WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A day after Austin Eckrot won the Cognizant Classic and took home $1.62 million., Local golf organizations used the winner and his story to bring more attention to the sport.
They want to expand the game and bring more attention to the sport.
Golf has always been a popular sport in Florida, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, golf has become more popular among children ages 8 and 9, golf organizations said. .
The organization First Tee of the Palm Beaches has been teaching the fundamentals of the sport since 1989. But they said more young athletes have taken up the sport in the past five years.
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“The game of golf has expanded significantly in this area,” said Darrell Bock, First Tee's director of operations. “Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a lot of growth and we’re probably seeing 25% annual participation.”
In the latest engagement statistics First Tee told WPTV, as of March 5, the organization had 1,892 children participating in its programs, one of the highest numbers in its history. It's one. They credit parents for getting their kids signed up, but they also believe it's the rules of golf that keep kids hooked.
“We teach values, perseverance, honesty and integrity,” Bock said. “Do you know of any other sports where actual participants call themselves fouls or break rules?”
Operations First Tee manager Savannah Mansuetti said she picked up the club in 2008 at the age of 8 and fell in love with the game.
She said she gives back by teaching the sport she loves.
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“It's really amazing to see this because I was one of them,” Mansuetti said. “It's just looking in your own mirror. My younger brother is 12 years old now and he's also a participant.”
Mansuetti said he feels golf has a bad reputation, but the more people learn about it, the more popular it will become.
“A lot of people think golf is probably the most boring sport,” Mansuetti said. “When kids come, it's a match between the parents and the kids wanting to be here. They've seen alumni come through the program. Many of our kids have college scholarships. I’m getting paid.”
Some of the First Tee's scholarship players have played at Keizer University in West Palm Beach, which has partnered with the First Tee to attract more junior golfers.
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“With juniors, we bring them into the game, get them started playing, let them see what college life is like, and maybe even some college golf,” said Peter Crossitt, director of the Keizer University Coaching Center. It's about receiving it,” he said. He said.
Keiser's Golf Coaching Center is in its third year. The university's efforts are to attract golfers from children to adults. Hundreds of young people have participated in this program, and he hopes to create the next generation of PGA greats.
“Unlike most sports, golf lasts forever,” Crositt said. “You can play this game into your 80s and 90s. In other sports you might have to end your career early, but this is a game that lasts a lifetime.”
