Johnsen, Evan - Junior Golf - Winter Clinic Series

Property: The First Tee of Greater Seattle

Location: King County, WA. Participating facilities: Jefferson Park GC, Jackson Park GC, Bellevue GC, Riverbend GC, Fehr Golf Academy.

Property Type: Daily Fee, Public (Non-profit Organization)

Program Contact: Evan Johnsen, Program Director (The First Tee of Greater Seattle)

Contact Phone/Email: Evan Johnsen: 425-503-4851, evan@thefirstteeseattle.org

Name of PD Program: Junior Golf - Winter Clinic Series

Type of PD Program: Junior Golf Program

Dates of Program: January & February

Results of Program

The First Tee participants receive small-group instruction from a qualified instructor. PGA Professionals provide programs and gain revenue in the winter months (off-season), and benefit from additional exposure to golf instruction.

2017 Revenue Generated: Each facility is paid approximately $100 per clinic for their instructional services, so with a full schedule their revenue is $400 per day, $1,200 per 3-week series, and $2,400 for the entire winter program.

2018 Revenue Generated: Each facility is paid approximately $100 per clinic for their instructional services, so with a full schedule their revenue is $400 per day, $1,200 per 3-week series, and $2,400 for the entire winter program.

Details of Program

• The First Tee coordinates two series of clinics in January and February, each series being 3 weeks in duration (every Saturday).
• Every Saturday, 4 clinics are held, each 1-hour and with approximately 6-10 youth. These are organized by age and/or level in the program.
• Clinics are led by PGA Professionals, and supported by The First Tee staff and volunteers. This ensures quality, consistency, and a great experience for youth.
• TFT coaches and staff record tips or instruction given to each player, and their administrative team compiles this information to be sent out after the series.
• Each 3-week series costs $55 to participants, and financial aid is available.
• In 2017, 250 youth enrolled at 5 different facilities (average of 50 at each facility).
• The First Tee compensates its own staff, and the instructor/facility at a rate of $100 per clinic, or $400 per day (given a full schedule).

Recommendations

• The First Tee is uniquely capable of coordinating the rosters for each of the clinics, since they have records on all returning members.
• PGA Professionals are most qualified to provide instruction, so their primary focus is on the curriculum and teaching. TFT volunteers and staff are on-hand help to support their teaching, delivery, group management, and record-keeping.
• PGA Professionals should promote their other instructional programs, including private lessons and junior camps, so that participating families can take advantage of those programs and learning opportunities, and the facility can benefit from increased exposure.
• This program is ideally scheduled in the winter, but of course demand is higher in spring and summer, so it’s worth considering a peak-season program as well.