| Junior golf is being stepped up a gear by the United | | | | have been recognised for their outstanding contribution |
| States golf association and the PGA by partnering to | | | | to youth sports. |
| create a new after school junior program. This gives | | | | The 69-year-old Nicklaus and his wife will receive |
| young people access to equipment and coaching. | | | | prestigious Pathfinder awards for their work heading |
| The program is being launched this year in seven PGA | | | | up the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, |
| sections across the country that has well established | | | | which has raised more than US $10 million since it |
| junior golf infrastructure: Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, | | | | began in 2004. |
| Northern Texas, South Florida, Southern California and | | | | They also have supported junior golf sets |
| Wisconsin. | | | | programmes across the United States for many |
| The program will have three elements: an after school | | | | years. |
| program, a mentoring component and a course | | | | The Pathfinder is presented each year in conjunction |
| access program. | | | | with the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament |
| "Our partnership with the USGA in this program | | | | sponsored by Indiana Sports and Indiana Black Expo. |
| represents the next step to extending those building | | | | Last year's winner was Basketball Hall of Famer |
| blocks for our country's future golfers," said Jim Remy, | | | | Oscar Robertson. |
| PGA of America president. | | | | The Nicklauses will receive the award June 28 at the |
| The program will prove to be extremely popular for | | | | annual Pathfinder banquet at Conseco Fieldhouse. |
| young golfers. The after school curriculum will be a | | | | Nicklaus, known as the ‘Golden Bear', holds the |
| four to six week activity and has 75 sites for one hour | | | | record for the most victories in major championships |
| straight after school. All of the sessions will be held | | | | since he turned professional in 1961 after a successful |
| outdoors and use traditional golf equipment. There will | | | | career as an amateur. |
| be plenty of teachers covering as there will be a ratio | | | | His triumphs include winning the Masters six times in |
| of 10 to 1. | | | | 1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975 and 1986 and the Open |
| The program will be held over the summer. It will be | | | | Championship on three occasions. |
| promoted in schools as an elective. The USPGA and | | | | Nicklaus, who retired from competitive golf four years |
| PGA of America will co-brand the program. | | | | ago, now devotes much of his time to golf course |
| Nicklaus Recgonised for Youth Sport | | | | design and he also has his own golf equipment range |
| Golfing legend Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara | | | | including a 747 LD driver and ML3 driver. |