PGA Camps Blog
Director Spotlight: Jim Estes, PGA at Bowie Golf Club

June 6th, 2023



PGA Camps is proud to announce, Jim Estes, PGA Professional and PGA Camp Director at Bowie

Golf Club has qualified for the US Senior Open! He was one of two qualifiers at the Omni

Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA, with a final score of 69. The Omni Homestead Resort

offers some of the country's most challenging and historic fairways. It is ranked amongst the

finest Virginia golf courses, which is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Allegheny

Mountains. Jim has been a PGA Camp Director since 2020 and has truly acted as a steward of

the game. He is extremely passionate when it comes to player development and believes golf

can forever positively impact our communities. The staff at PGA Camps would truly like to take

a moment and congratulate Jim on his accomplishment. We wish you nothing but the best at

this year’s US Senior open at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, WI. Be sure to tune in

June 27 to July 2! To register for a PGA Camp at Bowie Golf Club, CLICK HERE.

Camp Location Highlight: Chambers Bay Returns as a PGA Camps Location for the 2023 Season

May 10th, 2023



PGA Camps is proud to offer camps at nearly 200 locations within the continental US.  Each location has a unique history and story, which its community is proud of.  Chamber's Bay, located in University Place, WA certainly has a rich history within the game.  The facility opened for play in June 2007 and soon there after hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and a U.S. Open in 2015.  The facility has also hosted the US Amateur Four Ball Championship in 2021, the United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship in 2022 and will the host the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2027 and 2033.  The facility certainly is welcoming to Amateur Golf, as the staff is heavily involved in the junior golf space as well.  The season, the team at Chambers Bay is hosting Half and Full Day Camps, both of which still have space.  We encourage those who are near by to register today, as space is limited!

Equipment: What is Best for My Child?

April 12th, 2023



Many parents ask, “How important is equipment for my child?”  The answer is quite simple; proper equipment for your child is very important.  Like other sports, golf equipment is specifically modified to fit a child as they go through the different stages of growth and development.  If we take a closer look, fields and courts are modified for young children, basketballs and soccer balls are made smaller for younger children, bats are lighter in weight, etc., so why would we not modify golf equipment for our growing young ones? 

 

Many adults are under the influence in which tons of dollars need to be put toward a young golfer’s golf bag; that certainly is not the case.  Starting this year, PGA Camps is proud to announce a new partnership with EPEC Golf.  EPEC Golf fits equipment based upon height, allows families to upgrade their equipment once a child grows out of it, is lightweight and offers an incredible rental program.  To learn more about the rental and purchasing programs EPEC Golf has to offer, please CLICK HERE.  

A Starting Point for Golf: Drive, Chip and Putt

April 12th, 2023



Drive, Chip and Putt is a chance for juniors of all abilities to learn the fundamentals of the game in a fun and welcoming environment.  Each participant will compete in all three skills (Drive, Chip and Putt). Participants will attempt three shots per skill, for a total of nine shots.  Participants will accumulate points in each skill and the participant with the highest number of points in an individual skill will be declared the winner of the skill in his or her age category.  The participant with the highest point total in all three skills combined will be declared the overall champion of his or her age category.  This fun, yet different way of competing within golf is open to boys and girls ages 7-15.  Registration is free for local qualifiers, where participants hit three drives, three chips and three putts. 

Local Qualifying generally conducted throughout May, June and July in all 50 states.  Subregional Qualifying is most likely conducted throughout July and August at approximately 60 sites.  Regional Qualifying is held throughout September and October at 10 sites and the National Finals are conducted the Sunday before the Masters Tournament.  To find your local qualifier, please CLICK HERE!

New Director Spotlight

April 12th, 2023



PGA Camps is proud to announce one of our newest camp director in Tim Wagner, located at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian, VA.  Tim has an incredible history within the golf industry, but specifically within the junior golf space.  He and his team are truly passionate in making the game fun, engaging, welcoming, and rewarding for all young people who play the sport.  Tim comes to Impendence after spending much time as the Head Golf Professional at Birdwood Golf Course in Charlottesville, VA.  The team is excited and ready to learn from Tim, but also take their program offerings to the next level.  To learn more about the Robins Junior Golf Camps at Independence Golf Club, please CLICK HERE!

