ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 1, 2010) - USGA Awards Grants to MGA Foundation

The USGA has awarded the MGA Foundation three program grants for 2010 to help support The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. A total of $35,000 will be used to help with the cost of golf instruction, golf course and driving range access and transportation for participants. Since 1996, the USGA has provided nearly $1,000,000 in support of the many programs conducted by the MGA Foundation.

New Partnership with Harlem Golf Academy

Starting this year, the MGA Foundation and The First Tee of Metropolitan New York will partner with the Harlem Golf Academy to provide First Tee golf and life skill experiences to young people in Harlem. The Harlem Golf Academy currently operates out of the 143rd street armory and will be reaching out to youngsters with little or no past involvement with the game of golf. The MGA Foundation has been awarded a USGA Program Grant for $15,000 to support this initiative.

Local Golf Teams Get Rules Training from MGA

Members of the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Woodlands High School in Hartsdale, N.Y., had the great opportunity to spend an afternoon at Golf Central, the MGA’s headquarters, for an intimate Rules of Golf lesson with MGA Tournament Director Brian Mahoney. The teens were accompanied by Coach Delzio of the boys’ team and Coach Rodriguez of the girls’ team.

Mahoney began the afternoon with an indoor presentation outlining basic golf Rules for the student-athletes. The tutorial will help the teens when they are faced with enforcing proper penalty and relief procedures in their competitions this spring. The students were very eager to have their questions answered as they prepare for the kickoff to their season. The teams were then taken next door to Knollwood Country Club for an on-course demonstration, where Mahoney reproduced these scenarios in live action, including bunker situations, embedded ball options and relief when dealing with a water hazard.

2010 Caddie Academies

Eight MGA member clubs are set to host 2010 Caddie Academies this spring, and the MGA is currently fielding requests for these popular events. Caddie Academies provide individuals with the opportunity to learn the basics needed to work as a caddie, one of the most integral employment opportunities in Met Area golf. With over 400 participants in 2009, Caddie Academies are one of the many successful programs conducted during the season by the MGA Foundation. These instructional academies are conducted by members of the MGA staff with the help of local caddie masters and golf professionals who volunteer their time.

Caddie Academies, begun in 1995, consist of one-day, after-school programs at participating MGA member clubs. They are open to all Met Area young men and women, are free of charge, and all participants receive certificates of completion which assist the youngsters in obtaining employment at area golf clubs. The afternoon sessions include classroom instruction followed by on-course training that focuses on proper golf and caddie technique and etiquette on the tees, fairways, and green complexes.

 

For more information or to sign up, please contact Brian Farrelly (bfarrelly@mgagolf.org) at the MGA office, 914-347-4653.

 

April 5 – Westchester Country Club, Harrison, N.Y.

April 6 – Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.

April 7 – Rockrimmon Country Club, Stamford, Conn.

April 12 – Spring Brook Country Club, Morristown, N.J.

April 13 – Nassau Country Club, Glen Cove, N.Y.

April 15 – Hempstead Golf & Country Club, Hempstead, N.Y.

April 19 – Fenway Golf Club, Scarsdale, N.Y.

April 20 – Bonnie Briar Country Club, Larchmont, N.Y.