TGA Premier Junior Golf Launches School Based Activation and Business Model in Canada

Leading youth sports franchise company to grow the game and enrich the lives of students in Canadian schools

London, Ontario– TGA Premier Junior Golf (TGA), the largest school-based junior golf program in North America, announces it has launched its innovative youth sports business in Canada with two new franchise territories in London, and Sault Ste. Marie – Sudbury.

TGA (Teach-Grow-Achieve) has become a global leader in growing the game through its self-sustaining activation model that makes golf accessible, available and affordable for all youth. The company launched its first international franchise business in Spain in 2012, and now is bringing its successful school-based business model to schools across Canada.

Joe Barnes and Brian Miller have become the owners of TGA of London, while Darren Hore has acquired TGA of Sault Ste. Marie and Greater Sudbury. In addition, Barnes and Miller have also negotiated the TGA master-development rights to expand the TGA business model throughout Canada.

Barnes, a college finance professor who helped to build Canada’s largest Century 21 franchise operation, and Miller, an educator for over 30 years, have together owned dozens of successful businesses including several in the golf industry.

“It is our belief that TGA will deliver a significant part of the solution to many of golf’s problems by helping to grow and rejuvenate golf, by making it fun and accessible for youth,” Barnes said. “With Brian’s teaching and coaching experience in schools and my golf and business background, the opportunity to bring the TGA school-based model to Canada seemed designed for us.”

Hore also brings extensive business ownership and education experience as the owner of a Montessori school in Sault Ste. Marie. He discovered TGA while exploring alternate business opportunities that could complement his operation of the school.

"I like that the TGA program not only introduces students to the game of golf but it also introduces them to common social courtesies and practical life skills that they can use every day throughout their lifetime,” said Hore.

TGA, which was launched in 2003 at six Los Angeles area schools, was the first to incorporate junior golf into after-school enrichment programs utilizing educators along with PGA and LPGA Professionals. In 2006, TGA launched its school-based franchise model across the United States and today has franchises in more than 70 territories across the U.S., Spain, and now Canada.

TGA impacts hundreds of thousands of youth annually by activating and engaging youth (ages 3-13) in golf through a year-round, multi-level enrichment program. TGA’s programs are conducted indoors and outdoors on school campuses and at community centers where TGA provides all the golf equipment for participating students.

The curriculum is designed to enrich the lives of students through incorporating physical activity, health, nutrition and character building, as well as supplement core academic subjects like math, science, reading and social studies in each lesson.

In addition, TGA has developed a Player Pathway model, which transitions students from school-based programs to local partner golf courses through a variety of summer camps, parent-child events, and leagues. The TGA program also serves as a feeder program for golf association junior programs and tournaments.

“What excites us about our expansion into Canada is the great people we've partnered with to develop this proven business model to grow the game of golf,” said TGA chief operating officer, Steve Tanner. “We are thrilled to have people like Joe, Brian, and Darren, with their impressive credentials, joining the TGA organization and setting the bar high for the first of hopefully many Canadian franchises.”

For more information about TGA in Canada, contact Joe Barnes at jbarnes@playtga.com and Brian Miller at bmiller@playtga.com or call toll-free 1-866-394-4774.

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About TGA Premier Junior Golf
TGA Premier Junior Golf (TGA) is an innovative franchise model for self-starters who enjoy working with children in a business venture that provides a unique entry into youth sports, education and the golf industry.

Entrepreneur Magazine named TGA a “Top 10 Franchise Value” in 2010 based on total startup costs, as well as No. 295 on the Magazine’s Franchise 500 rankings in 2012. In addition, the publication has ranked TGA among the top children’s fitness, low-cost and home-based franchises.

TGA is a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance and Lights on After School, and is a corporate advocate and national partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness, Golf Coaches Association and National Council of Youth Sports. TGA’s curriculums are also approved by the United States Golf Association (USGA) under the Rules of Amateur Status.

For more information about TGA Premier Junior Golf, visit www.playtga.com or follow @TGAJuniorGolf on Twitter.