If the game of golf had a true authority, it would be the legendary golf writer Herbert Warren Wind. The guy who named the most legendary stretch of golf holes (Amen Corner) on arguably the most famous golf course in the world (Augusta National) knew a thing or two about what makes golf one of the great sporting pursuits an individual can enjoy.
Herbert Warren Wind also coauthored one of golf’s most famous books, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons. If you judge that book by its cover, you could be forgiven in thinking it’s just another piece of instruction from one of the game’s greats. In fact, it’s more than just a ‘how to’ manual by golf’s greatest ball striker, it’s a gentle reminder on expectations and goals, and how properly setting both can turn a hobby into a lifelong love affair. It’s probably why the first page of the first chapter is named “The Grip.”
“The Grip” and Getting It.
The SOPGA Jr. Tour exists to give Southern Ohio Junior golfers exceptional playing opportunities that purposely parallel with proper expectations. There are numerous goals and hopes for every player that tees it up every summer but the number one ambition is that the experience teaches invaluable lessons, builds character and fosters personal growth. For young athletes, having the opportunity to compete in a structured, well-organized tour can make all the difference in their development both on and off the course. Sharpening skills is important, of course, and on-course success is an important piece but the ultimate achievement is the enhancement of our players away from the first tee.
The Stance
Position yourself correctly and the foundation you create becomes the jumping off point for all of your future endeavors. The SOPGA Jr. Tour strives to be the leading Tour for Junior Golfers in Southern Ohio and we believe that the details matter. Creating the proper environment for development at all skill levels is absolutely essential for continued and consistent growth as junior golfers progress. Fun, relatively stress-free events go a long way in ensuring all our juniors grow at a rate specific to their own ability level.
There’s no better example of that than SOPGA Jr. Tour alum, Kary Hollenbaugh. Kary’s first few tournaments in her junior career created the foundation that took her from a junior golfer to high-level high school golf to Ohio State’s women’s golf team and eventually, competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur the week before The Masters.
The Backswing
Life Lessons begin the second your junior takes the club back on the first tee and the SOPGA Jr. Tour staff makes sure those situations happen in a safe, fun and structured way. We emphasize golf’s core values such as integrity, patience, discipline, and sportsmanship. Players learn to respect the rules of the game, practice honesty in scoring and demonstrate etiquette whether they win or lose, giving them real-world applications to situations and scenarios relative to their own ages. That translates into developing strong character traits that will serve them well in academics, careers, and personal relationships.
Downswing
Let’s talk about the benefits of fostering a competitive spirit for a minute. We keep score for a reason so what happens from the opening tee shot to the handshakes on the final green is an important part of what separates the SOPGA Jr. Tour. Acquiring mental “toughness” the correct way is perhaps more important than ever before as safe competition is a fantastic way to enhance that competitiveness at the proper, respectful level. Competing against other talented juniors gives players the chance to push themselves to perform at higher and higher levels while also handling pressure. Major championships are not on the line but the resiliency that comes on the downswing of seeing and feeling those competitive moments is an essential quality that everyone uses later in life.
Plan, adapt, recover, refocus and eventually, persevere. Learning to handle challenges—whether it’s a bad round or an unexpected obstacle—prepares young athletes to face issues head-on in all aspects of life.
The Sum of it All
The ultimate competition on the SOPGA Jr. Tour is the Junior Ohio Cup, a Ryder Cup style matchplay event where the best of the best from The Southern Ohio PGA Jr. Tour faces off against our counterparts to the north, The Northern Ohio PGA. Following the final pairing of the 2024 Junior Ohio Cup, Cadence Monroe-McCoy, a consistent bright light week in and out on our Tour said something profound that perfectly encapsulated what the SOPGA Jr. Tour is all about.
“The SOPGA is like a second family to me,” said Cadence. “I love it.”
Building Friendships and a community is the ultimate endgame. Our coaches, mentors, PGA Professionals and players support each other and work together to make the experience enjoyable and enriching for all participants
A lifetime of golf starts with the proper foundation and whether a junior golfer aspires to handle the pressure of Amen Corner on a Masters Sunday or simply enjoys the game of golf for fun, the skills and experiences gained from playing in the SOPGA Jr. Tour will stay with them for years to come.
