BRONX, N.Y.-PGA TOUR commissioner Tim Finchem will be joined by City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and other New York City officials for the grand opening of the city’s first and only First Tee golf facility, on Wednesday, June 5th at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, New York.  The site, officially known as The First Tee of Metropolitan New York is a joint initiative of The First Tee - a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing affordable golf access for everyone, especially kids, who otherwise might not have an opportunity to play.- and the Metropolitan PGA and the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation. 

 

Mosholu Golf Course is an existing nine-hole public facility that is part of the New York City Parks system.  It is uniquely located in the heart of the Bronx, just steps away from the # 4 subway line, and is also easily reached by bus or car.  The facility also includes a large double-sided practice facility that has been renovated over the last four months to include a state-of-the-art youth golf training center, complete with practice greens and bunkers, a driving range and par-3 golf holes, all dedicated to kids. Much of the work done on the course and range has been coordinated by the MGA Foundation and the Met PGA, with great support from the local golf course superintendents and the local golf community.  The project has also benefited from a generous grant from the USGA Foundation. It is estimated that up to 80 students can be on site at the learning facility at any one time with little or no impact on the public’s use of the golf course or driving range. This translates into literally thousands of youngsters that can potentially come through the junior teaching program each season.

 

MGA Foundation Executive Director Jay Mottola cites Mosholu as “near perfect” in terms of meeting the goals of The First Tee.  “To find an existing golf course, in the heart of the city that is so accessible and that has adequate land for the development of a first rate teaching center is really a miracle.  A miracle”, he adds, “that would not have been possible without the help of a number of people who were instrumental in helping us structure a long term license with the City Parks Department and secure the necessary funding to make the project feasible.” In particular, Mottola cites the late New York City real estate magnate Lew Rudin, who provided the financial and political support that really made this project happen. “Lew Rudin was a true friend of golf,” says Mottola, “and never forgot about giving something back to the game. At the ceremony we will also be pleased to announce the opening of the Lew Rudin Youth Golf Center at Mosholu, as a tribute to Rudin and his dedication to the young people of New York City.”

 

Met PGA Director Charlie Robson is equally excited about the project and views it as an excellent opportunity for the area’s golf professionals to introduce thousands more inner city youths to the game. “Mosholu will have a very structured training program” notes Robson,  “and will involve dozens of the Met Area’s finest teaching professionals working with local schools and community groups on a regular basis.  But the program will be about much more than the technical aspects of golf.  It will also teach Life Skills, including etiquette, honor, self discipline and respect.”

 

Mosholu Golf Course has operated as a public golf course since 1914 and will continue to be open to the public.  Barry McLaughlin, the newly appointed Executive Director of the facility, noted that “the beauty of the way things will work at Mosholu is that we can achieve all of our goals with regard to The First Tee program and really not have any impact on the regular play at the golf course.  This not only helps us economically, but also allows Mosholu to continue to serve the golfing public and the Mosholu “regulars” as it always has.”

 

The official opening ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. and is expected to draw about 200 representatives from local and national golf organizations, including top officials from The First Tee and New York City.  The First Tee is a joint initiative of the PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, LPGA and Augusta National Golf Club and is chaired by George Bush, the 41^st President of the United States.  An avid golfer and sportsman all his life, Bush’s grandfather and great grandfather both served as USGA Presidents. 

 

For more information on Mosholu and The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, please contact Jeanne McCooey at 914-347-4653 or Barry McLaughlin at 718-655-9165.