The Sixtyone Golf Academy (the "Academy") is a golf introduction, development, and integration program based on the Change. Think. Golf. philosophy.
The goal of this program is to eliminate misconceptions and barriers of entry to playing golf, provide resources and comfortable golf course environments that promote growth, and challenge Academy students to become complete and independent young golfers.
Golf is a game of honor. When a golfer breaks a rule they are expected to penalize themselves. Everything the Sixtyone Golf Academy does comes back to core values of golf and each golfers personal responsibility to respect the game
The Academy, by connecting the students to a support network, gives them the courage to try golf. Then it gives them the courage to develop their skills, by providing the tools they need, golf instruction, community, and laughs.
RESPONSIBILITY EQUALS PRIVILEGES
The Academy is a structured environment that constantly rewards the students for their efforts and by the color of golf hat they have earned. Responsibility equals privileges. Student earn privileges for the work they put in towards their own personal development as young golfers. Additionally, they earn privileges for the work they put in doing things for others. They start off as newbies (white hat golfers). Their only responsibility at this level is effort. They move through the veteran levels (khaki and gray hat golfers) by demonstrating effort and comprehension. Last, they reach the complete and independent level (blue hat golfers) when they can apply core golf concepts of integrity, honesty, determination, and commitment to daily activities on and off the golf course.
THE CLUBHOUSE
At any golf course, the clubhouse is the center of operations. It's the central meeting place for everything that happens at the course. At Sixtyone, our clubhouse is online. We use the Google Chat app to communicate with each other and share information.
ONLINE GOLF INSTRUCTION
The Academy operates by presenting the students with a constant series of challenges. They can access these challenges via their student dashboard. There are two types of challenges: ATN (Above the neck) and Skills. ATN challenges ask the students use their brains. Skills challenges ask them use their bodies.
ON-CAMPUS GOLF INSTRUCTION
Students in the San Bernardino City Unified School District also have on-campus golf sessions. These session meet once a week during CAPS afterschool programming. Schedules vary. However, middle school students will have at least one golf session each week. Elementary school sessions and middle school bonus sessions can be earned based on student participation levels at each school site.
ON-COURSE GOLF INSTRUCTION
The Academy also operates weekly on-course sessions at Shandin Hills Golf Club. The schedule for these sessions also vary. Academy session start times change with the seasons. We meet at the end of the day when the traffic on the golf course lightens up. This gives beginning students more access to the facilities. Meet times are communicated through the Clubhouse.
GOLF SCHOLARSHIPS
Students at all hat levels can earn golf scholarships that allow them to use Shandin Hills GC as often as they can.
White hat golfers earn unlimited use of the practice area. At this level, they earn the use of free golf equipment and have access to unlimited driving range balls. Golf course access at this level must be supervised by senior Academy staff or a parent with previous golf knowledge.