Aspiring young golfers from the Triad will be the beneficiaries of the newly created Mike Goodes Scholarship.
The Triad Youth Golf Foundation, the community non-profit junior program started by Precision Golf School, announced the scholarship and noted it will help a range of juniors, including advanced players headed to college as well as novices who are just beginning the game.
“Mike’s game and personality is embodied in the Goodes Scholarship Fund,” said TYGF President Chris Haarlow. “His hard work accompanied with focus and a greater purpose for doing all he does makes him an ideal role model for the young people of the community. Our foundation is greatly honored to have Mr. Goodes on the team and we believe it will continue to further create and enhance innovative programs for the growth of junior golf in the Carolinas and beyond. Certainly, the TYGF mission is enhanced and expanded with Mike’s presence and generosity.”
The TYGF, which is headquartered at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, offers several programs for young golfers. Included are a chapter of LPGA/USGA Girls Golf, the Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour, team golf for ages 5-17 and the J.P. Looneys Parent-Child Tour.
There’s also an enrichment program that utilizes school facilities for free clinics during physical education classes.
Goodes, a Reidsville native, is a student of Precision Golf School owner Robert Linville. Currently a member of the Champions Golf Tour, Goodes was a lifelong amateur until age 50 when he took a chance to play senior professional golf. He earned his tour card on his first try and worked his way up, making his way into enough events through Monday qualifiers to achieve fully-exempt status for his third season in 2009 and again for his fourth. Goodes has earned $1,760,563 in his 68 career events on the Champions Tour. He has 10 career top-10 finishes, highlighted by a victory in the 2009 Allianz Championship.
“The game of golf has given me so much throughout the years. I want kids to experience the passion I have for the game and take away the life skills that have given me so much,” said Goodes.
Plans for the Mike Goodes Scholarship fund will include annually supporting two college bound scholarships for advanced junior golfers heading to compete in collegiate golf, five developmental scholarships designed for developing junior golfers active in competitive events, and 10 novice scholarships for youth golfers just beginning the game.
“These scholarships will continue our foundation’s mission of creating access to the game for deserving aspiring young golfers,” said Haarlow. “These monies will go to kids who don’t have access to tournaments, instruction and equipment and make sure they’ve got what they need to play.”
“We’re trying to identify the young payers who have passion, love and enjoyment for the game,” he added.
A pro-am event at Bryan Park on Sept. 27 will be held with proceeds going to the scholarship fund.
