(PEBBLE BEACH, Ca.) — Youth on Course — the non-profit organization dedicated to opening doors, supporting dreams and transforming the lives of young people through opportunities on and off the golf course – has appointed Matt Ginella, Executive Producer of Dawn Patrol Productions and long-time golf personality, to its Board of Directors.
Ginella joins the board immediately to contribute to the oversight of the organization’s activities for a 3-year term. Nominated by Board Chair Dave Baker, he shares this honor with 12 other passionate professionals dedicated to transforming the lives of youth through the game of golf. This appointment coincides with Youth on Course’s recent surge, celebrating milestones including a 53% year-over-year increase in membership for the month of July, and a 77% year-over-year increase in rounds played. Plus, Youth on Course added eight new Allied Golf Association (AGA) partnerships, now offering affordable $5 green fees across 37 states and Canada.
“Matt’s support over the years has been valued and his advocacy has been a contributing factor to our growth. We’re excited to formalize the relationship by bringing Matt on to our Board of Directors”, says Youth on Course Board Chair David Baker. “His experience in golf, along with his vision for the future of the game, will be extremely beneficial as we continue to provide youth with access to life-changing opportunities.”
Ginella brings 20 years of experience in the golf industry where he most recently spent the last eight years as the Travel Insider for Golf Channel and Golf Advisor, appearing weekly on “Morning Drive” and producing features for Golf Channel’s “Live From” the major championships. Prior to Golf Channel, he was Senior Travel Editor for Golf Digest and Golf World magazines (2007-2012) where he covered courses and resorts, as well as the avid amateur’s annual buddies trips to over 60 destinations around the country. This year, Ginella launched Dawn Patrol Productions, a company focused on storytelling and distribution through various forms of content and platforms.
“It was love at first sight. I discovered Youth on Course in 2014, covering the reopening of Poppy Hills, home to the Northern California Golf Association, of which I remain a member and have been since I was a teenager,” says Ginella. “Subsidizing green fees for kids, allowing them affordable access to not only golf, but the life-changing experiences that go with the game, was and is an incredible concept. I’ve been promoting it and supporting it ever since, so to be named to the Board of Directors is an honor and an opportunity to continue to have a positive impact on a game that has provided me a lifetime of friendships and memories.”
Youth on Course puts their members’ lives on a different trajectory by providing off-course growth and learning experiences including paid internships, a scholarship program and caddying opportunities. In 2020, the organization awarded 19 members with scholarships to support their college dreams. More than 70% of scholarship recipients are minorities and over 42% of scholarships awarded in 2020 were to members set to be the first in their family to attend college. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 2008, 260 Youth on Course members have been awarded with scholarships totaling close to $2 million in financial support. The current scholarship retention rate is ninety-three percent.
