The Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship Series allows participants ages 10-18 to compete in a three-tier qualifying process culminating in a national championship. The organization has partnered with GCSAA and Harrell's to introduce young golfers to careers in golf course management. Photo courtesy of Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), agronomic product producer and supplier Harrell’s and the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Series (NBIII) have teamed up to create a program to educate junior golfers
on careers in professional golf course management while recognizing the work of golf course superintendents and their teams. The goal is to help strengthen the golf industry by introducing junior golfers to career opportunities to support future
golf course management employment needs.
Beginning with the NBIII Arizona Regional April 29-30 at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., junior golfers and their families at selected events receive a GCSAA golf course tournament fact sheet and learn how GCSAA member superintendents and
their teams prepare the golf course for their events.
While many tournament participants have goals of becoming professional golfers, the outreach program will provide insight on other opportunities for professions in the golf industry with a focus on careers in professional golf course maintenance and management.
“This partnership with Harrell’s and the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championships is an excellent way to educate young golfers on the work of superintendents and their teams while making them aware of different avenues into the golf industry,”
GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Providing the course fact sheet helps the participants learn about how different grasses affect play and will improve their course knowledge. We are excited to make young players aware of opportunities in the golf
course management profession and bring to light the work that goes into maintaining golf courses by our members.”
Talking Stick Golf Club’s GCSAA member superintendent, Paul Blumke, will be recognized Saturday for his and his team’s efforts in preparing the course for the two-day, 80-player event, which concludes Sunday.
“Our partnership with GCSAA and Harrell’s will help deliver educational opportunities to our youth and broaden their understanding of the turf management industry,” Notah Begay III said. “The game of golf goes beyond the professional
level and we thrive off teaching our players the principles to be better on and off the golf course.”
“Harrell’s is honored to partner with Notah Begay III Junior National Championship Series and GCSAA to support junior golf and provide more visibility into what goes on behind the scenes to prepare the golf courses for tournament conditions,”
Harrell’s vice president of business Jason Frank said.
The GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheets provided to the participants include that event’s tournament set up information, course statistics, turfgrass types and information on the men and women who manage the course. This is the same information that
the GCSAA provides to media covering professional golf events, including the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, Epson Tour, USGA and PGA of America events, and other selected tournaments.
Talking Stick Golf Club will be the home course of the 2024 GCSAA Golf Championships presented by Toro when the association holds its annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2024 in Phoenix. More than 500 golf course superintendents and
GCSAA members participated in this year’s tournament in Orlando.
