FAR HILLS, N.J. (July 27, 2011) – An enthusiastic group of more than 60 young golfers arrived at the USGA Golf House in Far Hills, N.J. on Wednesday, July 27, to participate in the year’s second MGA/MetLife Youth Clinic. The juniors, representing New Jersey-based First Tee programs at Plainfield West, Weequahic Park, and Raritan Valley, all enjoyed a day of golf history and games at the USGA headquarters.

The day started off with a video presented by Shannon Doody of the USGA, which reviewed highlights of Rory McIlroy’s triumphant 2011 U.S. Open win. After the presentation, the group enjoyed lunch and was pleasantly surprised with an appearance by Snoopy, who greeted the youngsters and posed for pictures. 

Following lunch was a three-station rotation. Each group received a guided tour of the USGA Museum and the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History, watched demonstrations of some of the machines used to test new golf equipment at the USGA Equipment Testing Center, and rolled some putts alongside Snoopy with replica putters from the early 1900s on the USGA’s expansive putting green.

The event was the second in a series of three annual youth clinics conducted by the MGA and MetLife. The third and final clinic will be held in conjunction with this year’s Met Open at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, N.Y. on Monday, August 22. MetLife has a long history of community service and has been a partner of the MGA for more than 25 years. Metlife is the sponsor of eight MGA championships as well as the MGA Calendar of Competitions, and supports the MGA Foundation junior golf initiatives. For more information on MGA/MetLife Youth Clinics, please contact Jeff Day of the MGA Foundation at jday@mgagolf.org or 914-347-4653.