About
The Middle School Golf League is organized with parents registering their Middle School players through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association. Players are assigned teams generally based on middle school attendance and receive golf shirts with their middle school or feeder high school colors. If there are not enough players form a middle school to form a team, registered players are assigned as needed to round out team rosters.
After the instructional golf clinic for all players beginning golfers are encouraged to take that knowledge onto the golf course. In addition, all players and especially beginning golfers are encouraged to practice ball striking skills between team play. The format for play is team competition best ball play including during one week “High School Day” where high school team golfers are invited to play along with their cluster middle school teams, a week of individual stroke play, where the most advanced players are invited to play in an invitational individual stroke 9-hole tournament. The season culminates for everyone with a Drive, Chip and Putt competition and the MSGL Awards Presentations.
Players play from forward or junior tees based on ability. League play and/or clinics will be held mostly on Sundays, normally at 4 pm. The season officially begins with a clinic for everyone conducted by our golf course professionals, and for new golfers or players new to MSGL and orientation on team play, golf rules and golf etiquette. beginner orientation and Each team has a volunteer team “Marshall” who is responsible for team lineups and supervises the play on the course. Parents are welcome to walk or purchase carts as available. All spectators’ carts must remain on the cart paths.
Our five main host golf courses for regular play re Chimney’s Golf Club, Country Club of Gwinnett, Collins Hill Golf Course, Cedar Lake Golf Course and Bear Creek. Providence Golf Course, Trophy Club of Apalachee and Monroe Golf Courses may host us as needed. Teams rotate and play on a different course each week.
2023 Fall Season
Note: Although the Middle School Golf League has had in the past both a Spring and Fall season, beginning in the Fall of 2023, league team play will only be available in the Fall. Optional MSGL tournament play will be offered in the spring.
The Middle School Golf League (MSGL) is organized with parents registering their Middle School players through the South Gwinnett Athletic Association. Players are assigned teams generally based on middle school attendance and receive golf shirts with their middle school or feeder high school colors.
If there are not enough players from a middle school to form a team, registered players are assigned as needed to round out team rosters. Beginning players new to golf are afforded optional basic golf instruction before everyone attends the All-Players MSGL Clinic. After the instructional golf clinic, players are encouraged to take that knowledge onto the golf course. In addition, all players and especially beginning golfers are encouraged to practice ball striking skills between team play. During the 8-week season the format for play is team competition best ball play including during one week “High School Day” where high school team golfers are invited to play along with their cluster middle school teams, a week of individual stroke play, where the most advanced players are invited to play in an invitational individual stroke 9-hole tournament. The season culminates for everyone with a Drive, Chip and Putt competition and the MSGL Awards Presentations. Players play from forward or junior tees based on ability. League play and/or clinics will be held mostly on Sundays, normally starting at or after 4 p.m.
The season officially begins with a clinic for everyone conducted by our golf course professionals, and for new golfers or players new to MSGL and orientation on team play, golf rules and golf etiquette by MSGL Director and High School Golf Coach Les Witmer. Each team has a volunteer team “Marshal” who is responsible for team lineups and supervises the play on the course. Parents are welcome to walk or purchase carts as available. All spectator carts must remain on the cart paths.
The Fall Season will start August 20 and scheduled to conclude on October 29. Team play is scheduled to begin August 27 and continue every Sunday through October 22, except for October 8, School Fall Break (Which will be rain make update as will Saturdays if needed). We’ll start the season for everyone with our All-Players’ Clinic and New Players Orientation by group sessions. There will be two optional sessions for beginning players new to golf, one before the season starts and one during the players’ season.
Our four main host golf courses for regular play are The Chimney’s Golf Club, Country Club of Gwinnett, Collins Hill Golf Course and Cedar Lake Golf Course. Providence, Trophy Club of Apalachee, Monroe and Bear Creek golf courses may host us as needed. Teams rotate and play on a different course each week.
Registration
At the close of on-line registration, we will hold our parent orientation. Depending on COVID situation at that time it will either be live or via video conferencing. The orientation will provide more detailed information about the season, uniform sizing, information about golf equipment and clubs and a Q&A session with League Director Les Witmer, and SGAA ‘s Tim Gaines and Tanya McDaniel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I register my Middle School son or daughter for the Middle School Golf League?
A: You can register on line at: https://www.middleschoolgolfleague.com
Q: What is the deadline for registration?
