Youth 0n Course Initiative Lets Kids Play for $5 or Less
Also: Robbie Prater Takes AGA’s Alabama Mid-Am Title
Staff members of the Alabama Golf Association took a long walk to raise money for its Youth on Course Alabama Golf initiative.
The AGA staffers, along with Hunter Bronson, Spike McRoy and Jimmy Green, played 100 holes while walking more than 24 miles. When the day was complete, nearly $25,000 was raised to help fund the state’s Youth on Course program.
The day started at 6 a.m. and finished at 4 p.m.
“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, the Executive Director of the Alabama Golf Association.
The Alabama Golf Association and Youth on Course have partnered to open the door for more than junior golfers ages 6-18 in Alabama to play rounds of golf for $5 or less at participating facilities. The purpose of Youth on Course is to provide life-changing opportunities through golf.
“Yeah, I’m tired, but it’s been great,” McRoy, a former PGA Tour professional, told WSFA-TV. “We’re raising money for a great cause, and we’re trying to get kids involved. Put down your dad-gum cell phones, turn off the Xbox and come out and play a game that can change your life.”
Now in its 14th year nationally and first year in Alabama, Youth on Course operates in 38 states and Canada. A donation of just $100 ensures that 20 junior golfers will get the chance to play a round of golf. For participating facilities in Alabama. Organizers recognize 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.
To make a difference today and support youth golf within the state of Alabama, visit here.
To learn more about Youth on Course Alabama, please visit here.
Robby Prater’s birdie clinches Alabama State Mid-Am
Birmingham’s Robby Prater birdied the final hole to claim the 32nd Alabama State Mid-Amateur Championship title.
Prater posted 3-under 67 to close, with a 9-under 201 at Montgomery Country Club.
Red Bay’s Austin Sparks, playing in his first Mid-Am, took Prater to the final hole before falling a shot short.
“I knew that if I would hit the fairway, I had a good chance of making birdie,” Prater said. “I probably had my best shot of the week at 125 yards with a little wedge, 10 feet from the hole. Austin had a tough putt, a downhill slider that barely missed by a couple of feet. I got lucky.”
Sparks carded a 2-under 68. Overall, he was 8-under 202.
“It was my first time to play in the Mid-Amateur, so it’s unbelievable to finish second,” Sparks said.
Leesburg’s Hunter Hawkins shot 2-under 68 in the final round and finished 7-under 203.
First-round co-leaders Matt Gourgeot and Jackson King finished in a three-way tie for fourth place with Will Morrison.
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News.
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Featured image: Youth on Course
