Jefferson County Parks Junior Golf Program Gives Kids a Chance to Learn the Game
Affordable summer program offers tournaments, clinics, and a welcoming place for young golfers of all skill levels.
By The Jefferson Review
Young golfers can learn the game, build confidence, and compete in a recreational setting through Jefferson County Parks.
The Jefferson County Parks Department is once again giving young golfers a chance to learn the game, build confidence, and spend more time outdoors through its Junior Golf Program.
Ryan Quirk, recreation division manager for Jefferson County Parks, said the program has been around since at least 2018 and continues to draw strong interest from local families.
“Junior golf is something that’s been around since at least that I can track since 2018. It’s always been a pretty successful program.”
Ryan Quirk
The program is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 18, with age divisions for 7–10, 11–13, and 14–18 year olds.
In recent years, participation has consistently stayed in the 80s. Quirk said the program had 88 kids in 2022, 89 in 2023, 84 in 2024, and 81 in 2025.
For an $80 registration fee, participants receive access to three tournaments and two instructional clinics. The program includes five tournaments at four different golf courses, and families choose three of the five tournaments when they register.
The two clinics will be held Tuesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 25, at Sugar Creek. Each clinic lasts two hours and gives young golfers hands-on instruction from golf professionals.
During the clinics, kids rotate through swing practice, golf etiquette, pace-of-play instruction, and driving range time. Participants receive an hour of unlimited range balls while working with golf pros who can offer tips and help them apply what they have learned.
Quirk said the value is one of the strengths of the program.
“To me, it’s very, very competitive. It’s a great deal to get three tournaments plus those clinics.”
Ryan Quirk
The Junior Golf Program is designed for all skill levels. Some children come in with years of experience, while many are picking up a club for the first time.
“We have many, many of our kids have never played golf before and are coming to learn the game and have a great time doing it,” Quirk said.
Although medals are awarded for first, second, and third place in each age group and gender division, Quirk emphasized that the program is recreational and welcoming.
“It’s more of an encouragement thing,” he said. “It’s not some big competitive thing.”
That low-pressure approach allows beginners to learn the basics while giving more experienced golfers a chance to sharpen their skills in a tournament setting. Quirk said one high school golfer used the Parks Department tournaments as practice for more competitive play and even shot one under par last year.
For families new to golf, Quirk said children do not need a full set of clubs to get started. Participants do need to bring their own clubs, but beginners can manage with just a few basics.
“What I typically suggest is a driver, a seven iron, and a putter,” he said.
The Parks Department is also looking into possible donated clubs for the future, but for now, families should plan to provide their own.
Quirk said one of the department’s broader goals is to get more kids involved in outdoor activities.
“The biggest goal of ours is to get kids out and to touch grass. Get off the screen and touch grass.”
Ryan Quirk
The department has already seen major growth in other youth programs. Quirk said the soccer program recently reached 737 participants, a number far above what the department had seen before, and baseball participation has also grown.
He hopes junior golf will continue to build on that momentum.
The program also includes support for parents, grandparents, and guardians. Because tournaments are held on Mondays, many children are brought by grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives.
At the clinics, adults can receive a basic golf etiquette lesson so they understand pace of play and what to expect on the course.
“We have a lot of parents that have never played golf before, don’t know anything about it, and are just trying to see if their kids like it,” Quirk said. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback on it.”
Golf carts are available at the courses for parents or guardians, though families are responsible for cart fees. Quirk said the fees vary by course but are no more than $15 per cart.
Kids are generally expected to walk during tournaments, but Quirk said the department uses common sense when weather becomes a concern.
“If it’s 95 degrees and humid outside, I say go ahead and ride,” Quirk said. “I am not having a kid have a heat stroke on a golf course because he’s following the rules.”
For families looking for an affordable summer activity that teaches patience, confidence, sportsmanship, and time outdoors, Jefferson County Parks’ Junior Golf Program offers a simple invitation: come out and give golf a try.
“There is something for everybody in it,” Quirk said.