Long Run Leads the Way in Youth on Course Impact in 2025

At Long Run Golf Course, junior golf isn’t just a program, it’s a core part of their mission. As one of the most active Youth on Course facilities in Kentucky, Long Run continues to set the standard for creating meaningful, affordable access to the game for young players. Under the leadership of Head Golf Professional Tommy Betz, the facility has built a thriving junior golf environment centered around opportunity, education, and community.

“Youth access is a backbone to our mission statement at Long Run,” Betz shared. “Our goal is to educate every young golfer and their parents that we want to maximize their opportunities to play while minimizing the cost. Programs like Youth on Course allow us to do exactly that. Our passion for growing the game and making it accessible to young players has helped Long Run become one of the most active Youth on Course facilities in Kentucky.”

For Betz, supporting junior golfers goes far beyond instruction, it’s about giving back to a community that supported him as a child. “Youth development is the most important role I have as a mentor and golf professional,” he said. “I credit much of my career success through the game of golf to the awesome access I was given at Parks golf courses as a teenager. Because of that, I go to work every day feeling like I owe something back to the game by helping every child who walks through the doors at Long Run discover what golf can offer them.”

That mindset is evident in everything happening at Long Run. With youth programming offered multiple days a week, seven-day access for juniors, and a full calendar of events and tournaments, the course has become a hub for junior golf in the region.

The result? The highest Youth on Course round totals in the state with 2,762 rounds and more importantly, a true sense of community. “We’ve created a family environment here at Long Run,” Betz said. “Youth on Course has helped strengthen our junior golf community and has been a big reason why so many families choose Long Run as a place their kids can learn, play, and grow in the game.”

When asked what advice he would give to young golfers just getting started, Betz kept it simple and meaningful stating, “Never turn down a round with someone you love. Those are the rounds you'll remember the most later in life, and one day you may wish you could play just one more.”

It’s a reminder that the impact of programs like Youth on Course goes far beyond the golf course. It’s about access, relationships, and creating lifelong memories through the game.

Help Us Share Your Story

Long Run’s success is a powerful example of what’s possible when facilities fully embrace Youth on Course. We know that there are many more stories like this across Kentucky.

We encourage all course partners to continue posting rounds throughout the season and to share your experiences with us. Whether it’s a memorable moment, a junior success story, or the impact you’re seeing at your facility, we want to help tell those stories and highlight the incredible work being done across the state.

Together, we can continue to grow the game and expand opportunities for the next generation.