Franchise Players: Teach, Grow, Achieve

New junior golf program comes to Arapahoe County

Jon Rizzi | Colorado AvidGolfer

TGA may sound very similar to a golf organization with which we’re all familiar. In this case, the clever initials stand for Teach, Grow, Achieve—the objectives of a franchised junior golf program that has introduced the game to 300,000 youngsters between the ages of three and 13 across the country.

“We can do anywhere from Kindergarten to 8th grade,” says Kevin Carlson, a PGA Professional at Aurora’s Fitzsimons Golf Course, who recently acquired the TGA franchise in Arapahoe County. “At that age they’re learning geniuses; it’s about getting a club in their hand and getting out of the way. We keep it fun and interesting by rotating activities.”

He brings the game to juniors by offering physical education and after-school enrichment programs at elementary and middle schools, childcare centers and community centers in the Cherry Creek, Littleton, and Aurora school districts. The program also incorporates academic lessons in math, science, social studies and language. “The program is extremely flexible,” he explains.

Each TGA session comprises weekly one-hour classes for six weeks. The six-class session costs $100 to $120 depending on the school. “No matter what we’re doing, we start and end every class with a handshake,” says Carlson. Kids advance similar to the way they do in martial arts, with different color “belts.” Carlson has already secured a 15-person van to take his charges to Fitzsimons for on-course sessions. He has also partnered with The First Tee Denver and wants to expose the game to underserved communities.

“It’s great that one of our PGA members is getting involved in something that grows the game,” says Colorado PGA Section Executive Director Eddie Ainsworth. “The TGA program has been very successful in other parts of the country, and I think it will be an excellent complement to our Golf In Schools program.”

playtga.com/arapahoe; 720-515-5373

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