PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (January 30, 2008) - Three First Tee of Metropolitan New York sites have each received a $5,000 grant from the PGA of America Foundation and golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The sites, The First Tee of Nassau County, The First Tee of Essex County, and The First Tee of Metropolitan New York at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, were awarded the grants because they use PGA Professionals to instruct participants.

Since 2001, The PGA of America and Jack Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified chapters of The First Tee that utilize PGA Professionals for instruction.

"The PGA of America is proud to kick of this New Year with our partner Jack Nicklaus to extend Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants coast to coast," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The wonderful messages and reports we receive are that these grants continue to produce success stories in communities. The First Tee momentum has helped grow the game of golf and brought many young people into the game."

The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (TFTMNY) was founded in 2001 as a joint venture between the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation and Metropolitan Section of the PGA to create affordable and accessible golf facilities and bring First Tee programming to young people from all backgrounds. TFTMNY operates First Tee sites at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, Chelsea Piers in Manhattan and The First Tee of Nassau County at Eisenhower Park. TFTMNY also operates, in conjunction with the New Jersey PGA and the NJSGA, The First Tee of Essex County at Weequahic Park and The First Tee of Bridgeport, in conjunction with The First Tee of Connecticut.