The PGA has contributed a total of $500,000 over the past 10 years to fund the Louisville Urban League’s Urban Youth Golf Program (UYGP).  The investment has resulted in the participation of over 1,500 local youth from diverse neighborhoods and backgrounds since the program’s conception.  Additionally, since its beginning, over 8,000 Metro Louisville youth, ages 11 to 18, have been exposed to the game through an annual recruitment campaign and weekly demonstrations in schools, community centers and youth clubs.

The seed of UYGP dates back to 1996 when local civil rights activist Rev. Louis Coleman, Jr. called upon the PGA to provide more inclusive opportunities.  The PGA responded to the challenge  by funding a Louisville-area program that introduces inner city and minority youth to golf and also helps them to develop important life skills.  The funding is through the golf organization’s charitable wing--the PGA Foundation.  

Interest in the UYGP grew during its formative years and was the impetus for starting another junior golf program—First Tee of Louisville.  The close tie between the two organizations has resulted in an ongoing partnership since 2005, with First Tee making its comprehensive curriculum and other resources available to further enhance UYGP goals.  

The junior golf program is held year-around at the Shawnee Golf Course, located in west Louisville.  The program targets youth in grades 5 through 12, who are attending school regularly, passing academically, and have a positive attitude.  Participants must also live in the Louisville and Southern Indiana area.   

Participants meet a total of 46 weeks--twice weekly after-school and during the summer--for golf instruction by PGA professionals and life skills development by Urban League staff.  The comprehensive curriculum seeks to develop in the youth a love for golf and instill in them such personal qualities as self-discipline, educational achievement, appreciation for cultural enrichment opportunities, and other character-building attributes.

The program’s core attributes--an appreciation of golf and the development of personal character--have formed the basis for participants’ future success as adults.  Program alums include: Brian Kim (2002 UYGP), graduate of Yale University with Ivy League honors in golf; Jordan Barnes (2003 UYGP), graduate of St. Louis University; Cory Carson (2003 UYGP), attending University of Louisville and is an assistant manager for Kroger; and Matt Savage (2005 UYGP), currently attending Florida State University on a golf scholarship and a nationally ranked NCAA golfer.

Note: Upon request, interviews can be arranged with past graduates, grade school and high school students currently in the program, and PGA players and Louisville Urban League staff involved in the UYGP.