Mike Fay, the 2012 Michigan PGA Section’s Northern Michigan Chapter Teacher of the Year and 2014 Chapter Horton Smith Award winner, is the PGA director of player performance at Boyne Golf Academy in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Mike Fay on the importance of growing tournament participation and golf by involving family:
Here at Boyne we offer a four-round youth tournament sequence called the Boyne Mountain Junior Cup Tournament Series. The first event is a scramble where youth golfers can partner with any family member. The second is an alternate shot format which youth golfers can once again partner with any family member. Event three is the youth championship, in which youth golfers play their own ball for a score with no family member. Finally, the last event is a glow ball putting championship. Throughout the four events, youth golfers receive points based on performance in their age group. What’s great is that our tournament ages span 5-17-years old, and whoever accumulates the most points regardless of age is crowned the season-long Boyne Mountain Junior Cup Champion.
Mike Fay on the business impact of growing tournament participation and golf by involving family:
On average we see roughly 5-10 kids per age bracket which includes 5-7, 8-10, 11-12 and 13-17. Each tournament has a small entry fee from which we generate significant resort revenue yearly. Additionally, I get the community involved by connecting with local businesses to sponsor each event. Local movie theaters, an entertainment park and sporting complex have all been involved by contributing prizes for participants. Not only is this format great for youth golfers, but it is strong for player development and growing the game of golf as we engage parents and family members in this lifelong game they can share with family and friends.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email Fay@pga.com
Editor’s note: The above comments reflect the opinion and experiences of the submitting PGA Professional and are not endorsed by PGA Magazine or the PGA of America.