ELMSFORD, N.Y. (July 28, 2009) — The 2009 U.S. Open Championship at Bethpage Black will always be remembered as a week of surprises, rain, and mud, but for a group of volunteers and The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, the week meant so much more. Through a partnership with Prom Catering, a Minnesota-based catering company responsible for concessions, volunteers gave of their time in return for a donation to The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. The First Tee of Met N.Y. was able to fill 486 shifts which totaled a donation of $25,000

In this difficult time, The First Tee is always looking for new and innovative ways to raise funds. Prom Catering offered the perfect opportunity for The First Tee of Met N.Y. to do this. Prom Catering donated funds in return for the work the volunteers performed. In addition to helping The First Tee, the volunteers also gained access to the U.S. Open, one of the hottest tickets in town.

Golf enthusiasts, as well as participants from our program, their families, and supporters of our program, were eager to help in this effort to give back to The First Tee of Met N.Y. More than 350 volunteers committed to help and filled 486 shifts; quite an accomplishment given the rainy weather. The volunteers came from the Met Area, but also as far away as Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and Switzerland to help with this event. It was hard work, but it was a time that will never be forgotten.

“The work was not what I am accustomed to, however, spending the day with my son at the U.S.

Open made for a memorable Fathers’ Day, and one I will always cherish,” said Frank Sampogna,

father of a particpant in our program.

For more information on The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, please contact Jeanne McCooey (jmccooey@mgagolf.org) or Lou Cutolo (lcutolo@mgagolf.org) at 914-347-4653.