LOUISVILLE, KY - The Kentucky Golf Foundation, in conjunction with Youth on Course and CaddieNow, are proud to announce the Youth on Course Caddie Program. Beginning in May, youth ages 14-18 in Kentucky are eligible to become a caddie, in which they can make $50 per round. In addition, every caddie will receive $500 into a college scholarship fund after every ten rounds caddied. The program will be piloted at Big Spring Country Club, the Harmony Landing Campus at Big Spring Country Club, and Hurstbourne Country Club during the 2019 season.

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“We are truly excited to launch the Youth on Course Caddie Program here in Kentucky,” said Brent Paladino, Executive Director of Golf House Kentucky. “The Youth on Course program has helped thousands of young men and women gain access to affordable golf, and the Caddie Program is a tremendous addition to that initiative. Giving our youth a chance to earn money and scholarship dollars while exposing them to the game is a win-win for golf in our state.”

While part of the expense of taking a caddie will be paid by the individual golfer, the majority of the expense per round and scholarship contribution is being funded by the Kentucky Golf Foundation. The generosity of a group of Founding members for the Youth on Course program in Kentucky has provided the funding to start the initiative and bring the dream of a youth caddie program to reality.

"The primary goal of launching the caddie program in Kentucky is not only to provide our youth an opportunity to earn money and scholarship dollars, but also to promote the various health and social benefits of the game of golf,” said Jimmy Kirchdorfer, Board Member of the Kentucky Golf Foundation. “Our hope is that we will be able to grow interest in the game, while also fostering mentorship amongst caddies and the golfers who use them.”

The Youth on Course Caddie Program is open to all Youth on Course members (ages 14-18), which includes members of the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour and The First Tee of Louisville. Any interested junior golfer must fill out the online application and complete a short questionnaire. Following the application process, the junior golfer must attend an orientation session where they will be taught guidelines on being a caddie, how to use the CaddieNow app, and policies for the different courses. They will also be evaluated on their abilities and knowledge.

“We are fortunate to have three historic clubs in Big Spring Country Club, the Big Spring CC Harmony Landing Campus, and Hurstbourne Country Club, all of which have enthusiastically adopted the program ,” said Paladino. “I am confident that the Caddie Program will have a positive impact on the lives of many young people by introducing them to the game of golf, providing summer and weekend jobs, giving them access to scholarship dollars, as well as exercise and mentorship along the way.”

Interested youth looking to caddie may learn more about the program and fill out an application by clicking here.

About Youth on Course

The core purpose of Youth on Course is to provide youth with access to life changing opportunities through golf. The program was originally created by the Northern California Golf Association and has since expanded to include 22 states across the country, including Kentucky. Youth on Course is a national 501(c)(3) organization that provides assistance for individual associations to conduct the program in their region. Here in Kentucky, the program is administered by the Kentucky Golf Foundation and the Golf House Kentucky staff with the help of the national Youth on Course team. Youth on Course members can play golf for $5 or less at more than 45 participating golf courses in Kentucky, and over 650 across the country. 

About the Kentucky Golf Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Kentucky Golf Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable affiliate of Golf House Kentucky. Our core purpose is to impact Kentucky youth through golf by conducting various programs and initiatives, including Youth on Course, the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, Drive Chip and Putt and the Youth on Course Caddie Program. The Kentucky Golf Foundation is funded solely through private individual and corporate donations, memorials, special events and contributions from Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.