What is the Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program? The Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program is a collaborative effort between the founding associations of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation: the Colorado PGA, Colorado Golf Association and Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents' Association (the Allied Golf Associations) to introduce school age children across the state to the game of golf and the valuable life skills it teaches. Program Costs This program is offered to schools at no cost to either the student or the school! Funding for this program is made through the generous support of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, the Colorado PGA Foundation, the Allied Golf Associations of Colorado and contributions from private donors and corporations. Who Are We? The Colorado Open Golf Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation, with public charity status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service, formed for the primary purpose of fostering and encouraging the sport of golf in the State of Colorado through financial aid to educational programs aimed at developing the interest and ability of Colorado’s youth in the sport of golf and those who conduct, support and provide coaching instruction for Colorado’s youth. What Are the Program Goals? School, PGA Professional, Golf Facility Connection Ultimately, the success of the program centers on the synergy created between the three core elements: the participating school, the PGA Golf Professional, and the Golf Facility. Through this partnership children will be able to experience a sport that emphasizes important values that make for better citizens. A Sport for a Lifetime By connecting children with junior programs at green grass golf facilities, an opportunity is created for lifetime enjoyment of the sport. This partnership between the golf facility and the school is instrumental to the long term success of the Colorado PGA Golf in Schools program. Long Lasting Impact By unifying the Allied Golf Associations we will deliver a sustainable program that embraces individual communities, their school system and local corporate supporters in an effort to impact the children of Colorado for years to come. Core Program Elements Truly a partnership between the school, the professional and the facility

• Deliver the instruction where the children are – at school
• Provide a high quality, consistent program lead by PGA Professionals
• Transition the children from the school to the golf facility on a field trip to experience the game in its natural setting
• Opportunity to incorporate science elements delivered by the Golf Course Superintendent

Life Value Integration One of the attractions of the game of golf is a tradition of integrity, courtesy, respect and sportsmanship. Introducing children to this great sport creates an opportunity to reinforce these values as well as head them down a path to participate in a sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Sample Instruction Program The Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program is designed to be flexible in format to accommodate the specific needs and desires of the individual schools. Each PGA Professional and Golf Facility will take part in a Certification Process to insure that participants are introduced to golf in an enjoyable manner while seamlessly emphasizing the essential link between golf and life skills. Each day the instructor will highlight a life lesson that is incorporated into the lesson plan. It is the intent of the program to inspire kids to explore the game through engagement in activity rather than lecture. Sessions will begin with a brief (5 minute) icebreaker or team building activity to “set the stage” for the remainder of the class time. The majority of the class will be comprised of short discussions of golf concepts and demonstration of golf skills using “modeling” techniques and activity based learning. At the conclusion of each class there will be a wrap up (again 5 minutes) that summarizes the core golf and life values introduced that day. A sample schedule:

• Day 1 in School; will focus on Safety, and introduce a short version of the golf swing through chipping and pitching lessons and games.
• Day 2 in School; students will be hitting shots with a full swinging motion.
• Day 3 in School; additional activities focused on the full swing motion with an emphasis on games and team building.
• Day 4 at Golf Facility; students will experience golf on a field trip to the nearby golf facility. Here they will get to experience various aspects of the game (putting, chipping and full swing) where the game takes place.