Related Links: Learn More about the Youth on Course Caddie Program  

The Youth on Course Caddie Program in Kentucky officially kicked off this weekend, as fourteen caddies made their way around Big Spring Country Club for their inaugural loop. The generosity of a group of founding members for the Youth on Course program in Kentucky, some of which are pictured above, provided the funding to start the initiative and bring the dream of a youth caddie program to reality.

The caddie program gives Kentucky youth ages 14 to 18 the ability 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 10 rounds caddied. The program is being piloted at Big Spring Country Club, the Harmony Landing Campus at Big Spring Country Club, and Hurstbourne Country Club during the 2019 season.

“As we continue to expand the Youth on Course program by giving young men and women access to affordable golf, the Caddie Program is a tremendous next step to exposing our youth to this great game,” said Brent Paladino, Executive Director of Golf House Kentucky. “Not only will caddies have the ability to earn money and scholarship dollars, our hope is that they will become lifelong golfers along the way.”

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. Members of Big Spring Country Club and Hurstbourne Country Club can request a caddie or forecaddie by simply downloading the CaddieNow App on iTunes or Google Play or by visiting app.caddienow.com. Registering for an account is free and just requires an e-mail and credit card.

"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,” said Jimmy Kirchdorfer, Board Member of the Kentucky Golf Foundation.

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.

Click here to sign up as a Youth on Course Caddie »

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 31 regions across the country, including Kentucky. 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 55 participating golf courses in Kentucky, and over 750 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.