A: Our on-line registration for the Fall 2023 season opens July 19 and may close when we reach
optimum registrations. If we do not reach that during the open period, on-line registration will
close Monday, August 14 at 5 p.m. Note: Because of golf course availability we may again limit
registrations.
Q: What is the cost of registration?
A: Registration is $250. For parents registering additional siblings, there is a $20 discount for
each additional child.
Q: Who may register? Will you take anyone other than middle school students?
A: It is a middle school league. There are other opportunities for younger golfers with PGA and
other junior golf programs. We limit our registration to accommodate our courses. We will only
take Middle School players in grades 6, 7 and 8. In the fall in preparation for spring high school
tryouts we do allow 9th graders who played as 8
th
graders the previous season to register to play.
On occasion we have taken a fifth-grade student to fill out a team roster (sibling of middle school
player, have played golf before, etc., on a case-by-case basis approved by the League Director).
Q: Do players need to already know the rules of golf and be able to play? Does the league take
beginners?
A: We have revised our program to meet more of the needs of the true beginner young golfer.
We focus on the basics—ball striking and fundamentals and thru team best ball play it gives
them a good understanding of the game of golf. We have an on-course orientation for beginning
golfers or those new to the MSGL. Also, depending on the availability of range time at the
courses –we would announce when that is—we would have a practice session for beginners and
again that would be optional.
Q: What does the registration fee pay for? What is provided?
A: There is no other
league cost
involved for the players. No greens fees or course fees.
However, parents and spectators may purchase carts as available. Costs for nine holes range from
$15-$25 depending on what the course charges. Purchasing range balls for warm up at the
courses is optional—range ball fees also vary from course to course. The registration fee helps
us cover the cost of using the courses, the professional instruction at the clinic, team shirts, end
of year party and awards, and SGAA administration of the program. The League Director and
Marshals are volunteers.
Q: Do players need to provide their own clubs or golf supplies?
A: Yes. However, we do make available at our orientation or clinic any clubs that have been
donated especially those handed down from past Middle School players and will let you know of
any used clubs that past players or their parents are selling. But generally, we do not furnish golf
clubs. However, we help make sure the players are playing with proper equipment. The worst
thing that will hamper the young golfer is to be playing with the wrong sized clubs—especially
trying to play with adult clubs. They now make clubs that are designed for their size—height of
the youngster. And because kids grow, they will outgrow those clubs. So, first suggestion is
don’t spend a lot of money on clubs. You can get second hand or used junior golf clubs at places
like the PGA Superstore, Edwin Watts but also at Play it Again Sam, or checking with Craig’s
List or on line at 2nd Swing Golf and eBay. What is needed for beginners is a driver and/or
fairway metal, a mid iron (5 or 7) a pitching wedge and a putter. Additional clubs are okay if the
set comes with them. Players need to supply their own golf balls and tees.
Q: Do players need to have golf shoes?
A: No, in fact we recommend against it as often with young players the cleats can cause damage
to the greens. Sneakers or athletic shoes are fine.
Q: Where can I find out more about the MSGL?
A: At the close of on-line registration, we will hold our parent orientation. It will either be live
or via video conferencing. We go over in more detail information about the program. After
registration regular emails go out with MSGL information including announcing time and
location of the orientation and later schedules and player information. At the orientation we will
be providing more information on how we will conduct the orientation. We will go over the
schedule and upcoming season, golf equipment, have shirts for sizing and answer any questions.
Q: When does the season start?
A: The Fall Season will start August 20 and scheduled to conclude on October 29. Team play is
scheduled to begin August 27 and continue every Sunday through October 22, except for
October 8, School Fall Break (Which will be rain make update if needed). We’ll start the season
for everyone with our All-Players’ Clinic and New Players Orientation by group sessions.
Players will be notified as to where and when that will take place and which session they are
scheduled to attend. The All-Player’s Clinic will be led by local golf professional instructors and
will include instructions, demonstrations and then time to practice ball striking and putting. The
New Player’s Orientation is ONLY for players new to the MSGL and will be a team play
orientation for players and parents explaining best ball play, golf rules, safety and golf etiquette.
There will be two optional sessions for beginning players new to golf, one before the season
starts and one during the players’ season. If any week’s scheduled activity is cancelled due to
inclement weather, that week’s scheduled activity will take place the following week and that
moves everything forward and the
Sunday October 8
rain make-up date comes into play.
If
subsequent rain make-up dates are needed, they may be scheduled on a Saturday, if golf course
Contact
MSGL Director Les Witmer
lawitmer@comcast.net