When it comes to building a thriving junior golf program, Operation 36 Coach Ambassador Maggie Simons, PGA, of the Pacific Northwest PGA Section, has cracked the code. Her programming consistently fills in minutes, her students are motivated, and her business continues to grow—all thanks to a few key best practices that she’s refined over the years.
At the heart of her success? Creating urgency and demand around program registration.
“Our sign-ups go live at 9:00 AM on a specific date,” Maggie shares. “Class sizes are limited and can fill up in under a minute. By advertising registration times and capping spots, we’ve trained families to act fast—and they do. It sends the message that this program is valuable, and it builds real excitement.”
This scarcity-driven approach doesn’t just get kids in the door—it builds buzz, boosts perceived value, and makes parents prioritize golf like they do other top-tier extracurriculars.
She also credits two other strategies with driving measurable growth:
Together, these best practices have helped Maggie turn her Operation 36 program into one of the most in-demand junior golf offerings in her region.
And for coaches thinking about joining the movement?
“Operation 36 raises your value as a coach, brings more students into your lesson book, and makes group coaching the most scalable part of your business,” Maggie says. “There’s no better platform if you want to grow as a coach and build a community around golf.”
About Maggie Simons:
Maggie Simons is the PGA Director of Instruction at The Oregon Golf Club in West Linn, Oregon, and a four-time Op 36 Master Coach. Since relocating to the Pacific Northwest in 2017, she has become a leader in junior golf development, earning accolades such as Oregon Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year and being named one of Golf Digest’s Top Young Teachers in America. From launching the first licensed Op 36 facility in North Carolina to now expanding programming for juniors and ladies in Oregon, Maggie has built a powerful model for success—and she’s passionate about helping other coaches in the region do the same.
Behind the scenes, Operation 36 is the only company in golf tracking a beginner’s journey from their first 9 holes to shooting par from the full tee box.
With over 200,000 golfers introduced to the game, it is clear that there is a large time gap between day one and when a golfer is ready for a Handicap. Operation 36 is committed to creating more lifelong golfers by closing the gap in beginner retention, providing the tools and programs that make learning fun and motivating at every step.
Interested in bringing Operation 36 to your Facility?
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