Page 27 - 2018 Western Amateur Commemerative Program—Skokie Ridge Country Club

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NEW WGA-BACKED ADVOCACY GROUP

Promotes youth caddying and helps develop young golfers

WGA partners with World Golf
Foundation and other organizations on
Carry the Game initiative to create more
opportunities for youth to work as caddies,
learn the game of golf.
Together with a number of leading
golf organizations, the Western Golf
Association is working to support
Carry the Game — a groundbreaking
initiative centered on promoting youth
caddying and golf.
Carry the Game is an advocacy group
Youth caddies are the focus of new Carry the Game initiative.
that introduces young students to the
game of golf by creating additional to promote the role of youth caddying the tradition of caddying within
opportunities for them to train and within the game of golf will help the game of golf.
work as caddies and encourages them ensure Carry the Game’s long-term
The initiative will offer resources
to become lifelong players. success while encouraging a new gener-
including caddie training materials and
ation of young golfers to play the game.
Through caddying, young people learn certification, a caddie club locator, best
valuable life lessons, develop a strong “Over the past few years, numerous practices on creating and managing
work ethic and money management leading golf organizations have programs, media and public relations
skills, and make professional contacts discussed the importance of creating support, and knowledge and expertise
on the golf course. In addition to being a governing body for youth caddying, on all caddie-related topics.
a great way to learn about the game, and we’re excited to see that the
“Through Carry the Game, our goal is
caddying provides life-changing WGA is spearheading this important
to provide young people with an early
benefits that are instrumental to their initiative,” said World Golf Foundation
introduction to golf by creating life-
individual growth. CEO Steve Mona. “The WGA is a
changing opportunities to work as a
recognized leader in youth caddying,
Carry the Game operates under the caddie,” said WGA President and
and we’re all looking forward to
organizational umbrella of the WGA. CEO John Kaczkowski. “Ultimately,
working together to help bring this
Participants in the effort include the webelieve the experiences and
effort to life.”
World Golf Foundation, United States mentorship gained through caddying
Golf Association, PGA of America, The Carry the Game will be a resource for are invaluable to a young person’s
First Tee and Youth on Course, among anyone interested in becoming a caddie development and will help cultivate
other groups. This special collaboration or forming a youth caddie program. In a lifelong passion for playing golf.
2018, the group has begun an extensive
“Some of golf’s greatest players, as well
research project to provide qualitative
as many of the world’s most successful
data on the current state of youth caddy-
executives, emerged from the caddie
ing and inform the initiative’s work.
ranks,” Kaczkowski added. “We look
The overall goal of Carry the Game forward to supporting current and
is to increase the number of youth future caddies as they continue the
caddies — and the diversity of those legacy of a game so beloved and
caddies — by helping to establish carry it forward for years to come.”
additional caddying opportunities at
Carry the Game will also share and
golf clubs nationwide. Carry the Game
promote local and national caddie
will also promote youth caddie
scholarship opportunities and
programs as a way to create future
resources.
golfers and preserve and enhance
A golfer and his caddie share a laugh.

2018 WESTERN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Introduction 25