ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 5, 2012) - Calling all caddie hopefuls in the Met Area: Class is now in session. The Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation's annual Caddie Academies are currently taking place throughout April at nine Met Area clubs. First up was Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., where more than 85 youngsters attended the first 2012 Caddie Academy on Monday, April 2. The session began with a screening of the new Caddie Training Video produced by the Metropolitan chapter of the Caddie Masters Association, and proceeded with outdoor sessions on topics like the proper way to rake a bunker, attend a flagstick, and carry a golf bag.

The MGA and MGA Foundation have long been supportive of the benefits of caddying. Working as a caddie is a wonderful way for young people to gain exposure to the game and its traditions, and playing with a caddie benefits the golfer on many levels. The annual Caddie Academies have become one of the most popular parts of the MGA Foundation's Educational Series schedule.

Each free two-hour session teaches all attendees the ins and outs of basic caddying fundamentals and proper etiquette expected at Met Area courses. Participants who complete the academy receive a certificate and a list of Met Area caddie masters looking to employ caddies for the upcoming season, making the academies both informative and a source of potential employment.

The MGA expects more than 500 kids to attend the seminars, which are offered in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

Remaining Caddie Academy sites and dates are as follows:

• Thursday, April 12, Bonnie Briar Country Club, Larchmont, N.Y.
• Tuesday, April 17, Knickerbocker Country Club, Tenafly, N.J.
• Thursday, April 19, Hempstead Golf & Country Club, Hempstead, N.Y.
• Monday, April 23, Fenway Golf Club, Scarsdale, N.Y.

All sessions run from 4-6 p.m. For more information, contact Brian Farrelly at bfarrelly@mgagolf.org or (914)347-4653 Ex. 301.