PGA Jr. League Names National Car Rental Its First Title Partner For Its Championship Season

The PGA of America and PGA REACH have entered into a historic partnership with National Car Rental, which has been named the inaugural title partner of the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.

PGA Jr. League is the flagship youth pillar program of the PGA of America’s 501(c)(3) foundation, PGA Foundation, Inc. Boys and girls ages 17 and under learn and play golf on teams, wear numbered jerseys and receive expert coaching from PGA Professionals. No golf experience is required to participate, making PGA Jr. League a welcoming, team-based on-ramp to the game for beginners, and a nurturing introduction to competition for others.

National has been PGA Jr. League’s biggest corporate partner since 2018, as well as an Official Partner and the Official Rental Car of the PGA of America since 2012. National’s new title partnership aims to continue fueling meaningful growth of PGA Jr. League and supporting the program’s endeavors to welcome more kids to the game.

“It’s wonderful to have a partner in National Car Rental who is committed to supporting junior golf and the PGA Professionals who are coaching the future generation of our sport,” said PGA President Jim Richerson. “National’s increased partnership underscores their commitment to driving growth in golf, and, more specifically, their advocacy of the fun and exciting team format that PGA Jr. League provides.

“National recognizes the engaging and inclusive opportunities PGA Jr. League brings to the next generation of leaders,” said Kyle Sanborn, Vice President, Brand Strategy for National Car Rental. “Through our ongoing and expanded partnership with PGA Jr. League, we are continuing to invest in the future of the game while creating memorable experiences for young golfers and their families.”

Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of All-Star teams are formed from a combination of players in each league, who move through the Section and Regional competitions during the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season in late July through September. National’s all-in support of the program’s aspirational competitive pathway will include new opportunities for more kids to play more golf in 2021: previously only designated for boys and girls ages 13-and-under (13u program division), the Championship Season will now include those ages 14-17 (17u program division) at the Section and Regional levels.

The Championship Season culminates in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship, featuring 96 boys and girls ages 10-13 vying over three fun and exciting days of competition at picturesque Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Oct. 7-10. National has been the Championship’s presenting partner since 2016, aiding in the creation of unforgettable experiences for parents, families, Captains and Coaches throughout Championship week. Their dedication to enhance and elevate the Championship continues in 2021, including by title sponsoring the Championship’s inaugural multiple day live broadcast on select ESPN networks.

“We are delighted how National Car Rental has embraced PGA Jr. League and PGA Professionals, and everything they represent for the growth of the game,” said PGA of America Chief Revenue Officer Kevin Ring. “Their support of junior golf at the grassroots level is so inspiring, and we’re delighted they have furthered their dedication by becoming the inaugural sponsor of the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.”

In 2020, PGA Jr. League led the development of responsible back-to-golf guidelines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing nearly 1,700 PGA Professional Captains to coach nearly 37,000 kids through healthy team golf experiences. Additionally, PGA REACH helped award nearly 2,500 scholarships last year to players from active military families or with extenuating financial circumstances, with the goal of making the program accessible to all youth regardless of background, circumstance or ability.