New for 2023, The Colorado PGA's Junior Player Pathway Model
New for the 2023 season, the Colorado PGA has developed a new "Player Development Model" for all levels of juniors golfers in Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. The COPGA wants to ensure that juniors are being given the correct avenue to succeed through non-competitive playing opportunites as well as various levels of tournament play. Below, you will find our new 2023 Player Pathway diagram, goals, mission and more information on our new "Player Development Model."
Mission:
PGA REACH Colorado offers youth opportunities to learn, play, and compete throughout their skill development. Although our programs foster competition, the primary goals are to grow the game, provide a welcoming and inclusive environment, and encourage friendship, sportsmanship, honesty and integrity. We aim to utilize golf as a vehicle to instill values such as integrity, honor, and patience.
Goals:
- To create a pathway for parents and juniors to understand that includes development levels up to top competition.
- To connect junior and adult player opportunities.
- To remove handicaps from junior programming and base it more on actual performance
Player Pathway:
The most common question we receive from families is how to navigate the youth golf scene in Colorado. As the Colorado PGA Section, it is our duty to provide juniors a clear pathway to grow in the game of golf while guiding their parents, families and coaches in determining the level at which the junior will thrive.
The Tee Box
- Promote PGA Golf Professionals and their clinics through
PGA Coach
- Golf In Schools Program/Golf In Community Program
The Fairway
- Drive, Chip and Putt
- PGA Junior League
- Developmental Tour
The Approach
- Junior Players Series (Qualifiers & Qualifying School)
The Green
- Junior Cup Series
Beyond the Green
- Amateur Tour
More on Our Levels of Play:
All junior members will be required to take a rules quiz prior to being able to register for events.
1. Junior Development Series (Ages 6-18)
Mission: The Junior Development Series (JDS) is a way for juniors to gain a competitive golf experience in a more relaxed and fun environment. The JDS offers a non-intimidating, FUN, focused junior golf environment purposed to foster friendships, inspire commitment and offer guidance.
Membership:
- Open to kids ages 6-18 who have little to no competitive golf experience.
- New juniors will be recommended to start in JDS
- Membership fee of $100 annually.
What to expect:
- 3, 6, and 9-hole events on shortened golf courses
- Stroke limits
- Caddies
- Will be required to take a caddy quiz/in-person training prior to first event
- Levels of progression
- Rules of golf learning components
2. Junior Player Series (Ages 11-18)
Mission: The Junior Player Series (JPS) is the flagship level of our programs. it is designed to serve juniors on a wide range of playing abilities, from juniors that have advanced through the Junior Development Series to those looking to earn an invite into the Junior Cup Series. Players will strive to improve their games while game while gaining competitive experience. Juniors compete within their age divisions and earn points for the Player of the Year standings.
Membership:
- Open to kids ages 11-18 who have little to no competitive golf experience.
- Junior 10 & Under seeking a JPS membership will need to fill out an application and have their PGA Professional write a recommendation letter.
- Membership fee of $150 annually.
What to expect:
- 18-hole events
- 36-hole JPS Championship
- Junior Cup Series Local qualifiers
- Local qualifiers are for junior to earn spots into specified Cup Series events. Based on results from Cup Series event, a player may earn cup series invitation.
- 36-hole qualifying school offered in the spring and fall for junior to membership invite into the Junior Cup Series
3. Junior Cup Series (Ages 14-18)
Mission: The Junior Cup Series (JCS) is by invitation only. The Cup Series will provide an alternative opportunity to top junior golfers to hone their skills in a local competitive environment. JCS events will be submitted for the possibility of earning AJGA stars.
Membership:
- Membership will be offered by invitation only.
- Invitations can be obtained by Qualifying School, Players Series Points, or local qualifiers.
- Membership fee of $200 annually.
What to expect:
- 36-hole events
- Junior Major Championships (36 or 54-hole events)
Gaining Entry (starting in 2023):
- Player of the Year Point Standings
- Cup Series Qualifying School - 36-hole qualifying events for juniors to earn an invitation into the Cup Series.
- Local Qualifiers - These are one-day qualifiers throughout the year. Local qualifiers are for juniors to earn spots into specified cup series events. Based on results from Cup Series event, players may earn Cup Series invitation.
- Players Series Championship - Starting in 2023, the overall champion and runner-up for both boys and girls in the 14-18 division at the Player Series Championship will earn a membership invite into the Junior Cup Series.
**Membership Invitations - Players who will be earning an invitation for Cup Series Membership in 2023 will receive an email notification that they are eligible prior to Membership opening in January.
Beyond the Green: Amateur Series
Mission: The Colorado PGA Amateur Series is an opportunity for amateur golfers in the area to play a series of organized golf events at some of the finest private clubs in the Colorado PGA Section.
What to Expect:
- A tour for golfers over 18 years of age with all skill levels.
- This series will provide opportunities for members and their guests to experience being a "Member for the Day" at the finest private facilities throughout the Colorado Section!
- Managed by the Colorado PGA, this traveling membership includes:
- Online event registration
- Personal stat tracking
- Preferred pairings and tee times
