ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 24, 2008) – More than 500 youngsters participated in the MGA Foundation’s annual Caddie Academies at nine Met Area clubs from April 7 through April 23, 2008. The MGA is 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 assist the teens with obtaining employment at area golf clubs. The afternoon sessions include classroom instruction followed by on-course training that focuses on proper golf and caddie technique and etiquette on the tees, fairways, and green complexes. These instructional academies are conducted by members of the MGA staff with the help of local caddie masters and golf professionals who volunteer their time for the cause. Among this year’s volunteer caddie masters were David Zona of Winged Foot GC, Rob Bucci of Ardsley CC, Al Zimmerman of Siwanoy CC, and John Amoruso of Elmwood CC.  

The positive response to the Caddie Academies has grown the program from three sites to the nine venues visited this 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., Wee Burn Country Club in Darien, Conn., and Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y. An academy was also held at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx that was attended by Mount Vernon High School students. The New Jersey seminars were conducted at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus and Fairmount Country Club in Chatham. The Long Island academies were hosted by Nassau Country Club in Glen Cove, Eisenhower Park Golf Course in East Meadow, 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.