Bowes Creek Golf Academy Youth Programs

Bowes Creek Golf Academy Youth Programs include individualized golf instruction that covers full swing dynamics, short game, putting, course management, and the mental game. The programs offer short game clinics, pitching from 30–90 yards, chipping, putting clinics, on course playing lessons, golf games, and balanced drills that include fitness and throwing skills. Youth can also participate in the Golf Elgin Junior Tour, Bowes Creek Tiny Tots Golf, and the US Kids Development Program, which includes putting, around the green, full swing, knowledge, and scoring achievements on the course.

• Ages: 4–15 years old
• Schedule: Bowes Creek Tiny Tots Golf meets in 50-minute sessions on Wednesdays or Thursdays in four-week blocks in May–June and July; the US Kids Development Program runs in five-week sessions for one hour per week with multiple Wednesday and Thursday time options in May–June, July–August, and September.
• Price: Bowes Creek Tiny Tots Golf costs $99 per child; the US Kids Development Program costs $199; juniors under 18 can receive individual instruction at $40 per half hour; the Golf Elgin Junior Tour has a $145 registration fee, $40 green fees per tournament, and optional spectator carts at $25; additional individual instruction and clinic pricing is available, including custom individual instruction starting at $60 per half hour or $110 per hour depending on instructor.

Bowes Creek Golf Academy Youth Programs are led by PGA trained professionals. Mike Lehman is a PGA Professional, Director of Golf at Bowes Creek Country Club, and Director of Golf Operations for the City of Elgin, and he has been the lead junior golf instructor at Bowes Creek since its opening in 2009. He has overseen The Highlands and Wing Park golf courses for 19 years, participated in the Bowes Creek Country Club development as an owners’ representative for the City of Elgin, played on the University of Illinois golf team, and was part of two state champion runner-up teams with St Edward High School in Elgin. He has been instructing collegiate and high school players since the mid-1980s. Bill Krueger is listed as the instructor for Bowes Creek Tiny Tots Golf and the US Kids Development Program.

The stated goal of the program is to make the game fun and enjoyable while making it interesting and challenging, and Mike Lehman’s philosophy is to have fun with his students while requiring commitment and attention to detail to create a technically sound golf game. The US Kids Development Program has five levels that become more technical, with checkpoint achievement pins in core testing areas, and each student receives a hat; completion of Level 3 is required before registering for Levels 4 and 5 when possible, and golf clubs are available if needed. Bowes Creek Tiny Tots Golf uses special SNAG training equipment provided in class, does not use regular golf clubs or balls, and requires an adult to accompany each tot. The Golf Elgin Junior Tour includes boys and girls divisions with two age divisions (8–11 and 12–15), awards points for Top 10 finishes in league matches, recognizes League Champions with a League Champion Medal, and holds a Tournament of Champions for the final 24-point getters. Bowes Creek Golf Course is rated Illinois’s #1 golf course through Golf Advisor, has special recognition for friendliest staff, and is rated #21 in the country by Golf Advisor.

Last updated January 14, 2026.