Lanier Islands Tees Up New PGA Jr League at Legacy Golf Course

BUFORD, Ga. - March 30, 2018 - PRLog -- Boasting 12 of 18 holes on or within view of the pristine waters of Georgia's Lake Lanier, Lanier Islands' Legacy Golf Course serves as an ideal introduction to the time-honored game of golf to players of all ages. With a lakeside breeze at their back and sun on their shoulders, players run the risk of developing a lifelong love of the game. That was certainly the case for PGA professionals, Brian Conley – PGA Director of Golf and Mike Miller, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at the popular Georgia resort. The two are proud to introduce the PGA Jr. League to boy and girls of all skill levels aged 13 or younger at Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course.

PGA Jr. League began in 2011, with teams competing in Atlanta, Tampa, Dallas, and San Diego. The inaugural PGA Jr. League "World Series" was held in September of the same year at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., which was captured by the Atlanta team. Serving as the flagship youth pillar program for the 102-year-old Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA), PGA Jr. League has witnessed explosive growth since its inception. 170 members in 2011 skyrocketed to more than 42,000 youth participants in 2017 – and those numbers are expected to continue to climb. 139 PGA Jr. teams call Georgia home, representing more than 1600 players – an increase of 400 players from the previous year. Lanier Islands' Legacy Golf Course currently has 10 available slots in its inaugural program, and shares a league with other local golf courses, including Reunion Golf Course and Royal Lakes Golf Course in Flowery Branch, as well as Traditions of Braselton Golf Course in Braselton. The upcoming season will consist of at least eight matches. Matches are 9-hole games featuring two-person scrambles.

"This is a Georgia-born program that PGA took to the national level, so we feel compelled to be part of a program that's intended to spread the love of the game," explained Conley. "It's designed for the recreational golfer, not necessarily the ones who are eyeing a college scholarship – although that's not outside the realm of possibility. There is a lot of pressure and competition on most junior golfers in accelerated programs. PGA Jr. is designed to be low stress, fun and team-oriented, where everyone can contribute to the team. Seasoned players can mentor newer, less experienced players. 80% of participants in the PGA Jr. League have been identified as beginners or new to golf. Regardless of experience and skill, everyone will come out of the PGA Jr. League a better golfer."

Miller, who brought the idea of introducing the PGA Jr. League to Lanier Islands after witnessing its success at the last course he served, considers the program his "baby" and looks forward to the upcoming season. "I not only started a PGA Jr. team at my former course last year for the first time, our team won the league. Out of 13 players, five had never even touched a club prior to their involvement in the program."

Registration for PGA Jr. League at Lanier Islands is open now through April 15, 2018. The season will launch in April and run through July. The cost of participation in the program is $325 per player, but includes instruction from PGA professionals, practice and match fees, bag tag, two jerseys and a hat. For an added perk, Lanier Islands is extending two waterpark passes to each player. To register for PGA Jr. League at Lanier Islands, interested players are encouraged to visit www.pgajrleague.com. On the registration page, search for "Legacy on Lanier Golf Club." To learn more about the Legacy Golf Course and Lanier Islands, please visit www.lanierislands.com.

About Lanier Islands: Nestled on the southern-most shoreline of Lake Sidney Lanier at the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains lies the truly distinctive Lanier Islands. Situated less than 45 miles from downtown Atlanta on 1,500 pristine acres of forests, meadows, and beaches, this luxury resort is quickly growing in size, scope, and reputation as one of the Southeast's leading lakeside retreats. As the resort's crown jewel, Lake Lanier is one of the United States' most popular man-made lakes, encompassing 38,000 surface acres and 690 miles of shoreline in Northeast Georgia. Legacy Lodge, Villas, and LakeHouses enhance the park's broad assortment of accommodation choices and meeting sites – making it the ideal choice for corporate meetings and company retreats. Popular excursions like fun in the sun at the boardwalk-themed Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, zip lining through the trees with Lake Lanier Canopy Tours, horseback riding on a lakeside trail from the Equestrian Center and renting a boat and ski equipment from Harbor Landing make the islands a terrific choice for families vacationing or "staycationing" in the South. Tranquility – the Spa and the picturesque 18-hole Lanier Islands Legacy Golf Course are major draws for visitors looking to relax or play.

Lanier Islands is steadily securing a solid standing for its unique vision of the future of this luxury retreat, its unswerving dedication to the comfort and enjoyment of its guests, and its signature brand of Southern Hospitality. In 2014, the Resort became a member of the highly esteemed Southern Living Hotel Collection. The Islands has also been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for four consecutive years, was named "Best Place for Family Fun" by Best Self Atlanta Magazine in 2015, listed among TripstoDiscover.com's 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotels & Resorts in Georgia in 2017, and honored among The Knot's Best of Weddings in 2018. For more information, visit www.lanierislands.com.