Growing the Game: The Story Behind Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa

Golf has been a pretty big part of our family’s life, so I’ve had the chance to see what this game can give a young person.

And I’m not just talking about learning how to hit a golf ball.

That’s one of the reasons Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa is an organization I’m proud to support.

It Started Right Here in Le Mars

Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa was founded in Le Mars in 2019 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering and promoting youth and amateur golf.

The organization raises money through tournaments, fundraisers and donations, then uses those resources to help create opportunities for young golfers.

It’s a local organization with a pretty simple goal: get more kids on the golf course.

I love that.

Golf can sometimes feel like a difficult sport to get into if you haven’t grown up around it. Organizations like Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa help create opportunities for kids to experience the game, learn and compete.

What Golf Can Teach

I’ve watched this firsthand with our daughter, Dani.

Golf became a big part of her life and eventually took her to Grand View University as a student-athlete.

As a parent, you obviously enjoy watching the birdies and good rounds. But you also watch your child learn how to deal with the other side of golf.

Because golf can be frustrating!

One hole can be great, and the next can make you wonder why you ever picked up a club.

You learn patience. You learn discipline. You learn that one bad shot doesn’t have to ruin the next one. You learn how to compete while still respecting the people you’re playing against.

Those lessons don’t stay on the golf course.

Bringing College Golf to Northwest Iowa

One of the organization’s biggest events is the Northwest Iowa National Invitational held at Willow Creek Golf Course in Le Mars.

This year’s tournament runs September 20-22 and will bring 22 college teams from around the country to our community.

Sunday begins with practice rounds and the College-Amateur Tournament. Amateur teams of four are paired with two college golfers.

The amateurs can use a college player’s drive on each hole before playing a scramble, while the college players play their own balls.

And yes, having a college golfer’s drive available is every bit as helpful as it sounds!

On Monday, the college players compete for 36 holes, followed by another 18 holes Tuesday. Awards are given to both teams and individual players.

A Tournament Built by Volunteers

One of the things I’m most proud of is how many people it takes to make this tournament happen.

More than 100 volunteers help throughout the event.

They’re working registration, providing hospitality, keeping scores, preparing the course, spotting balls and doing dozens of other jobs behind the scenes.

I’ve served as Registration Chairperson for years, and this year I’m also co-chairing the housing committee with Kevin Eekhoff.

It’s definitely one of those weeks where you get your steps in!

But when you see everything come together, it’s worth it.

Coming Full Circle

Junior golf, college golf and this tournament have all become connected for our family.

Dani competed in the Northwest Iowa National Invitational all four years she played for Grand View University. During her freshman year, her team even set a school record here in Le Mars.

Today, she comes back and plays on our amateur team during the College-Am.

I think that’s one of my favorite things about golf.

You don’t necessarily leave the game when one chapter ends. Your relationship with it just changes.

You might start as a junior golfer, become a college golfer, play recreationally as an adult, volunteer, coach, sponsor an event or introduce someone else to the game.

Supporting the Next Generation of Golfers

That’s ultimately why I support Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa.

Someone has to create those first opportunities.

Someone has to organize the tournament, raise the money, volunteer, introduce a kid to the game or encourage them to keep going.

You never know where that first opportunity might lead.

Maybe it’s simply an afternoon spent learning something new.

Maybe it becomes a lifelong hobby.

Or maybe someday that young golfer will be playing in a college tournament right here in Le Mars, with a very proud mom following somewhere behind them.

If you’d like to learn more about Junior Golf of Northwest Iowa, volunteer or support its programs, visit:

https://www.jrgolfnwiowa.org/