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The
Pioneer
Tour
is
a
junior
golf
program
that
brings
instruction
and
competition
to
young
golfers
ages
8
to
18.
This
award-winning
program
combines
the
efforts
of
the
Parks
Department
staff,
area
golf
professionals,
local
high
school
golf
coaches
and
volunteer
amateur
golfers.
It
introduces
the
youth
of
Bergen
County
to
the
enjoyment
and
challenge
of
the
sport
of
golf
emphasizing
the
honor,
etiquette
and
traditions
of
the
game. |
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| In
the
summer
of
2000
the
editors
of
Golf
Digest
recognized
The
Pioneer
Junior
Tour
as
the
best
junior
golf
program
across
the
United
States
in
the
municipal
category. |
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| It
began
in
1993
when
Bergen
Community
College
Golf
Coach
Doug
Yennie
and
his
wife
Linda
approached
the
Department
of
Parks
with
an
idea
to
invigorate
junior
golf
in
Bergen
County.
When
former
Director
of
Parks,
Wolfgang
Albrecht,
Jr.
heard
the
plan
he
whole
heartedly
supported
it
and
offered
the
county
golf
courses
for
the
tournaments
and
the
county
golf
staff
as
program
administrators.
Over
100
young
participants
played
in
those
first
two
golf
events.
The
enthusiasm
was
overwhelming
and
each
successive
year
more
tournaments
were
added
to
the
schedule.
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The
Pioneer
Clinic
began
in
1995.
It
was
developed
to
provide
beginners
with
a
sound
foundation
in
both
golf
mechanics
and
golf
etiquette.
The
program
consists
of
two-hour
sessions,
once
a
week
for
six
weeks.
Local
PGA
professionals
teach
the
finer
points
of
the
grip,
stance
and
swing.
The
Q-Tour
was
added
in
1998
for
the
intermediate
golfer
who
understands
the
basics
of
the
game.
It
provides
access
to
a
golf
course
for
those
not
yet
ready
to
play
on
their
own.
Groups
of
four
play
as
many
holes
as
they
can
in
the
two-hour
session,
held
once
a
week
for
five
weeks.
An
adult
walks
with
each
group
to
help
the
players
get
around
the
course.
Participants
13
and
under
must
first
play
this
qualifying
tour
before
joining
The
Pioneer
Tour.
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| The
Pioneer
Tour
brings
the
challenge
of
competitive
golf
to
the
juniors
of
Bergen
County.
Young
golfers
gain
tournament
experience
from
a
variety
of
golf
formats.
Competitors
are
separated
into
four
divisions
according
to
age
and
play
in
professionally
organized
events.
Each
year
eight
tournaments
are
played
on
the
Bergen
County
public
courses
and
local
private
facilities.
The
season
culminates
with
the
Pioneer
Awards
banquet
where
the
kids
receive
prizes
and
gifts
donated
by
local
PGA
Professionals.
Junior
golfers
under
the
age
of
12
receive
a
Pioneer
Tour
Card
granting
them
access
to
Bergen
County
golf
courses
after
4
P.M.
weekdays
and
Sundays
when
accompanied
by
a
parent.
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Over
eight hundred young golfers participate in The Pioneer
Tour every year. The Executive, the Board of Chosen
Freeholders and the Parks Department continue to
commit the necessary resources for this extraordinary
program. Their unwavering support and the dedication
of the countless volunteers guarantee the success
of the program and the growth of junior golf in
Bergen County.
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