For the Love of the Game: TD’s Junior Golf Programs Help Young Players Level Up

By Will Apotheker

One of the great things about the Tahoe Donner community is that there are so many things to do. This inevitably leads to many smaller sub-communities where one can develop their passions even further. When we say there is “something for everyone,” we mean it, and this includes a variety of youth golf programs right here at the Tahoe Donner Golf Course.

PGA Jr. League

The Professional Golf Association (PGA) Jr. League is a haven for young golf lovers to get together every summer and learn the game in a fun, team environment. It’s a special partnership with the PGA that teaches not just the fundamentals of golf but also sportsmanship, teamwork, focus, dedication and safety.

Tahoe Donner Golf Course is home to three different PGA Jr. League teams to accommodate varying levels of skills and experience: Home, Development and Travel. All three provide opportunities for young players to develop their abilities on TD’s Golf Course while preparing them for competition with other teams and at other courses around the area.

The Development and Home Teams are ideal for youth golfers with some experience but who are new to competition. The Travel Team allows advanced or older participants to play and mentor young players, like Jake Reinhard, a 16-year-old program participant turned coach. “There’s just a really great community vibe,” says Jake. “The team develops a great bond out there competing every week, and it makes it a lot easier to learn when you’re having fun with your buddies.”

Unlike other programs that spend most of their time at the driving range or putting green, the PGA Jr. League teams get plenty of course time. The teams have access to the Tahoe Donner course every Thursday afternoon and some Monday afternoons for ten weeks. The travel team also gets to play at some of the area’s best courses, like Martis Camp, Grey’s Crossing and Ponderosa. “Tahoe Donner Golf Course is challenging, but we modify tee box distances, play formats and more to keep things fun, accessible and interesting for the various levels and abilities,” says program director and LPGA Professional Molly Springmann.

In addition to the course time, kids also get to ride in golf carts, test their skills in fun events like drive, chip and putt contests, participate in the junior club championship tournament and even go on a field trip to the Barracuda Pro Tournament. All participants also receive two personalized jerseys with their name and number and other great PGA swag.

“It’s really a great program and just a lot of fun,” says 12-year-old Barbara Kuznetsov, a member of the Travel Team. “Getting out there every day has really helped my game, and there’s a lot of friendly competition with the other team members. I look forward to it every year.”

PGA Jr. League Team golfer Barbara Kuznetsof poses with Annika Sorenstam at the Annika Foundation Clinic for girls’ and women’s golf.

One of the biggest perks, perhaps, is for parents who also love golf. While your child is attending the program, it’s a great opportunity for you to stay and volunteer as a shuttle driver or work on your game in a lesson or at the driving range.

Alternative Programs

Space is limited on the PGA Jr. League teams, but there are other options for young golfers looking to sharpen their skills over the summer. “The progression we like to suggest is to start with lessons, then move to clinics, camps, play days, then the Home, Travel Development and Travel Teams,” says Springmann.

Here’s a handy breakdown of all our program offerings based on golfer skill level:

• New to the Game: Try one of our lessons or rookie clinics.
• Returning Golfers: If you’ve already participated in a lesson, clinic or camp, check out our Practice Squad Clinic, camps, playdays, PGA Jr. League Home Team or level up with another one-on-one lesson.
• Intermediate Golfers: Looking to take the next step after a Tahoe Donner program and course experience? Check out the Practice Squad Clinic, camps, playdays or the new PGA Jr. League Development Team.
• Advanced Golfers: For our young veteran golfers, continue to build on your skills with private lessons, Practice Squad Clinic, camps, playdays and the PGA Jr. Travel Team.

Learn more about all non-PGA Jr. League youth golf programs in Tahoe Donner by visiting the website.

By the Numbers

• Program Length: 10 Weeks
• Three PGA Jr. League teams:
  • 1 Travel Team – Competes in tournaments around the region
  • 1 Development Team – Plays mostly at Tahoe Donner but will do some travel and tournaments
  • 1 Home Team – Only plays and competes at Tahoe Donner
• Registration:
  • Camps – March 13, 2025
  • Teams – April 9, 2025
  • Clinics – May 7, 2025

Click here to learn more.