In 2018, PGA REACH Nebraska, in conjunction with the Nebraska Schools Activities Association (“NSAA”), conducted a study so they could better understand the state of girls’ high school golf in the state of Nebraska. What they found was staggering:
56% of the participants did not own their own clubs and either had to share or borrow equipment from elsewhere; and
43% of the equipment being used was dated and borderline unusable.
Not surprisingly, these statistics were much higher for girls in historically socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods/schools. As a result, PGA REACH Nebraska began looking into how they could better support these girls and provide them with equal access to the game of golf, which ultimately lead them to the national Clubs FORE Youth program. The Clubs FORE Youth program is designed to provide high school aged girls (14-18) with the necessary golf equipment and resources to experience and compete in the game of golf. Through the game of golf, these scholar-athletes will acquire unique skill sets that only golf can provide.
Seeking support, PGA REACH of Nebraska reached out to Midwest Athletics and Sports Alliance LLC (“MASA”) to see if we would be interested in partnering with them to pilot the program in Nebraska. Of course, MASA jumped at the opportunity, and in July, girls from Omaha North High School and Benson High School began piloting the program. Assuming everything goes as planned, we plan to expand the program to high schools across Nebraska.
The PGA REACH Nebraska is a non-profit organization and philanthropic arm of the Nebraska PGA Section, one of the 41 sections in the PGA of America. They serve the entire state of Nebraska, the western fifth of Iowa, and a small portion of South Dakota and are committed to serving those communities and growing the game of golf through three pillars – youth, military, and inclusion. For more information about the PGA REACH Nebraska or to make a contribution, please contact Bob Danenhaur (bdanenhauer@pgahq.com).