The Scratch Golf Association

Can you Imagine? 

Of all the traditional sports classes we were exposed to while growing up in school, consider that once the same students are adults less than 1% of all college graduates continue to participate in any of those sports.

Now just imagine….

Since 20% of all college graduates participate in GOLF, but were never exposed to it in school…… 

What if every middle school and/or high school student could be introduced to golf in school as well as introduced to Jesus on the driving range and golf course?

The Scratch Golf Association's vision above is becoming a reality!

We strive to put a golf club in the hands of nearly every student in America within the next 10 years as well as introduce them to instructors who have been discipled in Jesus Christ.

The Scratch Golf Association (SGA) is a not-for-profit organization founded by Rob Brown owner of Scratch Golf Events LLC. His vision is to provide low-cost, golf instruction and age-appropriate competition all while influencing the lives of the young golfers & their families through mature Christ-centered instructors & administrators.

He has formed this organization to grow the game of golf and impact the LIVES of young golfers.

Rob found a man with a mutual passion for Christ and golf, Bill Poirier, President of Golf From the Heart, (GFtH), L3C www.golffromtheheart.golf. They have joined together and, thankfully, have partnered with others with similar passions within the Phoenix area to fulfill the vision.

John Leggat met Bill during the 2019 Waste Management Open and the Gameday conducted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf program. They shared a similar passion. John introduced Bill to Orbi Gonzalez, the Director of Phoenix Urban Youth - Excel, and plans beganl to include the game of golf into the Phoenix Urban Youth - Excel (PUY-E).

The Scratch Golf Association needed a solid Christ-Follower who had the experience and renown as a junior golf instructor. We were introduced to Kent Chase, the first, “Master Golf Teacher of Junior Golf”, with a history of developing junior champions and a lifetime member of the PGA of America. Kent was just the Christ-follower needed for this inspirational effort; growing champion golfers and introducing students to the Lord. Kent has a history of accomplishments and awards for his teaching skills as well as his dedication to helping juniors avert the pitfalls of LIFE by engaging in discipleship relationships with his apprentices & students. 
Kent has developed his proprietary golf instructional program that instills proven golf instruction for juniors while introducing and training the students in a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ..

The final piece of this inspirational effort was a mentorship program to ensure the leaders and golf instructors are “trained up” in the knowledge of God. The Golfing to Greatness discipleship program founded by Bill Poirier is the answer. Bill established an online discipleship program targeted to those who have a passion for golf and a love for Jesus Christ. The program was developed online to allow deep study and fellowship for busy golf professionals. Golfing to Greatness was perfect for the program.

Incorporating golf and faith into the public schools is an extremely sensitive subject. We all know what happens when we mention the name of Christ in public places, especially those of the government, and so this sensitivity will be considered as we look forward to implementing this “growing the game of golf” initiative.

So how do we do it?  

The Phoenix Urban Youth - Excel has made significant inroads into the public schools and is mentoring young urban youth with incredible results. Many of the public schools have been happily embracing the program. 

Rob Brown has established relationships with many of the area golf courses as well as the three Top Golf locations in Phoenix. Top Golf has offered their facilities and food for half-off and will provide their golf instructors to the Scratch Golf program.

When the students come to these facilities for a field trip, they are engaging with Kent Chase Certified - PGA Apprentices and mature Christian Believers. The Academy will assist them with their golf game as well as their game of LIFE. This is a GODSEND partnership with the leader in junior golf which allows and offers the ultimate junior golf training system in the world through the Kent Chase Golf Academy.

The Academy’s amazing parallels between golf and LIFE are similar and are why Kent is a sought after motivational guest speaker. He presents; “The Way, The Truth and The Life” as well as; the laws, principles and preferences; fundamentally sound truths in golf and the parallels of a sound Biblically-based walk.

How will The Kent Chase Golf Academy ensure that the professionals and apprentices are mature Believers? The certification process includes a deep engagement with a proven discipleship producing program offered to golfers through Golfing to Greatness (www.golfingtogreatness.com). 

Elevate Phoenix and Phoenix Urban Youth - Excel have accomplished much having mentoring thousands of  students.The partnership with Scratch Golf instruction and tournament program, the Kent Chase Golf Academy and Golfing to Greatness will enhance each program and further expand golf instruction while introducing the faith into the curriculum with all materials, brochures, training manuals and training aides all representing God's plan.

Scratch Golf has a firm foundation for support through it’s golf fundraising events, yet is seeking financial support to further implement our plan and impact the lives of young men & women for good in this treacherous world. 

Please consider investing in their lives through golf and discipleship as a Founding Partner; a major part of the vision. You are recognized as a part of this Legacy. You will forever be remembered for putting God and golf in public schools.

Proverbs 22:6 -  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it!”