May 6, 2009 — Four students from The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (TFTMNY) were named as ambassadors to the Alliance Youth Network, a branch of America’s Promise Alliance. The students ― Andre Dews, Stephen Fetko, Sumit Khetan, and Joe Lee ― were chosen for their leadership skills and their stated goal to promote learning in their communities.

The First Tee, based in Saint Augustine, Fla., is a partner of America’s Promise Alliance, which is made up of several charitable organizations and nonprofit groups that aim to promote the well-being of at-risk youth around the country. The alliance was founded by former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Alliance Youth Network will be comprised of more than 150 youth ambassadors who will work with these organizations and groups to spread leadership skills to underprivileged communities. After an orientation in Washington, D.C., the four FTMNY students will take their leadership skills back to their communities in the Met Area to help young people take initiative in their own lives and focus on gaining higher education. The MGA and MGA Foundation congratulate these four individuals on their selection to this prestigious panel of outstanding youth ambassadors.

About The First Tee of Metropolitan New York

The First Tee of Metropolitan New York was created in 2001 as a joint venture between the MGA Foundation and the Metropolitan Section of the PGA to create affordable and accessible golf facilities and bring First Tee programming to young people of all backgrounds throughout the New York metropolitan area. TFTMNY serves as the local chapter in the New York metropolitan area. Facilities include The First Tee of Essex County (Newark, N.J.), The First Tee of Nassau County (Eisenhower Park), The Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, The First Tee at Fairchild-Wheeler (Bridgeport, Conn.), and the main chapter location at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx. With these five sites, the MGA Foundation and the Met PGA have now expanded their partnership network to include the New Jersey PGA and the New Jersey State Golf Association and The First Tee of Connecticut in Fairfield County.