Our Story

Brad Dean, Scott Wilson, and the team of well respected PGA Professional instructors at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa have worked together for many years coaching talented middle-school, high school, and collegiate golfers, along with touring professionals, both privately and via the Junior Elite Program.

Over time they began to recognize that a number of players with exceptional talent were dropping out because their families could no longer afford the instruction, equipment, or expense of playing in national junior tournaments; events they needed to participate in to get noticed by college coaches. One question kept on surfacing, "How do we keep these kids playing?"

It was troubling to see kids with the skill and drive fall by the wayside due to financial hardship, especially when golf may be their only ticket to college. Brad and his team set forward to create a formal program that would help this specific group of talented kids stay with the game, and have an opportunity to reach their potential.

From these discussions the Great Lakes Golf Academy was born. With the instrumental help and experience of Bob Lober and the Traverse City Junior Golf Association, along with a Advisory board dedicated to providing talented, yet perhaps less fortunate kids, every opportunity to learn the game and advance without serious financial restrictions, the team at Crystal Mountain was able to put their plan into action.

The GLGA's main focus is to level the financial playing field by removing many of the monetary obstacles that prohibit some very talented kids from continuing a sport that offers so many valuable life skills, and the potential to continue to play at higher levels.

Who we are

The Great Lakes Golf Academy (GLGA), is a non-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization. GLGA is where perseverance meets opportunity.

Most beginning and junior golf programs are geared toward introducing young people to the game with little or no high-level training available for advancing players. We have found that there's a group of talented young kids who have started playing the golf with the help of these introductory programs, progressed quite nicely along the way, but who eventually have to drop out due to the lack of financial resources.

The monetary commitment required to develop one's game, and then gain necessary exposure, can be quite daunting for some. Due to these financial barriers many skilled kids miss out on opportunities for significant scholarships, and the chance to play at the collegiate level. GLGA is focused on eliminating that gap for qualified, young players.

The GLGA provides the necessary funding to help these exceptional, young golfers get the highest level of instruction from world class golf coaches such as Brad Dean, Scott Wilson, Mike Cote, and the rest of the highly acclaimed Crystal Mountain staff (Golf Magazine Top 25 Golf Schools in America for 2010).

Additionally, GLGA is committed to provide the financial resources to a select number of talented young golfers who without our help wouldn't be able to compete against the top players in the country, and prove themselves worthy of consideration of college scholarships. The GLGA is the missing element for talented young golfers who would not otherwise be afforded the exposure and opportunity play collegiately, and who may not have any other means of continuing their education.