Colorado Springs, Colo. – The United States Golf Association, which pledged 10 years ago to contribute $50 million to organizations that bring golf to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play, has topped that goal.
With a fresh round of grants approved by the USGA Executive Committee, the Association has now awarded more than $52 million to golf programs for individuals with disabilities, junior golf programs, caddie programs, and the construction of junior-friendly facilities as part of its "For the Good of the Game" Grants Initiative. Since the Initiative began in 1997, the Association has helped to bring the game and its values to more than 1.25 million people nationwide.
In its most recent cycle of grant awards, the USGA awarded 113 grants to non-profit organizations to support affordable and accessible golf programs and facilities. The new grants, totaling $2,287,775, cover programs that will reach more than 55,000 youth and individuals with disabilities in 39 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Among the most recent junior golf program recipients is the Midnight Golf Program of Detroit, Mich. Founder Renee Fluker started the program to keep young adults engaged in positive activities and off the street during the evening hours. Midnight Golf uses a combination of golf instruction, life and career skills development, and mentoring to provide participants with the resources necessary to attend college. Participants benefit from a college tour, SAT/ACT prep classes, college application assistance and job training. This unique 30-week golf program reaches approximately 90 economically disadvantaged minority teenagers each year.
"The kids of Detroit really need someone to care about them. This program is about saving lives," said Fluker. "We really appreciate USGA funding because it is going to help us grow."
Also among the recent programs funded by the USGA is a caddie program operated by the Minnesota Minority Junior Golf Association (MMJGA). The MMJGA serves inner-city youths from the Twin Cities area, using the game of golf and the experience as a caddie to teach important life lessons. Fifty teens will make a two-year commitment to the caddie program. They will have the opportunity to earn free rounds of golf and an income based on caddie performance, maintaining good grades, and demonstrating good character. This grant is the first USGA award the MMJGA has received and it will help the program to offer more opportunities for its participants.
"This is a unique way to keep kids interested in the game," said Michael Hinton, Executive Director of the MMJGA. "It is a way to reintroduce the lost art of caddying to public facilities and generate amazing transformation in the lives of children."
In following its mission to support the construction of junior friendly golf facilities, the USGA made a $165,000 grant to The First Tee of Memphis (TFTM). The mission of TFTM is to ensure that participants have a positive experience that can lead to academic performance, personal integrity, and athletic accomplishments. Over the last three years, TFTM has converted an old military depot into a junior-friendly course with a state of the art learning facility including an eBay store, club repair room, USGA Rules of Golf room, and an indoor swing facility. The program will use $65,000 of the award to continue to support its junior golf program. The remaining USGA funds will support the construction of a nine-hole golf course on the old Firestone plant property. This golf course and practice facility will be a centerpiece for the revitalization of the New Chicago community in the heart of Memphis and be a secondary site for The First Tee of Memphis. The organization plans to reach 900 participants upon opening the second site in 2008. Executive Director Vince Alfonso shared his excitement for this project and the partnership with the USGA: "Children need the opportunity to play on the golf course, and the partnership with the USGA is a swing in the right direction for all of our kids."
Recent USGA funding will also support programs that seek to introduce the game to individuals with disabilities. One such program is the Special Education Department of the Scottsdale Unified School District. Through USGA support, the school district will be implementing a junior golf program for its special needs students. The program will give students with a variety of disabilities, including autism, Down’s syndrome, and mild retardation, a sense of independence and accomplishment while helping them to participate in the activities enjoyed by their able-bodied peers.
"USGA support will allow our special needs students the opportunity to take part in a game they would have never been able to play otherwise," said Program Director Pam Evans. "We are very excited and grateful."
For a complete list of this round of grants, please visit http://www.usga.org/news/2006/June/2006_46.html
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 other 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:
Pete Kowalski
USGA Media Relations
pkowalski@usga.org
cell: 908-216-8435
