Spectacular Kids Days Added to 2017 NCAA Golf Tournament in Sugar Grove
Free goodie bags, famous trick-shot artists, hands-on golf ball-hitting stations and a scavenger hunt on one of the world’s great golf courses.
Seriously, could the the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships at Rich Harvest Farms possibly get more fun?
As if the top college golfers in the world and an international television viewing audience weren’t enough, Rich Harvest Farms is adding Kids Day entertainment for the May events at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Kids Days will be held on the weekends and will feature interactive and educational activities for youth under the age of 18 both on and off the course.
Northern Illinois University is hosting both the men’s and women’s events — college golf’s equivalent of Final Four — from May 19 to May 31. Click this link for special deals on ticket prices and packages.
The Kids Days are made possible through the Kids Golf Foundation at Rich Harvest Farms.
“The Kids Days will be a great way for the youth to see the future stars of the PGA and LPGA,” said Michala Mika, director of the Kids Golf Foundation. “Not only will the activities be a fun way for kids to learn more about the sport, but they will help reinforce our foundation’s mission of providing opportunities for the youth.”
Highlights of the Kids Days include hitting stations that use SNAG — Starting New At Golf — oversized and colorful golf equipment that is fun and easy to use. A scavenger hunt will encourage children to explore the golf course and learn the life skills of the sport, such as communication, sportsmanship and weather safety.
“Golf is such a rich sport that provides a lot of learning and growth opportunity for kids,” said Jerry Rich, owner of Rich Harvest Farms and Founder of the Kids Golf Foundation. “That’s one of the main reasons I started the foundation, and why I’m thrilled about the Kids Days. The NCAA Golf Championships are the perfect platform to show our younger spectators how fun and rewarding the game of golf can be.”
Kids Days will also feature performances by Peter Longo, a former PGA Tour player, published author and world-class trick shot artist. He will amaze and amuse golfers and non-golfers alike with his specialty shots, lacing his show with comedy and audience participation.
Host school Northern Illinois University will be on site as well with a module that will teach children the STEM of golf. The first 500 children through the gate on Kids Days will also receive a free goodie bag.
Students and children under the age of 18 are admitted to the 2017 Golf Championships for free every day of the tournaments with a paying adult. Regular grounds tickets start at $10. Please visit this website page for more information, to claim a complimentary student ticket and to purchase tickets.
About NIU Athletics
A 17-sport NCAA Division I athletics program located in DeKalb, Illinois, Northern Illinois University teams compete in the Mid-American Conference. Honored with the 2016 Award for Diversity and Inclusion by the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, NIU’s Graduation Success Rate also leads the MAC. Student- athletes completed more than 5,000 hours of community service in 2015-16. For more information, visit NIUHuskies.com and follow NIU Athletics on Twitter @NIUAthletics,
Instagram (niuhuskies) and Facebook (NIU Huskies).
About Rich Harvest Farms
Consistently ranked in Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses, Rich Harvest Farms is an ultra-private, members-only club located in Sugar Grove, IL. Owned and built by Jerry Rich, the course consists of 18 holes and is a 1,820-acre showcase of nature and agriculture. Rich Harvest Farms also hosted the prestigious 2009 LPGA Solheim Cup, 2015 Palmer Cup and the 2015 Western Amateur. For more information visit www.richharvestfarms.com and follow @RHFTournaments on Twitter.
About the Kids Golf Foundation
The Kids Golf Foundation is a statewide junior golf association that offers and supports several golf programs and events designed to introduce children between the ages of 5 and 17 to the sport of golf, its fundamentals, rules, history, etiquette, life lessons, and more. For more information visit www.kidsgolffoundation.org and follow KGF on Twitter @KidsGolfIL and Facebook (Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois).
