Junior Golf Program

OBJECTIVES

The City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks sponsors a large Citywide Junior Golf Program. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for children ages 7 through 18 to develop their golf skills, competition skills, and relationships with their peers.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATION

Junior golfers under age 13 must be certified before they will be allowed to play on most of the City's golf courses. To be certified, junior golfers must be able to demonstrate that they can consistently strike the golf ball in a manner that will allow them to keep a normal pace of play, as well as pass a test covering golf rules and etiquette. Once certified, the junior golfer must still be accompanied by an adult during play.

Juniors may apply for certification by having their parents make an appointment with the Golf Course Manager or Junior Golf Coordinator at the following courses:

SUMMER PLAY PROGRAMS

The summer play programs are offered from late June through Mid-August at the following courses:

Griffith Park Golf Complex (Harding & Wilson Courses) — (323) 663-2555
Hansen Dam Golf Course — (818) 899-2200
Harbor Park Golf Course — (310) 549-4954
Penmar Golf Course — (310) 396-6228
Rancho Park Golf Course — (310) 838-7373 or (310) 838-7561
Sepulveda Golf Complex (Balboa & Encino Courses) — (818) 995-1170

The fees vary by course, but are very economical. Starting times are set aside for play once a week in the early afternoon. On each day of play, guidance is given in the area of golf rules, etiquette, and sportsmanship. Although no formal lessons are given during the program, children are given tips and encouraged to take lessons offered by the pro shop teaching staff. Most of the pro shops offer a special junior rate.

COMPETITION

Most of the clubs conduct a Club Championship during the summer program. For the more advanced players, there is Team Play competition among the City junior clubs. Rancho Park, Griffith Park, Woodley, Sepulveda Golf Complex, Hansen Dam, and Harbor Park Golf Courses participate. At the end of the Team Play season, there is a "shoot out", followed by an awards ceremony with individual trophies. The results of the team play days are kept, and the winning team has its name inscribed on the traveling perpetual trophy.

Additional tournaments are offered throughout the year. Program members are also encouraged to participate in the L. A. City Junior Championships.

FUNDRAISING

Donations of money or golf equipment (bags, balls, clubs, etc.) are always welcome. The M.G.A. conducts an annual fundraiser in the summer at each course. Donations are used to provide support for the junior golf program to keep the cost to the players down. Any child who cannot afford to join any City club or City Junior Championship tournament may be given a scholarship for all or part of the entry fee. For children who show an interest in golf, but don't have access to their own clubs, clubs may be made available to them at no charge while participating in a Department Junior program.

VOLUNTEERS

Interested adult volunteers are always needed to help with the program. All volunteers must fill out an application, be fingerprinted, and be fully trained before working with any children.

TOURNAMENTS

The City of Los Angeles sponsors a large annual Junior Golf Championship Tournament during the spring. This tournament is open to all junior golfers who meet the U.S.G.A. age requirement. Entry forms for this event are made available at each of the city golf courses. This is a wonderful opportunity for junior golfers to compete with their peers, learn good sportsmanship and meet new friends. More than 400 juniors participate annually in this event. This tournament has historically been the "kick off" tournament for the junior golf circuit.

Notable Past Participants In The City's Junior Golf Program and Junior Championship Tournaments:

---

OTHER JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAMS