Clayton Pendergraft

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
GRAA Top 100 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional, Golf Digest Best in State, Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
U.S. Kids Top 50 Coach, Golf Digest Best Young Teachers

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 75
Female: 25
Junior: 750

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
75

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Over the past year, our facility and academy have continued to focus on growing the game by making golf more accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for juniors and families of all backgrounds and skill levels.

One of our primary initiatives has been expanding our Youngstas Play Golf programming, which uses a non-traditional, game-based approach to introduce children to golf. Rather than focusing solely on technical instruction, the program creates an environment where juniors can explore, play, problem-solve, and develop a genuine love for the game. We intentionally welcome juniors with different abilities, personalities, and motivations, with the goal of creating lifelong golfers—not simply competitive players.

We have also continued to grow our PGA Jr. League programming, providing opportunities for juniors to experience golf in a team-based, social environment. This format has helped introduce new families to golf while giving young players an opportunity to build friendships, learn sportsmanship, and experience competition in a positive setting.

Another area of growth has been our focus on increasing participation among girls. Through girls-only programming and targeted outreach, we have created an environment where young female golfers can learn and compete alongside other girls while building confidence and a sense of belonging within the sport.

Additionally, we have expanded opportunities for juniors through community-based programming and partnerships, including our work with the Lemont Park District and local junior golf initiatives. These programs help remove some of the traditional barriers to entering golf by bringing instruction and playing opportunities directly into the community.

Our overall goal is simple: make golf feel like a sport that every child can participate in and belong to. By creating fun, inclusive, and community-driven entry points into the game, we hope to introduce more juniors to golf and keep them engaged as they grow.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
We have created a variety of programming designed to keep our customers and students engaged with golf throughout the year, both on and off the course.

A major part of this has been providing year-round junior programming, including Youngstas Play Golf, PGA Jr. League, junior camps, girls-only golf opportunities, and community-based programming. Each program provides a different pathway for juniors to stay involved based on their age, interests, and skill level.

We also use a game-based approach to instruction to keep students excited and motivated to return. Rather than making every session feel like a traditional lesson, we incorporate games, challenges, team activities, competitions, and problem-solving opportunities. This allows students to continue developing their skills while maintaining the fun and social aspects that initially brought them to golf.

During the winter months, we have continued engagement through indoor programming, including PGA Jr. League sessions, lessons, and practice opportunities. This allows our students to maintain relationships with their coaches and teammates and continue developing their skills instead of taking several months away from the game.

We have also expanded girls-only programming to create a consistent community for young female golfers. These sessions give girls an opportunity to learn, play, compete, and build friendships in an environment designed specifically around their experience.

Our goal is to create a clear pathway for students to continue participating as they grow—from introductory programs and camps, into PGA Jr. League, competitive opportunities, private instruction, and eventually becoming mentors and leaders within the junior golf community. By offering multiple opportunities throughout the year, we are able to keep students connected to the game while allowing their involvement to evolve with their interests and development.