As a PGA Coach, you are uniquely positioned within your community. Local businesses, organizations, and clubs often want to support youth programming, and PGA Jr. League provides a meaningful opportunity for them to do so while helping families participate.
This article outlines sponsorship opportunities, implementation considerations, All-Star fundraising ideas, and the official PGA Jr. League rules and approval process you must follow.
Sponsorship Opportunities
PGA Coaches may explore a variety of sponsorship formats, including:
Retail businesses
Solicit donations or sponsorships from restaurants, ice cream shops, pizzerias, or similar businesses
Recognize sponsors with signage at practices, matches, or end-of-season celebrations
Small gestures go a long way, such as a team photo holding a thank-you sign that can be displayed at the business
Non-retail businesses
Team sponsorships that include:
A logo on a jersey sleeve
A patch on a hat or visor
Common examples include insurance agencies, car dealerships, and local banks
Always review the Rules and Guidelines section below before finalizing any agreement
In-kind sponsorships
Businesses unable to contribute funds may provide:
Snacks
Drinks
Practice-day supplies
These are still valuable contributions that support families and players
Implementation & Handling Sponsorship Funds
Local sponsorships can also create additional revenue opportunities for PGA Coaches and facilities.
Sponsorship funds or donations:
May be paid directly to the facility or the Coach
Do not need to go through the PGA of America
Even if a sponsor covers all or part of program costs:
Parents must still register their child
Players must still pay the $120 annual #GameChanger Membership fee
Common Reimbursement Methods Used by Coaches
Gift cards from the facility or Coach upon registration
An additional private lesson for each player
A direct refund
Sponsorships for the All-Star Season
Local sponsorships are not limited to recreational seasons.
If you coach All-Star teams, consider that:
Fundraising is common across youth sports advancing toward championship play
Sponsorships can help offset:
Travel
Additional matches
Special events
Rules and Guidelines (Required Reading)
Summary:
Before entering into any sponsorship agreement, PGA Coaches must follow specific PGA Jr. League and PGA of America rules. These guidelines define who may sponsor, what recognition is allowed, and the required approval process. No sponsorship may proceed without written approval.
Rules and Guidelines
Similar to other youth sports, PGA Coaches are encouraged to secure local sponsorship from their community in support of their team or league. A PGA Coach and local sponsor should consider the following rules before entering into a contractual agreement:
A PGA Coach has a restricted right to procure local sponsorship for their team(s). Sponsorships can enhance the benefits offered to your players (additional clinics, snacks, post-season travel) or can simply add to the bottom-line profitability of your program. Please note, sponsorships are limited to one-year agreements.
A local sponsor can receive tee-marker recognition at your home games and can have their logo on the right sleeve of your team’s jerseys. Only sponsors deemed appropriate for involvement in youth sports activities will be considered for approval by the PGA of America.
The only involvement-identity the sponsor can receive at their place of business is a team photo indicating appreciation for their sponsorship.
Prior to contracting local team sponsorship, a PGA Coach must receive written approval of the sponsor from the PGA of America.
PGA Jr. League operates under the sponsorship guidelines of the PGA of America, and at no time will a sponsor, deemed in conflict with PGA national partners, patron sponsors or with primary Section sponsors, be approved.
Sponsorships from the following list of PGA of America protected business categories are precluded from PGA Jr. League involvement:
Any golf equipment, ball, bag, accessories, apparel or footwear manufacturer. Dedicated PGA HQ staff will look to drive support both nationally and locally from these categories.
Timepiece (this includes a restriction on wearable technology that has time display functionality)
Rental car
Automotive
Soft drink/sports drink/bottled water/iced tea
Businesses in the alcohol, tobacco or firearms industry are deemed inappropriate for youth sponsorship. In all cases, the PGA of America maintains ultimate rights of approval or denial of local sponsors. Should a PGA Coach wish to secure a local sponsorship for his or her team or league, please use the following process to secure the agreement:
PGA Coach or representative solicits local team sponsorship (estimated value of approximately $200 to $500) from local area businesses, organizations and individuals.
Should a PGA Coach need clarification on the eligibility of a local sponsorship, please submit the name of the sponsor to your Player Engagement Consultant (PEC) who will secure approval from the PGA of America.
Upon general agreement with local sponsor, PGA Coach or representative sends the sponsorship request to their respective PEC.
PGA Coach submits name and profile of sponsor to their PEC for approval. No sponsorship will be authorized without this approval in writing. This process will be expedient and approvals will not be withheld without just cause.
PGA Coach will receive email notification with approval or denial from the PGA of America.
Upon notification of sponsorship approval, the PGA Coach may move forward with contracting, fulfillment and activation of sponsorship commitments.
Best Practice: Coach Perspective
Summary:
This real-world example highlights how local sponsorships can reduce costs for families, increase visibility, and spark long-term growth for a PGA Jr. League program.
“As part of implementing a PGA Jr. League team at Canyon Springs Golf Course, I felt it was important to minimize the expense of the program to give all juniors an opportunity to participate… The local sponsorship ultimately played a key role in the first-year success of the program… By the end of Canyon Springs’ first year in the program, I had numerous inquiries from potential new league participants and fully intend to expand the number of teams.”
Zach Abels, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Canyon Springs Golf Course
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