Far Hills, N.J. – The United States Golf Association announced that it awarded $1,358,850 at its April grant distribution meeting to support the development of 86 golf programs through its “For the Good of the Game” Grants Initiative.
Since 1997, the USGA has allocated more than $65 million toward this unique initiative, opening opportunities through the game of golf to underserved youth, girls, and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Grants Initiative empowers programs to make golf more affordable and accessible for its participants by funding essential aspects of the game, including professional instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation and alternative golf facilities.
“The USGA is very pleased to support many young people and individuals with disabilities as they seek to play golf and experience the many values inherent in the game,” said USGA President Jim Vernon. “It is inspiring to see so many non-profit organizations around the country utilizing the game to fulfill their missions.”
A founding partner of The First Tee, the USGA continues to be the largest financial supporter of this organization. Thus far in 2009, the USGA has distributed $505,000 in grant funding among 37 chapters of The First Tee, bringing total USGA support of the national junior golf organization to more than $25.5 million since its inception in 1997.
Three USGA corporate partners contributed to these USGA charitable efforts. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group made possible a USGA grant to further the development of LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, which comprises nearly 200 sites nationwide. In 2009, Girls Golf celebrates its 20th anniversary of making the game more accessible to young women. American Express provided assistance with 13 grants benefiting youth and individuals with disabilities made in the three 2009 U.S. Open markets. Lexus supported a USGA grant to the National Alliance for Youth Sports to help fund various Hook A Kid On Golf clinics and other activities. The clinics serve as a gateway for juniors to participate in the game and develop into avid players.
The USGA believes golf is a game for all, regardless of ability. This ideal, rooted in the purpose of the USGA Grants Initiative, was demonstrated once again at the April meeting. Nearly one-fifth of the grant awards will support the development of programs for individuals with disabilities. Accessible golf program highlights include:
Ohio Junior Golf Association (Norwalk, Ohio)
The Ohio Junior Golf Association, which operates The First Tee of Lake Erie, will use the program GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) to introduce golf to individuals with disabilities. With the help of a $12,500 USGA programming grant, the organization intends to provide an enhanced life-skill and golf curriculum to these participants to fully immerse them in the game.
Bergenfield Public School District (Bergenfield, N.J.)
Bergenfield Public School District (BPSD) serves autistic children through its Not Far From Par golf program. The program uses golf as a tool to teach social, educational, and life skills to participants. The program will allocate its $11,000 USGA programming grant to expand its reach to 40 kids in 2009. As a result of the success of the program, Dr. Michael Kuchar, superintendent of BPSD, received state-wide recognition by receiving the Innovations in Special Education Award. This recognition has prompted other school districts in New Jersey to adopt the Not Far From Par model to serve autistic children.
The Therapeutic Center at Fox Chase (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Founded in 1971, The Therapeutic Center at Fox Chase is a residential treatment program for young males with substance abuse disorders and co-occurring mental health issues. It serves nearly 40 males per year and provides integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment services to encourage boys to stay sober and maintain healthy relationships. As a part of a wellness initiative in physical and mental health, this organization, with the assistance of a $4,450 USGA programming grant, is starting its Growing Opportunities Lasting Futures (GOLF) program for 12 boys in 2009. In addition to a 12-week leadership course, boys will participate in programming to learn golf and life skills.
The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (Lake Forest, Ill.)
The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) was founded to introduce adaptive sports and recreation programs to individuals with physical or visual impairments. In 2000, GLASA implemented the Adaptive Golf Program to provide these individuals the opportunity to learn golf and its inherent values. Through the support of a $2,500 USGA programming grant, the organization projects to reach nearly 90 individuals in 2009.
USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History
The USGA works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, the USGA Grants Initiative has provided more than $65 million to more than 1,000 programs that serve economically disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. More than 2.2 million participants have benefited from these programs. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA operates several direct charitable activities and partners with national organizations to promote accessible facility development, affordable course access, opportunities for girls in golf, and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.
For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the USGA Grants and Fellowship Department at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Grants section of the USGA Web site, www.usga.org.
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world’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, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
Contact:
Dave Fanucchi (dfanucchi@usga.org)
Web Address: www.usga.org
USGA Phone: (908) 234-2300
