Elmsford, N.Y. – On Thursday, January 20, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York Young Benefactors hosted its 2011 Kickoff Event at Drive 495, a Manhattan golf and fitness center owned by 2010 MGA Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Joe Saladino and his brother, Don.

Founded by Ned May, Kate Keller and TFTMNY Board Member Michael Rudin, the Young Benefactors are a group of young professionals with the mission of leveraging the members’ collective experience and expertise to find ways to support The First Tee of Metropolitan New York.

The event was designed to thank those who have supported Young Benefactors in the past and to introduce others to the great work that The First Tee does in conducting youth development programs throughout the region. Attendees of the event enjoyed use of Drive 495’s state-of-the-art golf simulators and competed in longest drive and closest to the pin contests during the evening.

This was the first of six Young Benefactors events that will take place during 2011, including a Masters Cocktail Party, Volunteer Day, Member-Guest at the TFTMNY headquarters at Mosholu Golf Course, Day at The Barclays PGA TOUR event, and a Year-End Celebration.

For more information on how to join Young Benefactors and get involved with promoting and supporting the efforts of The First Tee, please click here to learn more.