(PEBBLE BEACH, Ca.) — Youth on Course — the non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the landscape of golf and the lives of young people through opportunities on and off the golf course – has announced Kathy Wiggans as its new Board Chair, and appointed Erick Mitchell and Amanda Norvell to its Board of Directors.
Wiggans, a member of the Board of Directors since 2019, will become the organization’s first-ever female Board Chair. She has devoted her life serving youth, starting as a Registered Nurse at Beth Israel Hospital (Boston, Mass.), a Harvard University teaching hospital, and later working in the pharmaceutical industry in R&D and sales. Wiggans has contributed to many nonprofits, holding a variety of leadership and fundraising positions, including President of the Parent’s Association at St. Joseph’s School (Atherton, Calif.), co-President of the Parent’s Association of Sacred Heart Prep (Atherton, Calif.), and Chair of the annual auction for Sacred Heart Schools, surpassing previous revenue records.
“We are thrilled to confirm Kathy as the newest leader of our Board of Directors,” says Dave Baker, current Board Chair, “She has worked tirelessly to grow our reach and develop impactful programs for youth around the country.
Confirming our first female chair in our nonprofit’s 15-year history is a statement to all young women interested in golf that there are meaningful opportunities for them in our industry and through Youth on Course. Under her direction, we look forward to continuing our work transforming lives through the game of golf.”
Both Mitchell and Norvell will join the board in January and contribute to the oversight of the organization’s activities for a 3-year term. The appointments come as Youth on Course continues to grow its membership, with over 130,000 active members across the United States and Canada.
“Erick and Amanda are long-time supporters of our mission,” says Wiggans. “Their experience and dedication in growing the game of golf will be a great asset to the organization and we are thrilled to have them on our Board of Directors.”
Mitchell, the Executive Vice President of IVY Planning Group, is a former competitive junior, collegiate, and mini tour player who has been committed to growing the game of golf for decades. His initiatives have engaged corporate sponsors and introduced hundreds of minority students from schools across the country to the sport. He is an advisor to golf industry executives on D&I and growint the game of golf and has served on the boards of several local and national non-profit organizations focusing on STEM, golf, and empowering youth from underserved communities.
“As someone who grew up playing golf, I believe involvement in the game has the ability to shape and influence the possibilities and outcomes in a young person’s life,” says Mitchell. “I am honored to serve on the Youth on Course Board of Directors, and excited for the opportunity to help create life changing opportunities on and off the course for our members.”
Norvell brings nearly a decade of experience in the golf industry, most recently as a Vice President at NBC Sports Next where she has been a guiding force in facilitating the organization’s partnership and support of Youth on Course. She also has significant organizational leadership experience in using sports for positive change, connecting student athletes across the country with nonprofits in her role as Vice Chair at Sports2Change.
“Growing the game of golf has been an important goal of mine in each stop of my career,” says Norvell. “Youth on Course is leading the way in making the game more inclusive and accessible to everyone. I am honored to join their Board of Directors and support this impactful work.”
Operating across North America, Youth on Course has more than 130,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have played more than 1.3 million subsidized rounds of golf while the organization has helped generate more than $8 million in tee-time revenue reimbursed back to individual golf courses. In addition to subsidized rounds, Youth on Course puts their members’ lives on a different trajectory by providing off-course growth and learning experiences including paid internships, a caddie program, and nationwide scholarships, with more than 300 students awarded with college scholarships to date totaling more than $2 million awarded through the scholarship program.
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More information: 831.625.4653.
About Youth on Course
The core purpose of Youth on Course is to help young people grow and succeed both on and off the course by providing opportunities to play, learn, grow, and build relationships through affordable, inclusive access to play. More than 130,000 members play more than 1,700 golf courses for $5 or less, benefit from career opportunities through the caddie and internship program and receive college scholarships. Headquartered in Pebble Beach, Youth on Course is a 501(c)3 organization that began as the charitable arm of the Northern California Golf Association. Since 2006, more than one million subsidized rounds have been played by Youth on Course members and more than $2 million has been awarded in college scholarships. Across North America, Youth on Course serves all of the United States of America and parts of Canada.