ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 25, 2006) – More than 500 youngsters participated in The MGA Foundation’s annual Caddie Academies at seven Met Area clubs from April 3 through April 18, 2006.  The MGA has long been one of the country’s leading golf associations in its efforts to promote caddies as a vital part of the golf experience, and takes pride in the continued education of young men and women on the health and social benefits of this great tradition.

The Foundation’s Caddie Academies, begun in 1995, consist of one-day, after school programs at participating Met Area courses.  They are open to all Met Area youth, are free of charge, and all participants receive certificates of completion which can be used to obtain employment at area golf clubs. The afternoon sessions include classroom instruction, on-course training and complimentary refreshments and are conducted by members of the MGA staff, local caddie masters and golf professionals, who volunteer their time.  Among this year’s instructors was three-time Met Open champion Darrell Kestner of Deepdale Golf Club who led a group of 15 young men and women at Nassau Country Club.     

The positive response to the Caddie Academies have grown the program from three to seven sites each year, making it one of the MGA Foundation’s most popular and successful ventures. This year’s Westchester/Connecticut seminars were held at Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y., the Country Club of Darien in Darien, Conn. and Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.  The New Jersey seminars were conducted at Ridgewood Country Club in Ridgewood and Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield.  The Long Island academies were hosted by Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove and Hempstead Golf & Country Club in Hempstead.

The success of the Caddie Academies is attributed to the continued commitment of MGA member clubs, Junior Committee members and local caddie masters and professionals.  The MGA Foundation is grateful for their contributions of time and the use of their club facilities, as well as their extensive knowledge and appreciation of caddieing.