NEWARK, N.J. (August 3, 2006) - The MGA Foundation, New Jersey PGA, and the New Jersey State Golf Association joined Essex County at the Grand Opening of The First Tee of Essex County at Weequahic Park on Thursday, August 3rd. This unique youth golf learning facility situated in the heart of Newark, New Jersey, is a joint venture of the three organizations and will mark the fifth First Tee site opened in the Metropolitan Area since 2002. 

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, ESPN's Dave Sims, along with representatives from The First Tee, New Jersey PGA, NJSGA, MGA and USGA were on hand to officially mark the opening.  The center will include a 3-hole short course, a practice area with three synthetic putting greens and a practice range, all created out of a former undeveloped, unsightly piece of land. It is conveniently located adjacent to Weequahic Park Golf Course, an 18-hole public facility operated by Essex County Parks.

“The transformation of this site is nothing short of miraculous,” noted MGA Executive Director Jay Mottola. “With largely donated goods and services, we now have a spectacular youth teaching center and practice facility that will impact thousands of young people each year.” 

Scott Kmiec, Executive Director of the NJPGA, added that “The support from the golf community, Essex County, Morris Associates (who did the construction), and golf course architect Stephen Kay, among others, has been outstanding. With so many groups donating services, labor and goods we were able to put this important project on a fast track to completion.”

“Without these efforts, and without the financial support we received from the USGA, the national First Tee and individual donors, we could have been years away from raising the funds necessary to complete this important project. It’s a great testament to the spirit of the golf community in Essex County and to the City of Newark,” noted former NJSGA President Jeff Liebler.

First Tee programming, which includes Life Skills training and an emphasis on nine Core Values, will begin immediately at Weequahic Park. The facility will be the new home “course” for two existing golf groups – Renaissance Junior Golf and Newark Youth Golf - who have worked for many years to bring the game of golf and its values to the city’s youth. In addition, when junior golfers are ready to play, they will be able to play the Weequahic Park golf course, during off-peak hours, for no charge. Weequahic Park is an 18 hole public course that is part of the Essex County Parks system.

The First Tee of Essex County at Weequahic Park joins the growing family of First Tee sites that are part of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, which includes Mosholu Golf Course in The Bronx (The First Tee of Metropolitan New York), Eisenhower Park on Long Island (The First Tee of Nassau County), The First Tee at Fairchild Wheeler GC (Bridgeport, CT) and Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.  As with The First Tee of Essex County, the MGA Foundation has partnered with other regional associations at these sites (The Metropolitan PGA, The First Tee of Connecticut) to provide affordable and accessible exposure to the game, its traditions and its values to a new generation of golfers.

 

For more information, please contact Jeanne McCooey or Jay Mottola at 914-347-4653 orjmccooey@mgagolf.org.