2023 – A Year of Progress

2023 marked the first full year of operation for the National Golf Player Development Foundation.  Below are key successes achieved by the organization.  They include:

• Recruited our initial class of NGPDF members
  • Eleven (11) young people are now official NGPDF members.  These young people range in age from 9 to 19.  All are dedicated to becoming purpose-driven players in the game of golf.  They represent seven (7) states nationally (GA, NE, IL, NY, CA, DC, and AZ).  Their cumulative GPAs are 3.6 or higher.
• Launched the Performance Development Evaluation Session Prototype(PDI)
  • Provided a local single day performance evaluation session conducted in Atlanta in association with the Junior Golf Hub.  The purpose was to assess the playing, physical and mental skills of our players.  Players went through a comprehensive full day session to evaluate each skill set.  Players received a documented review which will allow them to focused on specific areas of development. The goal is to conduct multiple regional evaluation trainings in 2024.
• Launched the Golf Reimbursement Incentive Program (GRIP)
  • Allows NGPDF to meet one of our core mission goals, to provide funding for NGPDF Members to help offset the cost of tournaments, instruction, practice fees and non-tournament greens fees.
  • Allows for the player to receive up to $3,200 to be used toward costs for these four areas.
• Established Resource Agreements with five (5) industry corporate partners.  They include :
  • OnForm –  Mobile video swing analysis app
  • PGA Tour Superstore – Discounts on apparel, equipment, instruction and use of indoor swing simulators.
  • Youth On Course – Discounted greens fees at local golf courses.
  • GolfTec – Discounted instruction and simulator use
  • Junior Golf Hub – Provides participant tracking database, PDI, regional camps
• Industry Grants
  • 2023 Recipient of Make Golf Your Thing – Grassroots Grant Program funding 
• Fundraising
  • Created 5 x $500 Club (5 year annual giving option)
  • Established GoFundMe page
  • Held two local board member initiated fundraising events 
• Conducted Zoom “Theme Calls” to inform NGPDF parents of industry opportunities
  • AJGA ACE Grant Program
  • Review of Junior Golf Hub Participant Portal 
  • Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Tutorial
• NGPDF Organization
  • Presented at 2023 African American Golf Expo in Aug
  • African American Golf Hall of Fame Induction
  • Founder and President, Mark Lowry was inducted in May, 2023