Bronx, NY - CBS Sports Commentator Jim Nantz and The First Tee Executive Director Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., today joined New York City officials for

the grand opening of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York at Mosholu Golf Course.

 

The project is a joint initiative of The First Tee, the City of New York/Parks and Recreation, the Metropolitan PGA Section and the

Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation.

 

Nantz served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. presented a proclamation from Mayor Bloomberg

and the City of New York proclaiming June 5, 2002 The First Tee Day throughout New York City.

 

Mosholu Golf Course is an existing nine-hole public facility that is part of the New York City Parks system.  It is uniquely located in the heart of

the Bronx, just steps away from the # 4 subway line and easily accessible by bus or car.  The facility includes a large double-sided practice

facility that has been renovated to include a state-of-the-art youth golf training center featuring TourTurf synthetic practice greens, bunkers,

driving range and par-3 golf holes, all dedicated to kids.

 

The Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation and Met PGA have coordinated much of the work done on the course and range, with significant support

from the local golf course superintendents and local golf community.  The project also has benefited from generous grants from The Hearst Foundation,

the USGA Foundation and Nike's "Reuse-A-Shoe" Program. Additionally, Barrow announced, on behalf of PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, that

the PGA TOUR's Buick Classic, held in nearby Westchester County, would be making a $125,000 annual contribution to the facility beginning in 2003.

 

Also announced during the ceremony was the opening of the Lew Rudin Youth Golf Center at Mosholu. The center is a tribute to the late New York City

real estate magnate who provided the financial and political support that assisted in bringing The First Tee of Metropolitan New York to the young

people of New York City.

 

"A great deal of gratitude is owed to the City of New York, the Met PGA Section, the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, The First Tee of

Metropolitan New York President Howard Druckman and to the late Lew Rudin and the entire Rudin family who helped facilitate completion of this

facility," said Barrow. "The First Tee is fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals who are involved with their communities and

interested in providing opportunities for area children. The First Tee offers young people so much more than just the opportunity to learn and

play the game of golf, it also helps them grow as individuals through the Life Skills experience, which is a key component of the program."

 

Mosholu Golf Course has operated as a public golf course since 1914 and will continue to be open to the public.

 

The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation initiative dedicated to providing affordable golf access for everyone, especially kids, who otherwise might

not have an opportunity to play.

 

Celebrating its fifth year of operation, The First Tee currently has 87 golf learning facilities open and operating across North America that are

dedicated to impacting the lives of young people.

 

The World Golf Foundation, which is supported by all of the major international golf organizations and professional tours, oversees the World

Golf Hall of Fame and other nonprofit components of World Golf Village near St. Augustine, FL.

 

As sole founding partner of World Golf Village, Shell Oil Company provides financial support to the World Golf Foundation and supports its charitable

initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, thereby promoting scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the

game of golf.