North Carolina PGA Pros Bring Families Into the Game

Cary and Wilmington, NC – Golf has long been a sport that spans generations, but too often parents find themselves watching from the sidelines while their kids play. PGA Family Golf aims to change that by encouraging families to get on the course together. Through relaxed, team-based formats designed for all ages and skill levels, the program helps families share meaningful time on the course while having fun.

This spirit of inclusivity and connection inspired two North Carolina PGA Professionals, Brian Burgwyn of Prestonwood Country Club in Cary and Grant Powell of the Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, to collaborate on a creative “home-and-home” series. The goal wasn’t just to schedule matches between their junior players but to make sure entire families could take part.

The idea came about after PGA of America Player Engagement Consultant, Frank Maynard III, PGA, connected Brian and Grant. Both were running large PGA Jr. League programs and looking for new ways to expand opportunities for their juniors. Instead of a standard match, they planned events where parents and kids would team up in a scramble format.

“As much as possible, I try to get people off the sidelines and into the game,” Brian said. “With the drive being about two hours, I didn’t want parents to come all that way just to watch.”

Grant shared a similar goal. “Our mission this year was to give our kids the chance to play courses they might not normally see,” he said. “Parents are usually spectators, but playing alongside their kids and creating new memories is something they’ll always cherish.”

At Prestonwood, families teed off in groups that mixed players from both clubs. Each team played a two-person scramble, counting 10 of 12 scores toward the overall team total. At Landfall, the format was nearly identical but featured a shotgun start and a pizza party after the round to give everyone a chance to socialize.

“We wanted kids to experience both courses and also have time to build friendships,” Grant said.

For Brian, the highlight was personal. He got to play with his 12-year-old daughter, Lilly, who’s been part of the junior league team for several seasons. “A lot of parents told me they felt the same way,” he said. “Some even said it encouraged them to practice more, take lessons, or play more often with their kids between our events.”

Grant agreed. “Seeing kids out on the course with their parents, enjoying an afternoon of golf, was really special,” he said.

Both professionals see events like these as a valuable addition to any junior program. “This is a great way to build on an established PGA Jr. League,” Brian said. “It gets parents involved and helps grow the game in a fun, welcoming environment.”

Adding to the momentum, many of the same juniors returned to the Country Club of Landfall the very next day to compete in a local Drive, Chip & Putt qualifier. For several families, it marked a full weekend of golf experiences, from playing side-by-side in a scramble to individual skills competition, reinforcing the value of programs that keep kids and parents engaged on the course.

Through this collaboration, Brian and Grant showed how PGA Family Golf can go beyond competition to strengthen bonds, grow the game, and create lasting memories for families both on and off the course.

Learn more about PGA Family Golf Here!

Interested in bringing PGA Family Golf to your facility? Contact the Carolinas Player Engagement Consultant, Frank Maynard III, PGA at (919) 593-0424 or at fmaynard@pgahq.com to learn more!