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Lower Gwynedd Township, Pa. (April 26, 2023) — The Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour is excited to announce a new partnership with Operation 36, a developmental program and technology to introduce and guide anyone in playing the game of golf.

Operation 36, a division of Golf Genius Software, also known as Op36, will be a Presenting Partner for the tour’s FUNdamental Tour, a division targeted towards youth golfers, ages 7-18, who are just beginning their journey into tournament golf. As part of the agreement, the tour will be rebranded as the FUNdamental Tour Powered by Op36.

Established as a precursor to the full Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour, the FUNdamental Tour aims to provide tournaments to players who’s ability is in the growth stages. Each FUNdamental Tour each event will feature reduced yardages, a maximum score of double par, and the ability to use a parent caddie. The events are meant to be less competitive than the standard Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour events, so the emphasis is on fun and game improvement.

“We are delighted to have Op36 power our FUNdamental Tour,” said Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour Director Leilyn Nowaczynski. “Our goal in creating the FUNdamental Tour was to help beginners grow and become more competitive, without losing the fun aspects of the game, and Op36 helps us do just that.”

In addition to their partnership with the tour, the Philadelphia PGA Section will highlight Op36 facilities to engage youth golfers at the local level, as well as work to grow the number of Op36 facilties across the Section’s territory.

“The Philly Section is at the forefront of an initiative nationwide to give players a better first experience in competitive golf,” said Op36 Co-Founder and General Manager Ryan Dailey, PGA. “After they experience some success and gain confidence from the beginning levels in Operation 36, they can graduate to the FUNdamental Tour and eventually to the Philadelphia PGA Junior Tour. For those players that are looking for coaching, we have partnered with a handful of local facilities that have agreed to accept players from the FUNdamental Tour into their local Operation 36 Academies. This is a win-win-win for PGA Members, the Section and more importantly, the families.”
About Operation 36 Golf

The Operation 36 Golf Program is best known for teaching golf backwards. By starting on the green, rather than the tee box, they have flipped the model of traditional golf instruction. In doing so, beginners become golfers as they progress through the motivating 10-level curriculum. Unlike most golf programs, Juniors start on the golf course on the first day, and they attend weekly group classes to learn a new skill.

The Operation36 curriculum is based on principles of gamification (it’s fun) and involves a long-term player development model. Once the golfer graduates from Level 10 they can shoot 36 on a 3,000 yard golf course. Communications technology, including a proprietary app, is used to keep parents, coaches, and the golfer connected. Coaches typically offer four semesters per year, and tuition varies depending on course fees and lesson pricing.This popular, on-course model has been used by over 100,000 golfers at over 700 locations.