The United States Golf Association will prepare a special place for kids at the 2009 U.S. Senior Open.  As part of the "Catch the Spirit" program, youth 17 and under are guaranteed an up close and personal look at the world's greatest senior golfers when the national championship comes to Crooked Stick Golf Club.

As part of the "Catch the Spirit" program, kids will receive:

• Free admission to the championship when accompanied by a ticketed adult
• Front-row seating in all on-course grandstands, Monday through Sunday
• A chance to hone skills and have fun on a putting green set up just for juniors
• Opportunity to participate in a golf course scavenger hunt
• "Inside the Ropes" tours of the golf course
• Free lunch voucher
• Free "Catch the Spirit" baseball cap

"Catch the Spirit" has many programs designed directly for youth, including "Kids get a front row seat."  All front row seats of the grandstands at the championship will be reserved for youth, guaranteeing them a premier seat to experience the thrill and excitement of the championship.

Juniors will also have the chance to benefit from the program's educational focus and emphasis on fun and hands-on teaching.  All week they will have access to golf course tours, a practice putting green and golf course scavenger hunts.

"Catch the Spirit" began in 1991 in an effort to attract more youth and families to the game of golf and to the USGA championships.  The goal of the program is to provide exposure to the game - its rich history, heroes and lessons - to a new generation of golfers.