Spanning over 7600 yards, the Resort Club at Grande Dunes has been recognized as the “National Golf Course of the Year” by the National Golf Course Owners Association of America. In addition to its scenic location on a high bluff that provides spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway, it’s also renowned for its top-notch youth golf development programs and initiatives. These programs are designed not only to nurture the young golf talent but also to expand the horizons of the game by making it more accessible, enjoyable and a fruitful endeavor to pursue.
Golf Academy
An important tier of youth golf development at Grande Dunes is the Golf Academy. With the help of PGA accredited, skilled and experienced trainers, the academy encourages kids aged between 7 and 17 to take up golf. The curriculum is specifically designed to teach young players about the game fundamentals such as chipping, putting, full swing, and the rules and etiquette of golf. With an added emphasis on practical training, the academy provides ample opportunities to younger golf enthusiasts to sharpen their skills.
Junior Golf Summer Camps
Another key initiative of developing young golf talent at Grande Dunes comes in the form of Junior Golf Summer Camps. These are week-long programs that typically run from June through August. The camps are not just about golf, but also about character development and instilling values like honesty, respect, and perseverance that are tied to the game of golf. The participants also get a chance to learn about golf course wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem, making it an enlightening experience.
Competitive Junior Leagues
To encourage competitiveness among young golfers and to provide them an avenue to showcase their skills, Grande Dunes has competitive junior leagues. This platform promotes a team-building environment among junior golfers of varying skill levels. It’s designed to provide a structured league environment for young golfers to compete and socialize with their peers over the game they love.
Grande Dunes Partnership with First Tee
Grande Dunes has also partnered with First Tee, a youth development organization which introduces golf to young people. The goal of this partnership is to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The program’s curriculum focuses on the game’s positive impact on players’ social, mental, and physical skills.
Scholarship Opportunities
Grande Dunes also provides scholarship opportunities to young, deserving golfers who demonstrate exceptional talent, commitment, and discipline. These scholarships are aimed at supporting the young golfers as they work on refining their skills and aiming for higher professional milestones.
Through these programs and initiatives, Grande Dunes places itself as a key player in the development of the youth golf scene. The Resort Club is not just fostering the next generation of golfers; it’s promoting health, wellness, and character strengths that will benefit these young players for a lifetime. It encompasses a novel approach to make golf an inclusive, fun, and fruitful undertaking, encouraging more young people to participate and grow in the game.
Through these various programs and initiatives, young golfers are offered an invaluable opportunity to grow, not just in their technical skills, but also in their character. They learn about integrity, discipline, and the importance of celebrating each other’s victories. And most importantly, they learn that golf is not just a game; it’s a lifelong journey of personal growth and enrichment.