Sports Talk: 2023 Fall Middle School Golf League

By Our Town Gwinnett Staff

Although the Middle School Golf League (MSGL) in the past has had both a spring and fall season, beginning in the fall of 2023, league team play will only be available in the fall. Optional MSGL tournament play will be offered in the spring. With the change, the fall season will be expanded, with play starting on August 20th and running through October.

Players are assigned to teams of 5 to 8 players, generally based on middle school attendance, and receive golf shirts with their middle school or feeder high school colors. Each Middle School is encouraged to have a teacher or staff member as a contact to make it more of a school club sport.

The Middle School Golf League is organized with parents registering through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association. Regular play during the fall season is planned at Snellville’s County Club of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville’s Collins Hill Golf Course, Loganville’s Cedar Lake Golf Course, and Winder’s Chimneys Golf Course. Play also may be at Dacula’s Trophy Club of Apalachee, and Monroe’s Providence and Monroe Golf and Country Club Courses. Play is mainly on Sunday afternoons, with some instruction, practice, and tournament play on Saturdays.

“When we began the Middle School Golf League on Sunday afternoons,” said League Director Les Witmer, “it was a time when course play was readily available. The popularity of golf since Covid has increased golf course play on weekends. By making it mostly a fall league and having just tournament play in the spring, we think it will benefit all.”

Witmer emphasized that the program’s goal is to teach the fundamentals of golf and, through team best ball play, provide a positive environment where everyone participates, no matter whether just a beginner or a junior player who has playing experience.

“We’re really proud of the interest we have received in the past from these middle school players and parents and the support from their middle school administration and their cluster high school golf coaches,” Witmer said.