ELMSFORD, N.Y. (August 31, 2015) -Thomas Duda, third year GOLFWORKS intern at The First Tee of Plainfield West 9, has been afforded opportunities via his internship to work at some of the Nation’s premier sports venues. Just a few weeks ago, Thomas assisted with the third installment of this summer’s MGA/MetLife youth clinics held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., where participants were able to chip and putt on the famed field that played host to Super Bowl XLVIII. Thomas says, “I’m a football guy, and I watch Jets and Giants games. I’ve never set foot on the field though, and to be able to teach kids golf on the football field is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Last week, Thomas served as a volunteer at The Barclays at Plainfield Country Club. These experiences, Thomas explains, would not be possible without the MGA Foundation’s GOLFWORKS internship program and The First Tee.

Thomas began participating in golf lessons at The First Tee at Plainfield West  when he was 13 years old and immediately began volunteering. Two years later, Thomas was offered a GOLFWORKS internship and has returned every summer since. His responsibilities include teaching small groups of campers about the game of golf, rules, safety, and ensuring that they all enjoy their time at camp. When asked about his internship experience, Thomas explains, “I feel like I’ve been able to be a contributing member of society and help in bettering the next generation of golfers.”

An avid golfer himself, Thomas is headed to Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts this fall. He plans to join the club golf team in the spring and would like to major in Biology with hopes of becoming a cancer researcher. During his first summer as a GOLFWORKS intern, Thomas attended a medical forum where he was introduced to the field and learned about various diseases. He hopes to one day provide cures for major illnesses.

Since its founding in 1991, the MGA Foundation has impacted thousands of young people through caddie academies, GOLFWORKS, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and junior competitions. Educational programs for clubs and a library and archives center at Golf Central help fulfill our mission to help preserve the game's past and protect its future.

For more than 30 years, the MGA and MetLife have partnered to provide the highest level of golf services the Metropolitan area demands.  MetLife’s support of the MGA Foundation and the GOLFWORKS program is a testament to the company’s longstanding mission of giving back, and allows the MGA Foundation to continue instilling the values and traditions of golf in the next generation of golfers.