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JGAA & Tucson Conqustadores Junior Golf
TWO ORGANIZATIONS WITH ONE MISSION OF CONNECTING THE GAME OF GOLF WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
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EVERY YOUNG GOLFER dreams of draining the long putt for the big win. And all too often the living room rug serves as the green. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona (JGAA) and Tucson Conquistadores Jr Golf give youngsters a place to bring their dreams to life through transformative schedules of golf activities and golf tournaments held across Arizona.
Best of all, the JGAA and Tucson Conquistadores Jr Golf operate under reciprocal memberships, making it easy to participate no matter which organization is running the event. In southern Arizona that means membership to Tucson Conquistadores Jr Golf – the umbrella organization for the Southern Arizona Junior Golf Association (SAJGA), The First Tee of Tucson and Ricki Rarick Junior Golf – also covers membership to the JGAA, which holds three big tournaments in Tucson annually.
In April, the Tucson Conquistadores Spring Classic tees off at El Rio and Silverbell Golf Courses. A rules clinic is held in May, the same month the storied Tucson City Jr Championship is contested. Then in September, a tournament is hosted by one of Tucson’s most celebrated local players – Michael Thompson – at Oro Valley Country Club. And that’s just JGAA events. The SAJGA also hosts about 20 more.
“Tucson Conquistadores Jr Golf has a big impact on the JGAA. By joining the SAJGA, you can enter JGAA events and vice versa. Tournament fees are required from there, and we work with families to make sure funding doesn’t prevent kids from competing,” said Scott McNevin, executive director. “We are likeminded organizations with the same goals. We work together to not only grow the game, but to provide the resources and guidance needed become great golfers and even better students and adults.”
The primary drivers of junior golf in southern Arizona, the Conquistadores know all about being good citizens. Since the organization’s inception in 1962, they have raised $33 million for young athletes. The active membership of 60 business and professionals with a total membership of 215 represents a vibrant cross-section of the Tucson community. Professional golf has been the primary source for the Conquistadores’ fundraising success. They currently sponsor the Cologuard Classic, an official PGA Champions Tour event held in late February with the proceeds spread across Pima County and beyond.
“I can’t say enough about the impact of the Conquistadores,” McNevin added. “They not only support golf and athletics monetarily, they put in their own time and effort to become a vital part of the events.”
Another huge benefit of JGAA/Tucson Jr Golf membership is enrolment in the Youth on Course program. This greens-feesaving program allows JGAA members to play at City of Tucson courses, more than 20 Phoenix-area golf courses and 1,200 nationwide for as little as $5.
“Youth on Course is one if the easiest and most cost-effective ways of getting out onto the golf course,” said McNevin. “As of now the city courses are available, but the program is expanding so fast that more courses in the Tucson area will follow.” The growth of golf left a lot of room for just about anyone to find their sweet spot within the game. Some juniors move on college golf – in fact more than 40 JGAA members this year alone did so – while others leave the JGAA with more recreational aspirations. Either way, the game will, no doubt, be with them for the rest of their lives.