What Type of Camp Should Your Child Attend?

March 6th, 2023



There are many different options when it comes to summer camp enrollment, especially when it comes to junior golf.  As we know, all juniors have differing abilities and experiences, so it may be difficult to understand which camp is best for your child.  At PGA Camps, the majority of our registrations fall into three categories:  Half Day Camp, Modified Full Day Camp and Full Day Camp.

 

Half Day Cams are typically for children ages 7 to 13 who have recently started or are new to the game.  Fundamentals of the sport are discussed and taught by the coach in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment.  Learning is primarily happening through games, in a group dynamic.

 

Modified Full Day Camps are geared toward those children who have played on the course, but perhaps not a full nine holes or recorded a score.  They understand the progression of how to play an actual golf hole, but do not know the detailed rules.  These are golfers who may range in age from 9 to 13 and are willing to be on the course for about two hours.

 

Full Day Camps are for golfers ages 10 to 16 and have played multiple rounds of golf independently.  Participants need to have a desire to learn, improve and be at the course all day either practicing or playing.

 

If there are specific questions in terms of what camp your child should be enrolled in, please do not hesitate to contact the PGA Camps team at 1-888-PGA-PLAY (742-7529) or via email at info@pgajuniorgolfcamps.com.

PGA Camps New Locations

March 6th, 2023



PGA Camps is excited to announce the addition of 40+ new locations for the 2023 Summer Camp Season!  Our new partners are located throughout the continental United States and are excited to continue the growth of junior golf!  Each location is listed on the PGA Camps website and has their own specific page as well.  The type of camp offering differs for each location, so we encourage families to look at pages individually, so they are able to see specifically what is happening near them!  Please see below for a list of new locations for 2023 (please keep in mind locations will be added daily for the next three weeks).

 

2023 New Locations

 

Bear Creek Golf Course: Medford, OR                            Morning Star Golf Club: Indianapolis, IN 

Blue Heron Pines Golf Course: Punta Gorda, FL            NorthStone Country Club: Huntersville, NC

Brier Creek Country Club: Raleigh, NC                           Page Belcher Golf Course: Tulsa, OK

Captains Golf Course: Brewster, MA                               Pine Oaks Golf Club: South Easton, MA

Chicopee Woods Golf Course: Gainesville, FL               Quail Valley Golf Course: Portland, OR

Diamond Run Golf Club: Sewickley, PA                          Rod’s Golf Improvement Center: Littleton, MA

Eagle Ridge Golf Club: Raleigh, NC                               Schaffer's Mill: Truckee, CA

Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course: Fairfield, CT                  Settler’s Hill Golf Course: Batavia, IL

Fusion Golf Academy: Woodenville, WA                        Southern Oregon Golf Academy: Medford, OR

Game of Irons: Oak Brook, IL                                         Streamsong Resort: Bowling Green, FL

Glendoveer Golf Course: Portland, OR                          The Broadlands Golf Course: Broomfield, CO

Go Golf Academy: Branford, CT                                     The Golf Loft: Tumwater, WA

Golf Club of California: Fallbrook, CA                             Timberlin Golf Club: Berlin, CT

Golfzon Social Palisades: West Nyack, NY                    Toddy Brook Golf Course: North Yarmouth, ME

Golfzon Social Scarsdale: Scarsdale, NY                       Toftrees Golf Resort: State College, PA

Island Pacific Golf Academy: Ewa Beach, HI                  Windcrest Golf Club: Windcrest, TX

Larkin Golf Club: Statesville, NC                                     Windham Country Club: Windham, NH

Liberty Lake Golf Course: Liberty Lake, WA                   X-Golf: Kildeer, IL

Maine Golf Center Freeport: Portland, ME                     Yorktown Golf Course: Shiloh, IL

Sim City: Portland, ME

Mooseheart School: Mooseheart, IL 

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