Who We Are

The Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association Board

Marc Skillrud

President

Paul Fitzpatrick

Vice-President/Executive Tournament Director

Jon Pazdera

Treasurer

Aaron Pruss

Scholarship Director

Caroline Lennox

Secretary/ 18 Hole Tournament Director/ Social Media Manager

Justin Glover

9 Hole Tournament Director

Barb Kursh

Fundraising Chair

Tony Franklin

Director

SWFJGA at a Glance

Each year, the SWFJGA grants college scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have participated in SWFJGA. The Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association awards two very prestigious namesake scholarships in honor of Patty Berg and Nolan Henke; the Patty Berg – most all rounded female and the Nolan Henke – most all rounded male participant in SWFJGA.

Since 1974, Southwest Florida Junior Golf Association has awarded $482,000 in scholarships to help junior golfers reach their educational goals.

Our scholarship program funds are received through various avenues. Funds are raised through Tournaments like the Adult/Juniors and Nolen Henke/ Patty Berg Junior Master and Pro-Am and from generous donations from individuals and organizations like the South Florida PGA Foundation. Without the continued support of Cypress Lake Golf Club and so many other local golf courses we could not be able to award these scholarships on an annual basis and provide a great environment for our area junior golfers. If you or your business would like to make a donation to SWFJGA, please contact Barb Kursh at bbrownkursh@gmail.com.

SWFJGA is an organization run by a volunteer board of directors with the help and assistance of volunteer parents at the events. With the help of these dedicated volunteers, this organization has touched thousands of kids in our community and continues to provide a venue to support the wonderful lessons achieved through the game of golf.

Become a SWFJGA Volunteer

SWFJGA Child Sexual Abuse Policy

No form of child endangerment or child abuse be it verbal or physical will be tolerated. Any such action will be immediately reported to the proper authorities following Florida Statues 39.201. All Volunteers and Staff of SWFJGA have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; have immunity from liability if they report such cases in good faith; and have a duty to comply with child protective investigations and all other provisions of law relating to child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

For the safety of every child: No volunteer or staff member should ever be alone with a participant. If necessary to be away from the group activity, volunteers/staff are to make sure that there is another volunteer or staff member present at all times when being around a single junior. Volunteers cannot accompany a child to the bathroom or secluded areas alone under any circumstances. Out of program contact between participants and staff or volunteers is discouraged.

“SWFJGA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to providing tournament golf venues for developing players. We have serviced Southwest Florida for over 50 years.”

FOR FIVE DECADES

OVER 3,000 JUNIORS HAVE PLAYED IN THE SWFJGA

Over our 50 years of existence, our junior golf program has produced multiple PGA and LPGA touring professionals, local PGA and LPGA club professionals, as well as many local business leaders. Our game of golf and SWFJGA promotes personal character growth, responsibility, and social skills that create lifelong friendships and achievement.

The continued growth of golf is essential through today’s junior golfers in order to develop our next generation of players in the next 10 to 20 years. These kids will be your next club members, business owners, teachers, and neighbors. Therefore, our commitment as a junior golf program is to continue making this game fun, affordable, and available to all kids.