"One thing is the City of Fort Collins really supports Juniors...I think all the Golf Professionals welcome kids." -- John Gausman, Fort Collins High School Golf Coach.

"Growing up in Fort Collins there has always been great places to play golf, and our Golf Professionals really support and encourage Juniors." -- Dave McCleave, PGA, former Junior Golfer, College All American golfer, and current Head Golf Professional.

Junior Golfers are the future of our game, and the three City of Fort Collins Golf Courses are all Junior friendly and we will do our best to always strive to be such!

For more information specific to each Golf Course:
City Park Nine
Collindale Golf Course
SouthRidge Golf Club

Junior Golf Lessons

Junior Golf Lessons are designed to introduce and promote the game of golf to Junior golfers of all abilities. Our goal is to provide a fun and enjoyable learning environment that will stimulate interest in the game. Juniors will learn the importance of rules and etiquette, as well as the basics of the golf swing and the game. All areas of the game are taught, including putting, chipping, irons and woods.

Remember, when deciding whether or not to take Junior Golf Lessons...

• Make sure the child wants to do it, not just the parents.
• Don't send kids out too young. Make sure the child can hold a golf club securely and won't lose balance when they swing.
• Make sure that the instructor makes it fun.
• Make sure that any series of lessons provides instruction to all phases of the game.
• The size, strength, and age of a player doesn't matter.
• Don't expect too much too soon, and don't expect your child to be the next Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie.

Lessons

Events

• Junior Play Days are on Monday mornings from mid-June through late-August.
• Junior Invitational Event is in early July for girls and boys who play within their age range.
• Parent/Child Event is in mid-July where the parent and child (within their age range) play a scramble, alternate shot, and best ball.

Programs

• Junior Travel Team representing City Park Nine plays competitive golf against other golf courses, with weekly qualifying to make the team.
• City Park Nine also hosts the Annual "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Introductory Youth Golf Clinic in early June for Girls and Boys ages 7-12.
• City Park Nine has participated in the "Open Fairways" Program which tries to improve the lives of at-risk and underprivileged youth through golf.

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Lessons

Programs

• Junior Travel Team representing Collindale plays competitive golf on the Northern Colorado Junior Golf Tour (NCJGT) against teams from other golf courses, with weekly qualifying to make the team.
• Collindale features the Golf Academy of Northern Colorado which is dedicated to growing the game of golf by spending time teaching golf and speaking to youths about golf and the lessons the game teaches everyone who plays it.
• Collindale and the Golf Academy of Northern Colorado teach a Junior High School program called "Tee It Up For Life" approved by the Poudre School District linking golf lessons with real life, covering such things as decision making, considering consequences, and sportsmanship.
• Collindale hosts several Junior High School Gym Classes teaching golf, as well as working with the City of Fort Collins Recreation Division Adaptive Golf Program, and Collindale has always employed Juniors (ages 15-18) for the Driving Range. In addition, since 1997 Collindale has annually awarded an Annual Pass to a deserving Junior through the Bill Metier Award.

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Lessons

• Junior Golf Lessons begin in early-June for Girls and Boys ages 7-17 with weeklong clinics for a minimum of three weeks. More clinics are added if those are filled.
• SouthRidge discounts Golf Lessons to Juniors 25% to 50% depending on whether private, semi-private, or group lessons. SouthRidge also discounts volume range keys 25% for Juniors and provides free loaner clubs if needed.

Programs

• Junior Travel Team representing SouthRidge plays competitive golf on the Northern Colorado Junior Golf Tour (NCJGT) against teams from other golf courses, with weekly qualifying to make the team. The NCJGT is being co-ordinated by SouthRidge Staff.

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• Golf Professionals and their staff's from City Park Nine, Collindale, and SouthRidge Golf Courses co-ordinate and teach at the Annual "Fort Collins Fore Kids" Introductory Youth Golf Clinic in early June at City Park Nine Golf Course for Girls and Boys ages 7-12. The event is co-sponsored by the City Golf Board and the Golf Division.
• The City of Fort Collins conducts an Annual City Junior Golf Tournament in late July or early August using all three City Golf Courses for this competitive event.
• The Poudre School District Girls and Boys High School Golf Teams, and the Junior High School Club Teams, practice and play their tournaments/matches at all three City of Fort Collins Golf Courses.
• The Colorado State University Women's and Men's Golf Teams practice and play golf at our City Golf Courses.

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