Colorado Springs, Colo. -The United States Golf Association (USGA) has awarded 45 new grants for the final quarter of 2007, totaling $870,176, to support golf programs across the nation for economically disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. The grant funds, part of the USGA’s $5-million total commitment for 2007, will be used for instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation and the construction of accessible golf facilities.
The USGA has awarded more than $58 million since the Association implemented its “For the Good of the Game” grants initiative in 1997.
The USGA awarded a large percentage of this round of funds to support the construction of short courses, driving ranges and practice areas for juniors and individuals with disabilities. These alternative facilities are often the only accessible practice facilities for program participants.
“Affordable and accessible golf facilities are a crucial component of the grants initiative,” said USGA President Walter W. Driver Jr. “Without these facilities, junior golf programs and golf programs for individuals with disabilities might be unable to fulfill the mission of the USGA grants program of making golf affordable and accessible to everyone who wishes to play. These grants impact every individual participant, program and community.”
Among the larger grants are $100,000 to the YMCA of Pueblo, Colorado, $75,000 to The Connecticut Golf Foundation in Rocky Hill,Conn., $47,500 to the North Kohala Community Resource Center in Hawi, Hawaii, and $34,000 to Eliada Homes, Inc., in Asheville,N.C.
The grants cover 27 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. North Carolina received four grants. Two of the non-traditional programs rewarded were “Every Woman’s Place” in Muskegon, Mich., which received an $18,000 grant, and the St. Croix Junior Golf Association, which received a $17,500 grant.
USGA-SUPPORTED PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Connecticut Golf Foundation – Rocky Hill, Conn.
A USGA grant of $75,000 will assist in the construction of a junior practice facility for participants of The First Tee program in Rocky Hill, Conn. Designed by the PGA Tour staff, the facility will be built in conjunction with a state-of-the-art practice facility constructed at the TPC River Highlands. The project will include a four-hole short course, driving range and practice areas. The Connecticut Golf Foundation is also planning to build an on-site learning center in order to provide life skills and golf education year-round. The short course will be available only to The First Tee of Connecticut participants. Course and range access will cost juniors no more than $1.
Eliada Homes, Inc. – Asheville, N.C.
Eliada Homes, Inc., in Asheville, N.C., is an agency serving children through residential, foster care and day-care programs. Most children who are involved with Eliada have psychological and emotional challenges that stem from abusive situations. With the help of a $34,000 USGA grant, the organization plans to construct a driving range that will be used for therapeutic recreation for the students. The driving range will be the first golf-related activity undertaken by Eliada Homes, which previously has demonstrated success with therapeutic equestrian and motor bike programs.
North Kohala Community Resource Center – Hawi, Hawaii
The North Kohala Community Resource Center (NKCRC) in Hawi, Hawaii, was founded in 2002 as a non-profit organization to provide resources to volunteers who contribute time and talents to improve the community. The NKCRC operates the KamehamehaPark Golf Learning Center, which features a six-hole course and practice facility built with the help of a 2005 grant from the USGA. This new $47,500 grant will be used for the construction of an additional three holes, giving the participants the benefit of playing full nine-hole rounds. The majority of construction will be overseen by John Mauro, a local PGA professional. Mauro and other volunteers will donate their time free of charge to oversee the construction work, just as they did with the prior construction. Participants in the program come from economically disadvantaged families and receive course access free of charge.
YMCA of Pueblo, Colorado – Pueblo, Colo.
The YMCA of Pueblo, Colorado is in the midst of a $16-million capital campaign to construct a state-of-the-art YMCA Community Campus, which will include a 57,000 square-foot building and multiple sports fields. Now, with the aid of a $100,000 USGA grant, the YMCA of Pueblo will add a golf practice facility. That facility will include a driving range, putting green and chipping area for use by the participants of The First Tee of Pueblo. Many of the 350 children in the program come from rural settings and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The YMCA will be the central organization helping them learn to play golf.
List of programs receiving funding across the country organized alphabetically by state:
Organization Name City, State Grant Amount
Friends of Oakland Parks and Recreation
Martinez, Calif.
$22,500
Pro Kids Golf Academy, Inc.
San Diego, Calif.
40,000
Central Coast Junior Golf, Inc.
Summerland, Calif.
30,000
The First Tee of Denver
Denver, Colo.
25,000
YMCA of Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colo.
100,000
Wheeler Clinic, Inc.
Plainville, Conn.
15,000
The Connecticut Golf Foundation
Rocky Hill, Conn.
75,000
Future Masters, Inc.
Orlando, Fla.
20,000
Impact Youth Development Initiative, Inc.
Atlanta, Ga.
20,000
North Kohala Community Resource Center
Hawi, Hawaii
47,500
Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc.
Lihue, Hawaii
17,500
North Shore Junior Golf Association
Waialua, Hawaii
17,500
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Ill.
4,000
Round Lake Area Park District
Round Lake, Ill.
3,650
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital
Wheaton, Ill.
20,000
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Ind.
10,000
The Golf Foundation of Iowa
Urbandale, Iowa
20,000
Boys & Girls Club of Hutchinson/Kids After School, Inc.
Hutchinson, Kan.
2,000
Worcester Public Schools
Worcester, Mass.
5,900
City of Battle Creek
Battle Creek, Mich.
20,000
Every Woman’s Place
Muskegon, Mich.
18,000
Boys and Girls Club of Peshawbestown
Peshawbestown, Mich.
2,500
Kansas City Metro Junior Golf Club
Raytown, Mo.
15,000
Plentywood Golf Club
Plentywood, Mont.
1,200
Eliada Homes, Inc.
Asheville, N.C.
34,000
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Athletic League (PAL)
Charlotte, N.C.
8,000
TEAM Training Elite Athletes and Mentors
Raleigh, N.C.
25,000
Cleveland County Family YMCA Inc.
Shelby, N.C.
4,500
Golf Course Builders Association of America Foundation
Lincoln, Neb.
10,000
Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Omaha, Neb.
20,000
Lakota Golf Association
Rushville, Neb.
9,600
Atlantic City LPG Benefit Association
Northfield, N.J.
17,500
Nutley Board of Education
West Caldwell, N.J.
7,400
Santa Fe Indian School
Santa Fe, N.M.
2,350
The First Tee of Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
20,000
Kiamichi Opportunities, Inc.
Hugo, Okla.
7,000
Leisure Hour Junior Golf Club
Portland, Ore.
26,500
The First Tee of Susquehanna Valley
Millersville, Pa.
30,000
Imagine Foundation, Inc.
Brazoria, Texas
20,000
St. Croix Junior Golf Association
Christiansted, USVI
17,500
City of Norfolk
Norfolk, Va.
9,250
Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course
Lakewood, Wash.
35,626
Mountain View Middle School
Newman Lake, Wash.
4,000
Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, Inc.
Green Bay, Wis.
3,600
Monongalia County Society for Crippled Children and Adults
Morgantown, W.Va.
6,100
USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History
The United States Golf Association is working to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, its grants initiative has traditionally focused on programming for economically-disadvantaged children and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Executive Committee has committed to this grants initiative through at least 2013, which will bring the total anticipated USGA grants pool to $85 million in providing financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs. Beyond its grants initiative, the USGA is a partner 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.
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the game’s golfers and golf courses.
The Association’s most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, and maintains a Handicap System. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
Contact:
Craig Smith (csmith@usga.org)
Web address: www.usga.org
USGA phone: (908) 234-2300
