funny to hear so many coaches and parents say things like “everyone has their own journey” or “kids all develop differently” but then they try and force them to be friends and measure success on what other kids are doing. There isn’t a singular path but lots of dads just play follow the leader. I’d say kids would have more success following their own path which is why I commend you for playing on that newer tour started by DM and JRL. 

[ezra76]

I'm excited for son to start this. There are a lot of kids doing it nearby so trying to decide on the best course to take him to. He's got a great swing but needs to put the rest together. Really ready to get out from golf with his 16 handicap dad nagging him about pace of play and learn from a good coach and other older players. 😁

[MahalNeneng]

On 10/12/2022 at 8:47 AM, heavy_hitter said:

If it is Miles, he lives in Jacksonville.  This is exactly what I mean by recruiting and adults ruining this event.

ya we were recruited several years ago for a houston team. no way im driving 6 hours round trip for 2 hours of fun golf... we passed.

[heavy_hitter]

1 minute ago, rpawly said:

ya we were recruited several years ago for a houston team. no way im driving 6 hours round trip for 2 hours of fun golf... we passed.

You know they didn't travel until All Stars either.