100 Hole Hike raises nearly $40K for Youth on Course Alabama

By Gregg Dwalt, AGN Editor

Amount raised double that of 2020

Staffers and members of the Alabama Golf Association recently took a 100 Hole Hike to raise money for the Youth on Course Alabama junior golf initiative.

They walked and played 100 holes at the Short Course of the Shoal Creek Club, and when they were through had raised nearly $40,000 in support of the Youth on Course program offered at 14 courses across the state of Alabama.

In addition to the AGA staff, association members Spike McRoy, Stewart Whitt, James Salter, Will Swift, Jimmy Green and Steve Hudson participated in the fundraiser. All money raised goes directly toward supporting Youth on Course Alabama.

The golfers walked 15 miles and played 100 holes at a brisk pace, starting around 8 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m., in effort to advance the game of golf through the Youth on Course Alabama initiative.

“Junior golf is near and dear to our hearts, and it’s what we do – setting up the next generation – so it’s very important that we do everything that we possibly can to provide those opportunities to the juniors,” said Andy Priest, executive director of the Alabama Golf Association.

Youth on Course Alabama opens doors for juniors

The Alabama Golf Association and Youth on Course have partnered to open the door for more than 3,600 golfers in Alabama, ages 6-18, to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at participating facilities. The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide life-changing opportunities through golf.

“It was an incredible feat to participate in our second 100 Hole Hike and almost double the amount of funds raised from last year,” said Jeremy Gardner, director of junior golf for the Alabama Golf Association.

In its 15^th year nationally and its 2^nd year in Alabama, Youth on Course now serves more than 120,000 members and operates in all 50 states and Canada.

A donation of just $100 ensures that 20 youth golfers will get the chance to play a round of golf. For participating facilities in Alabama, the AGA recognizes that the $5 fee may not adequately cover the expense of the round, so each course is subsidized at a negotiated rate for the remainder of the green fee.

Courses that offer Youth on Course opportunities in Alabama are: