PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (April 2, 2019) – The PGA of America has acquired Nextgengolf, to enhance player development programming that is designed to grow the game across emerging generations.
Kris Hart, CEO and Co-Founder of NextGenGolf
Boston-based Nextgengolf conducts inclusive team golf tournaments and experiences for young adults, college students and high school students across the country, while delivering innovative digital content and platforms that support these efforts. To enhance golf’s long-term growth, Nextgengolf fills a critical gap—by providing opportunities for not only the elite golfer, but also the everyday golfer, while focusing on high school, college and urban markets that target both Millennials and Gen Z.
Nextgengolf has three platforms: the National High School Golf Association (NHSGA), National Collegiate Club Golf Association (NCCGA) and City Tour—and runs more than 200 team-based golf tournaments nationwide. The 2019 NHSGA High School Golf National Invitational, which will be staged at Walt Disney Resort in June, is the largest high school event in the country.
The NCCGA boasts 130 regional tournaments for students representing over 400 colleges. It also hosts two major college national championships, the largest college golf tournaments in the country, with 348 players competing in each event. Meanwhile, the City Tour featured more than 2,000 golfers at 68 events last year.
Arjun Chowdri. PGA’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer.
“Nextgengolf provides authentic experiences that speak to the next generation of golfers,” said PGA of America Chief Innovation Officer Arjun Chowdri. “Nextgengolf’s fun and creative format is a natural continuation of our roadmap for golfers that begins with PGA Jr. League. Having the PGA Professional as a critical part of that experience is the best way to encourage and support new golfers. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to further the mission of the PGA of America and help the game evolve.”
“The PGA Professional is so impactful at the local level, and our events help them connect with younger consumers,” said Kris Hart, Co-Founder and now Senior Director of Nextgengolf. “Nextgengolf gives a full spectrum to the next life cycle of golfers. It is so exciting how the PGA of America and innovation are changing, and the growth that it can generate.”
Nextgengolf was originally founded by Hart as CollegeGolfPass in 2011, to fill the void of non-varsity collegiate golf, as he decided not to play for the Bryant University golf team during his senior year, but still wanted to find an affordable way to compete in a team environment. After CollegeGolfPass and the NCCGA merged in 2012, they rebranded as Nextgengolf two years later, to fulfill a growing demand among college graduates.
In response, the Nextgengolf City Tour was created to provide team-based golfing opportunities for young adults near major cities. Nextgengolf’s Matt Weinberger built the NCCGA as a college student. Together, with Mahesh Murthy and Hart, they co-founded Nextgengolf.
The acquisition, by a subsidiary of the PGA of America, is effective immediately, with Nextgengolf employees reporting to Chief Operating Officer Darrell Crall. Nextgengolf will continue to operate out of its Boston office.
For more information on Nextgengolf, visit nextgengolf.org and highschoolgolf.org
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2019 Events Conducted by Nextgengolf:
- NCCGA College Spring Season: March-April
- NCCGA College Spring Break Open: March 9-10 and March 16-17 (Myrtle Beach, S.C.)
- Spring 2019 NCCGA Nationals: April 27-28
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.) - City Tour Season: April-October
- NHSGA National High School Invitational: June 25-29
Walt Disney World Resort and Falcon’s Fire Golf Club (Orlando, Fla.) - City Tour Championship: Aug. 30-Sept. 2 (Labor Day) – Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort
- NCCGA College Fall Season: September-November
- Fall 2019 NCCGA Nationals: Nov. 13-18 – WinStar Casino & Resort (Thackerville, Okla.)
