Welcome to The Golf Parent, where golf’s top minds share the secrets and systems that help your junior golfer win—on and off the course.
In this episode, Ryan sits down with Andrew Summers, the founder and visionary behind the International Junior Golf Academy (IJGA). From its private golf course to its 100-student cap, IJGA redefines what quality training and holistic development look like. Andrew shares how theacademy blends world-class coaching, fitness training, and academic excellence within a culturally diverse environment that helps young athletes mature into disciplined, confident, and globally aware individuals.
Parents will hear what questions to ask when choosing a boarding-school-style golf academy, how independence and character shape long-term success, and why “golf heaven” isn’t just about perfect fairways—it’s about preparing kids for life beyond the game.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- IJGA delivers elite training with a private golf course and world-class coaches
- Capping enrollment at 100 ensures individual attention and quality development
- Independence and character are central to the IJGA philosophy
- Cultural diversity creates empathy, perspective, and maturity
- Fitness is essential for both performance and injury prevention
- Academic partnerships support balanced student-athlete growth
- Parents should do their due diligence when evaluating golf academies
- Summer and winter camps introduce younger golfers to academy life
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to IJGA
03:03 – Building “Golf Heaven” in Florida
05:54 – Why Capping Enrollment at 100 Matters
08:53 – Year-Round Golf and Growth Opportunities
11:54 – The Boarding-School Advantage
14:48 – Developing Independence & Character
17:41 – Cultural Diversity and Peer Influence
21:02 – Life, Food, and Community at IJGA
27:00 – The Role of Fitness in Junior Golf
34:55 – Academic Excellence & School Partnerships
49:56 – Choosing the Right Academy for Your Child
55:40 – Summer and Winter Camp Pathways
01:02:56 – Final Thoughts on Golf, Growth, and Character
💥 Sponsor Shoutout:
This episode is sponsored by IJGA, the world’s premier junior golf academy trusted by families who want to unlock their golfer’s full potential.
🔗 Connect with Andrew Summers:
🌐 Email: / Andrew.summers@IJGA.com
🔗 Connect with IJGA:
🌐 Website: https://ijga.com/
📸 Instagram: ijga_bishopsgate
🔗 Connect with The Golf Parent:
🌐 Website: https://www.thegolfparent.com/
📸 Instagram: / thegolfparent
📺 YouTube: / @thegolfparent
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