2011

February 23, 2011 – Bronx, N.Y., native Paul Spano, a participant in The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (TFTMNY), was named the first-ever recipient of The First Tee’s Outstanding Participant Award during The First Tee Biennial Network Meeting, held last week in San Antonio, Texas. The award was presented during a gala event in front of more than 600 chapter executive directors, program directors, coaches and volunteer board members from First Tee chapters around the country.

February 22, 2011 – In a change of policy from 2010, the USGA announced that the condition of competition regarding grooves will now apply to all qualifiers for the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. The condition, set forth by the USGA and added to the Rules of Golf in 2010, had previously applied only to sectional qualifying for all three Open championships.

February 11, 2011 - (Elmsford, N.Y.) With a little winter magic left, TaylorMade is planning to “white-out” New York City on February 15 as part of the launch of their new R11 and Burner SuperFast 2.0 drivers, which feature white clubheads. The company is building a driving range on East 54th Street between 3rd and Lexington avenues, and the street will be covered with manmade snow to enhance the white-out experience, which will run from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

February 2, 2011 - Elmsford, N.Y. For the third consecutive year, The Met Golfer was honored by the International Network of Golf (ING) with multiple awards for editorial excellence. At the ING’s 18th Media Awards, presented on January 27th at the PGA merchandise Show in Orlando, two writers won first place: Jimmy Roberts for his opinion piece “Winter of Discontent” (February/March 2010), and Scott Kramer for his equipment story entitled “The New Ball Game” (August/September 2010).

Elmsford, N.Y. – On Thursday, January 20, The First Tee of Metropolitan New York Young Benefactors hosted its 2011 Kickoff Event at Drive 495, a Manhattan golf and fitness center owned by 2010 MGA Jerry Courville Sr. Player of the Year Joe Saladino and his brother, Don.

January 12, 2011 – While the Met Area remains frozen in a winter wonderland, the best golfers in the world are teeing it up in Honolulu, Hawaii, this week for the first full-field event of the 2011 PGA Tour season. The Sony Open in Hawaii begins on Thursday, January 13 at Waialae Country Club, one of the most scenic and historic tracks on the PGA Tour. The field includes four players with Met Area ties, each of whom looks to begin 2011 on a high note and improve his standing on Tour.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. (April 1, 2010) - The USGA awarded the MGA Foundation three program grants for 2010 to help support The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. A total of $35,000 will be used to help with the cost of golf instruction, golf course and driving range access, and transportation for participants. Since 1996, the USGA has provided nearly $1,000,000 in support of the many programs conducted by the MGA Foundation.