PGA of America Golf Associate Matt Moretti’s efforts to grow the game at the junior level have made an impact at Corning Country Club and have earned him national recognition.
Moretti received the #GameChanger Award which celebrates the work of PGA Jr. League Coaches who create more opportunities for more kids to learn and play the game. Moretti was honored Jan. 24 during a ceremony at the 2024 PGA Show in Florida.
“Sometimes you don’t realize the impact you’re having on player development,” Moretti said. “I put a lot of time planning the program and activities. The number of kids returning each year and the positive comments I receive from players, parents and members of the club, who have nothing to do with the program, have always been enough recognition. I am extremely proud to have earned this national recognition for Corning Country Club.”
Moretti’s approach to youth player development is giving junior golfers an opportunity to learn and grow at their own pace.
“I believe in starting kids early and letting them decide if they want to continue,” Moretti said. “I make sure every practice session is fun and active for them.”
Congratulations, Matt!
Here’s what Moretti has to say about working with junior golfers and enhancing their experience.
What are you doing to help grow the game?
If I had to pick out something specific that I do that has helped grow this program, it’s my consistency in the expectations I have for the players, my positive demeanor with each group and my enthusiasm for golf.
Overview of his programs
My own children are in their late 20’s and 30’s. When they were young, we exposed them to golf but never pushed golf on them. We laugh and share memories of clinics and tournaments they participated in. They continue to golf and so do their friends who were involved in the program. My program welcomes 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds. They arrive excited and leave happy. The intermediate age group, 8- to 11-year-olds, is largely made up of kids who have been with the program since they were 5 or 6. They continue to improve and have invited friends to participate. My advanced group is mostly made up of 12- and 13-year-olds with a few more advanced younger kids. This group again has stayed with the program for several years. In 2023, eight players from their group competed in and won the CNY PGA Jr. League sectional championship!
Why is working with junior golfers is important
I recognize that it’s good for the long-term health of the industry to grow the game through junior golf. But that’s not why it’s important to me. Through golf, my kids learn communication skills, honesty, empathy, patience and respect for the game and others. Communication skills are learned and honed by greeting each other with handshakes and good eye contact. Honesty by counting every stroke. Empathy but picking up a teammate after a bad shot or round. Patience through practice, trial and error and respect through the etiquette of the game by repairing ball marks, replacing divots and thanking the workers they see on the course from time to time who provide them with a great facility. Kids carry these interpersonal and intrapersonal skills with them well beyond their time in junior golf and this is what’s important to me.
How golf can create positive memories
I’ve been actively involved with junior golfers since the late 90s. I have seen the kids I worked with develop a love for the game that has led them to become lifelong golfers. I’ve driven van loads of my own kids and their friends to juniors golf events and clinics and they still talk about those van rides and days on the course whenever they’re together. A group of eight of those guys have been coming to Corning each of the past eight years for a golf weekend.
Most rewarding part of being a PGA Jr. League coach
My reward comes from watching the development of the individuals who I have coached. Often, when I’m first introduced to a junior golfer, they are shy and self-conscious. It has been my experience that by the time they have spent a few weeks with me and their group they start to become more confident and outgoing. Soon they are initiating conversations with me, the other kids and other adults. Golf presents many challenges and I’ve seen juniors who struggle with self-control develop composure and problem-solving skills they can take off the course. The camaraderie players develop lasts across seasons of play and helps in the development of each individual. I encourage my juniors to play every sport they can. Use the skills they learn in junior golf the build good practice and study habits. Golf will always be there for them but there’s a small window to pursue some other sports. I find great satisfaction reading about one of my juniors excelling on the baseball court, football field or softball diamond. My reward comes from the relationships I build with my junior golfers.
New program for the 2024 season
This year I have added a 17U program to the mix. A number of my 13-year-olds last summer have “aged out” of the 13U division but they want to continue to participate. The group aspect of practice sessions and playing with their friends is a strong attraction. I’ve never managed a 17U group so this will be a new experience for all of us.
On creating fun opportunities
Last year, I added a PGA Family golf event to the program. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and siblings were all invited to form teams. The date was October 22 and the weather was cold and windy. Even with less than good weather, all 12 groups that had signed up participated. We gathered after golf for pizza and ice cream sundae party and shared stories from the day. I have already added the date to this year’s program but it will be held in August!