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This Fellowship project is focused on operating a Web site that provides information regarding golf access and opportunities for people with disabilities. Currently, the main goal of the Resource Center is to promote the Web site and get the word out to as many people as possible. The aim to create a comprehensive database of instructors, golf courses, programs, therapists, manufacturers, and other affiliates involved with golf for individuals with disabilities. Along with overseeing the Web site, Fellows act as the USGA resource for information on golf for people with disabilities.
 JuniorLinks.com provides a database of more than 2,000
junior golf programs throughout
the nation and is a complete junior golf resource. Fellows
are responsible for web content and corresponding with the
general public. Additionally, Fellows write stories such
as junior golfer and program spotlights. The site features many interactive
sections as well, including a trivia game and electronic greeting cards.
Junior Golf Summits are a unique opportunity for junior golf program directors, teaching professionals, golf courses, and area golf associations to come together to discuss their vision for junior golf in a local community. These conferences provide a forum to share best practices, explore new trends in junior golf, and plan for the future growth of the game, as well as build cooperative partnerships and bring forth new initiatives. Fellows assist host organizations during planning by providing topic ideas, schedule examples, and contact information for USGA Directors and Committee members, state and regional golf associations, and other local junior golf programs. Fellows are also often sent to summits around the country to present on topics ranging from the USGA Grants and Fellowship program to fundraising and development.
Fellows work with the USGA's Director of Construction Education, Jim Moore, to evaluate construction grant applications, who brings a wealth of knowledge about the subject. Fellows and the Grants Committee are informed about the quality of golf course construction projects and the bids in each application. Fellow responsibilities include tracking construction applications and making sure that Jim has all of the information he needs to evaluate them.
Fellows have also written short course profiles and have created a publication documenting the process of building an alternative facility which can be found in the Informational Resources section of the USGA Grants Web site.
The USGA distributes leftover Members Program and
Championship merchandise to USGA-supported programs throughout the country.
USGA Fellows facilitate sending merchandise within the six regions to programs
who use the merchandise for a variety of purposes, including program participant
prizes, tournament awards, and fundraising events. Since 2001, the USGA
has donated more than $1 million worth of merchandise to USGA-supported
programs throughout the country.
The Recruitment and Selection Committee is responsible for coordinating all phases of the recruiting and selecting new Fellows. Fellows' responsibilities include publicizing the Fellowship, facilitating the office-wide application review process, and leading phone and in-person interviews. Additionally, the Recruiting and Selection Committee plans the logistics for a selection weekend held in Colorado Springs.
New Fellow orientation is an intensive two-week process
designed to introduce the six new Fellows to all aspects of the USGA and
the USGA Grants Initiative and Fellowship Program. Planning is typically
assigned to two Second Year Fellows, who are responsible for creating a
complete schedule for two weeks, securing outside speakers, coordinating
staff schedules for presentations on various projects, and assembling electronic
orientation binders, which are useful guides for all aspects of the job.
Following the two-week orientation, new Fellows are prepared to begin working
on grants and Fellowship projects.
Kids on Course is a partnership between the USGA and
the National Golf Course Owner's Association (NGCOA) with
the goal of securing affordable golf course  access for participants
of USGA-supported junior golf programs. The USGA and NGCOA
have teamed up to handle the overall administration and planning
of this project. A team of Fellows are assigned each year
to work with USGA-supported program directors to secure matches and ensure
that programs are accurately tracking the number of rounds their participants
are playing. Additionally, these Fellows are responsible for consistently
communicating with the NGCOA and USGA staff as to the status of individual
matches. In 2004 the team also secured the assistance of an intern who focuses
his attention on making and monitoring matches.
The USGA has forged relationships with several golf equipment companies through which USGA-supported programs are given discounted rates on equipment. These relationships allow USGA grant funds to have greater impact by decreasing the amount of funding required for programs' equipment needs. Two Fellows maintain contact with the equipment companies in order to keep the office abreast of product and price changes. Providing accurate product descriptions and prices allow Fellows to more effectively assess programs' equipment needs which results in the Grants Committee making more informed grant-award decisions.
 Operated by the National Alliance For Youth Sports (NAYS), Hook A Kid On Golf (HAKOG) is a multi-level program that provides the necessary tools for introducing the game of golf to youth. HAKOG has partnered with the USGA to provide matching grants for programs operating the introductory Tee Level Clinics for up to $1,000 per clinic. Fellows work closely with NAYS staff members during their annual proposal for USGA funding and throughout their grant period. Fellows oversee compliance which includes reviewing monthly updates of programs who have received a matching grant and the final reports submitted by each individual site.
"Catch the Spirit" began in 1991 in an effort to attract
more youth and families to the game of golf and to USGA championships.
The goal of the program is to provide exposure to the game's rich history,
heroes, and lessons to a new generation of golfers.  The main event is a
week-long educational program at the U.S. Women's Open. As part of the program,
juniors receive: complimentary admission to the Championship, front-row
seating in all on-course grandstands, instructional and entertaining clinics,
a juniors-only putting green, an "Inside the Ropes" tour of the golf course, and a USGA goodie bag. USGA Fellows are responsible for the marketing and operational plans during the week, which involves year-round planning and execution during the week of the Women's Open.
The U.S. Open Junior Day is a one-day event held every
year during a U.S. Open Championship's practice round. Participants from
USGA-supported programs in the area are invited to attend the event, which
includes an exhibition show by trick-shot artist Dennis Walters, The Golf
Channel's Drive, Chip and Putt Junior Golf Skills Competition, and a free
lunch. In the afternoon, all participants and chaperones receive free tickets
to watch the practice rounds. Fellows' responsibilities include securing
a site for the day, creating the days' schedule, contacting programs, coordinating
transportation, securing speakers and food vendors, and working with the
USGA's public relations firm to create and implement a publicity plan to
generate awareness for the event.
 LPGA-USGA
Girls Golf (GG) is a national junior golf development program just for girls
operated by the USGA and the LPGA Foundation. The program provides the opportunity
for girls to progress in golf, learn life skills inherent in the game of
golf, and build lasting friendships. Currently, GG has 161 sites and more
than 3,800 girls participating in 2004. Two USGA Fellows are assigned as
programs managers and assist with marketing, fundraising, program growth,
and its newly developed matching grants program.
The USGA operates a junior golf program with the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, located in Colorado Springs. This is an eight-week program that takes approximately 20 youths on a local golf course to learn swing fundamentals and course etiquette. Each year, two Fellows plan and oversee the program, including the program's budget, volunteer participation, and program curriculum.
 Pikes Peak Linkers (PPL) is a junior golf program run by a team of Fellows. PPL
provides instruction, on-course play, and life skills lessons to 100 youths during
the spring and summer seasons. Fellows are responsible for fiscal planning, fundraising,
programming, impact analysis, securing volunteer support, and working with local
social service organizations and area families to recruit youth.
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