Colorado Springs, Colo. – In its most recent cycle of grant awards, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has awarded 31 additional grants to non-profit organizations to support affordable and accessible golf programs and facilities. The new grants, totaling $739,330, cover programs that will reach more than 18,000 kids and individuals with disabilities in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
In combined quarterly announcements for 2005, the USGA awarded 180 grants and more than $4.4 million to organizations whose joint mission is to use golf as a vehicle for personal development. Over the past year, USGA-supported programs have touched the lives of more than 149,000 participants.
One new recipient is The First Tee chapter in Carville, La., a unique program that received two grants totaling $18,500 for the construction of an on-site driving range and associated equipment for its youth golf program. The program is different because it is housed at the Gillis W. Long Center, the full-time home for a job corps program for at-risk teens. Some 425 "cadets" live at the 360-acre Center, where educational opportunities and job programs are blended together. Some of the cadets will assist with the construction of the driving range.
"We plan on using the money to provide an irrigation system for the driving range at our home facility," said Donnie Crocker, executive director of The First Tee of Carville. "We are excited about our program, which has the potential to give participants a life-long career and an opportunity for personal growth through golf. The USGA has been great to work with and very helpful."
Another funded program was the East Lake Community Foundation of Atlanta, Ga., where the USGA awarded a three-year $120,000 grant for the continued development of its junior golf programs at The First Tee of East Lake, where 800 kids utilize the Charlie Yates Golf Course. The credo of the program is, "Golf with a purpose."
The East Lake Community Foundation has worked to help revitalize the once impoverished neighborhood of East Lake. The community now includes affordable public housing units, the Drew Charter School that serves grades K-8 and a YMCA. As East Lake continues to develop, more businesses are moving in and residential improvement projects are springing up.
"Golf has been and continues to be an integral part of the East Lake community. It has not only helped revitalize this community, but is used as a vehicle for mentoring neighborhood children," said Carol Naughton, executive director of the East Lake Community Foundation. "We are pleased to continue our partnership with the USGA to help young golfers develop into well-educated, well-rounded productive citizens."
In addition to monetary support, the USGA also has developed other resources to help these golf programs, such as a communications guide to help the programs spread their message and gain even more support. The USGA also hosts an annual conference where "local champions" can share ideas and exchange information with other program directors.
The USGA has awarded more than $45-million over the past eight years to support golf instruction, equipment, course and range access, and course construction costs.
"The values that are inherent to the game of golf are transferable to areas of personal development that reach far beyond the golf course," said USGA President Fred Ridley. "We are excited to lend our support to those programs that continue to not only develop the future generation of golfers, but to ensure a future full of local leaders and active community members."
A complete list of programs receiving funding across the country includes:
Organization Name City, State Grant Amount
Huntsville Metropolitan Youth Golf Foundation Meridianville, Ala. $17,500
Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Alabama Inc. Ozark, Ala. $15,000
Southern Arizona Junior Golf Association Tucson, Ariz. $3,120
Executives Fore Kids Compton, Calif. $30,000
Del Rio CC Foundation Modesto, Calif. $12,000
Sacramento Area Youth Golf Association Sacramento, Calif. $82,000
Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, Calif. $4,000
Boys & Girls Club of Southwest County Temecula, Calif. $3,000
City of New Britain Parks and Recreation Department New Britain, Conn. $25,000
Langston Jr. Boys & Girls Golf Club Washington, D.C. $8,000
The First Tee of St. Johns County Elkton, Fla. $8,460
United Congregations for Communities & Youth Develop. Corp. Jacksonville, Fla. $12,500
Boys and Girls Club of Miami, Inc. Miami, Fla. $7,000
East Lake Community Foundation, Inc. Atlanta, Ga. $120,000
Gateway Junior Golf Association Edwardsville, Ill. $40,000
Damar Services Inc. Indianapolis, Ind. $4,500
Youth Golf Coalition Louisville, Ky. $30,000
Bay Hills Recreation Park, Inc Cottonport, La. $62,500
The First Tee of Carville Point Clair, La. $7,500
The First Tee of Carville Point Clair, La. $11,000
The ARC of Atlantic County, Inc. Egg Harbor, N.J. $6,600
Junior Metro Golf, Inc. Lawrenceville, N.J. $17,500
Jersey Shore Junior Golf, Inc. Manasquan, N.J. $22,000
Heart of Variety Fund Philadelphia, Pa. $20,000
Clarence Clay Junior Golf Foundation Arlington, Texas $25,000
North Texas Junior Golf and Education Foundation Dallas, Texas $18,000
San Antonio Golf Association Inc San Antonio, Texas $25,000
City of San Antonio – Parks and Recreation Department San Antonio, Texas $27,450
American Junior Golf Fellowship The Colony, Texas $23,000
Metro Parks Foundation Tacoma, Wash. $6,700
Appleton Area School District Appleton, Wis. $45,000
USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History
The United States Golf Association works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, the grants initiative has traditionally focused on programming for economically disadvantaged kids and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Executive Committee has extended this grants initiative to the end of the decade, bringing total anticipated USGA support to $65 million to provide financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility development, course access, girls’ golf, and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.
For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants Section of the USGA Web site at www.usga.org.
Contact:
http://www.usga.org
mediarelations@usga.org
