NEWARK, N.J. (October 13, 2011) – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced Tuesday the unveiling of plans for the development of a 1,600-plus square foot Junior Golf Learning Center at Essex County Weequahic Park Golf Course, allowing the First Tee of Essex County to provide year-round instruction.

The new center, scheduled to open in spring 2012, will feature a computer lab and classroom space for group learning and presentations. Students will also be able to receive after-school tutoring and golf instruction through the center's youth development curriculum. First Tee is expected to double the number of programs it offers, while expanding some into full-year courses thanks to the new space. Len Wilf and Kevin Ryan, two Trustees of The First Tee program, have each provided significant support allowing this capital project to go forward, as well as funding for expanded programs once the addition is complete. To learn more, view the full article on SouthWardPatch.

The First Tee of Essex County is a subset of the First Tee of Metropolitan New York, and part of a national golf initiative to create affordable and accessible golf facilities and bring First Tee programming to young people from all backgrounds. The First Tee of Metropolitan New York was created in 2001 as a joint venture between the MGA Foundation and Metropolitan Section of the PGA and was the first of what are now six junior training facilities and fourteen affiliate sites under the First Tee of Metropolitan New York umbrella.

For more information, visit the First Tee of Metropolitan New York.