Westphal, Austin - PGA Junior League Golf Family Night

Property: Avondale GC

Location: Hayden, ID

Program Contact: Austin Westphal, PGA Assistant Golf Professional

Contact Phone/Email: 509-551-5813

Name of PD Program: PGA Junior League Golf Family Night

Type of PD Program: Junior Golf Program

Details of Program

Background: Every summer we host a 5-week Junior Golf Series starting in July and running through the first week of August. Our program mainly attracts beginner golfers ages 6-13. Our program goal to get junior golfers to fall in love with the game of golf and advance into programs like PGA Junior League, WJGA and IJGA. Our junior series covers all aspects of the game from driving range instruction to actual on course play.

Over the last 4 seasons we have focused on PGA Junior League at Avondale. Juniors meet twice a week, once for practice and once for a team match. We encourage the kids to come out at least one (hopefully two) additional time(s) throughout the week. This year at the end of the year we hosted a family night. We played a 9-hole scramble tournament followed by dinner and awards.

We used a Yamaha Grant to pay for prizes, equipment, training aids and targets for the driving range.

Results of Program

At the end of the year family night we had 96 players attend our event. We also were able to add at least 4 family memberships primarily because of our junior golf program. I believe we were able to achieve our goals because we were organized and dedicated.

Revenue Generated: For the end-of-the-year family night we charged $10.00 for a member and $20.00 for a non-member. This generated $490.00 in greens fees, $925.00 in F&B, $180.00 in cart rentals and $490.00 into the merchandise payout.

We also had numerous people taking advantage of the restaurant by ordering drinks and appetizers. At the conclusion of the event we had several families interested in joining the golf club. We found that a lot of people were asking about private lessons and information about future junior golf programs.

Recommendations

I would recommend that every professional host a family night. After running this one event we have decided to do it once a month in 2019. Keeping families engaged at the facility is huge and really does improve the club atmosphere.