The U.S. Kids Golf Mission Podcast

What an incredible conversation with Suzy Whaley! ⛳️

Her golf resume is remarkable, but what makes this episode special is the insight she shares as a coach, mentor, and parent.

We talk about developing young golfers, building confidence, navigating competition, and the important role parents play in helping their kids grow—not just in golf, but in life.

Whether you're a golf parent, coach, or simply passionate about the game, there's something here for you.

This is about so much more than golf. It's about helping young people become the best versions of themselves.

🎧 Check out the latest episode! You won't want to miss this one.

#Golf #GolfParenting #YouthGolf #GolfCoaching #SuzyWhaley #GolfLife

On the latest episode of The Mission Podcast, John Wainwright joins us to talk about the U.S. Kids Golf Player Pathway and how it helps young players build skills, set goals, gain confidence, and develop a lifelong love of golf.

🎧 Watch the episode on our YouTube page or listen wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts!

#USKidsGolf #TheMissionPodcast #JuniorGolf #PlayerPathway

What does it take to develop great players, build a strong golf community, and support families through the game? In this episode of The Mission Podcast, we sit down with Oliver Oliquiano—a U.S. Kids Golf Master Top 50 coach, Local Tour tournament director, and most importantly, parent of a gifted player. Oliver brings a unique perspective from every side of the game. You'll want to hear his thoughts and encouragements no matter how you fit into the golf world. Mahalo Oliver!

Tom Morton, PGA VP of Player Development at Morton Golf, which runs Sacramento Golf Facilities including Haggin Oaks, joins the Mission Podcast to talk about how emphasizing kids and families has proven to be a good decision - not just for the growth of the game, but for the growth of their business.

Sky Sudberry was a golf star at a young age. Her journey in the game includes movie fame, a visit with Justin Timberlake, the ups and downs of high-level golf, and trying to keep the rest of her life grounded and normal. So how does she do it? And what can she tell others about what she's learned and how it can help them? Find out in this latest episode of The Mission Podcast.

Few young golfers have inspired more kids to pick up a club than Allan Kournikova, the breakout star of Netflix's first original documentary, The Short Game. At just seven years old, he became one of the most recognizable young golfers in the world, and more than a decade later, the film continues to inspire a new generation of players and families.

So what's Allan doing today? What lessons from The Short Game have stayed with him, both on and off the course?

On this episode of The Mission Podcast, Allan reflects on growing up in the spotlight, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the documentary, and offers thoughtful advice for today's young golfers and the parents helping them navigate the journey.

It's the biggest week in kids golf, how should you prepare? One of the top young players in the world, Jake McGuire, and his father Sean, talk to us about proper preparation, managing expectations, controlling costs, best spots to visit and everything else leading up to - and competing - at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships.

This is one of the BEST stories in golf, and not enough people know about it. This episode of The Mission Podcast (presented by Tropicana) welcomes Kevin Corn, PGA who for the past 15 years, has brought joy and hope to hospitalized kids through the power of golf.

"Make learning golf so fun that the kids don't even realize they're learning." It's a simple and important concept, but it takes discipline and creativity to put it into action. Jennifer Bermingham, the National Director of Golf Programming for Invited Clubs; learned, played, and now teaches using the philosophy that influences how thousands of kids develop in the game. Hear her thoughts on what it takes to make golf easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

One of the most respected organizations in all of golf is the AJGA. What is it and who is it for? Certainly, a lot of U.S. Kids Golf families have questions about it. So we invited their Executive Director, Stephen Hamblin on The Mission Podcast (presented by our new partners at Tropicana) to tell you about their organization, their mission, and what they can do for your family.

U.S. Kids Golf is a complex organization, encompassing three main pillars and serving millions of families worldwide since its inception 30 years ago. Why do we do things different than practically every other company? Why are parents allowed inside the ropes? Why do clubs and tournaments cost what they cost? Why are simulators an increasingly important part of the learning process for kids? We get the straight-forward answers and a whole lot more with this candid and fun discussion with the boss, Dan Van Horn.

If your young player is interested in playing golf at a higher level, they will enjoy plenty of success - and a number of challenges. How do you prepare them for both? Madison Moman has seen and done it all in the world of junior golf. Now, as a college D1 golfer at the University of Louisville, she shares her story and insights into how to get the most out of all the experiences you'll have in the world of junior golf.

Brian Crowell is one of the most recognized and lauded PGA Professionals in the country. Not only is immensely respected as a teacher, manager, and club ambassador, he also has built a sterling reputation as an author, announcer, and even a band member. In this episode of The Mission Podcast, the 2026 PGA Professional of the Year shares his advice to coaches, managers, and parents about how to make the most out of your kids journey in golf.

To get the most out of your time in golf, you and your family should have a good understanding of the trends and growth of the game. And who better to tell us about that than the National Golf Foundation? Erik Matuszewski of the NGF joins us on The Mission Podcast to give us a better overview of where golf is, where it's headed, and why it should matter to you.

Justin Martin, PGA has led the creation and success of two of the largest junior golf programs in America. What are the key components that he uses to ensure kids have fun and what should parents look for as they get their kids started in golf? He joins the U.S. Kids Golf Mission podcast to share his insights on getting your player started in their lifetime journey.

Matt Murphy is like millions of other parents in the country, just hoping to guide their kids into endeavors that will fulfill their life while providing opportunities to grow closer as a family. His older daughter also loved golf enough to work at it, and eventually won the U.S. Kids Golf World Teen Championship in 2024. But as special as that moment was (and it really was!), Matt talks to The Mission Podcast about how the journey has been even more rewarding than the goal.

Kevin Weeks, PGA, is the Director of Golf at Cog Hill Golf Club just outside of Chicago, Illinois. He is one of the most highly acclaimed coaches in America, with numerous awards and accolades, along with several Tour winners, as part of his coaching journey. So why does he now focus on kids getting better at golf? And what's his secret to all of his success with them? More than anything, he makes sure it's FUN. On this episode, he shares some insights that all parents and coaches should keep in mind when working with young players.

Getting your kids into the right golf equipment is a critical part of helping them enjoy learning and developing a love for the game. But how do you navigate this often confusing and complex path? Josh Kinchen, the Senior Director of Product Development for U.S. Kids Golf, joins us to talk about what parents should look for, what to avoid, and how to make sure that proper development is the main goal for kids when they start.