History of GAJUGA

Randy and Sue Thomas started GAJUGA in the summer of 1995. Randy thought that since he was the Gaylord High School golf team coach, it would be a perfect fit to begin the junior golf program. The first year, the program started with 35 - 40 kids. One of the goals was to organize a girl's high school golf team through the efforts of junior golf.

A few years later, Pat Duffy took over the GAJUGA program from Randy and Sue. Then after a couple of years of inactivity, Mark Hogan, Golf Professional at Otsego Club, organized a committee of golf professionals and interested community members in 2005 to re-energize the program. In 2007, over 170 kids from the age of 7 to 17 were involved in the growing program. In 2008, GAJUGA launched a new website (gaylordjuniorgolf.com) and new mini-camps for more specialized lessons for area junior golfers.

In an effort to keep the program fresh, 2010 brought some changes to the schedule of events.  In lieu of mini-camps, free lessons for GAJUGA participants were offered before the season began.  The addition of two tournaments to enhance competition also changed the format of weekly play.