Foundation will help provide programs for under resourced schools and students
El Segundo, CA -With a mission to provide all American youth with the opportunity to learn the game of golf in a fun and educational environment, TGA Premier Junior Golf (TGA) announces it has formed The 501c3 TGA Golf Foundation to develop grant funded programs for under resourced schools and not leave any students behind.
TGA is the largest national after school program that teaches the fundamentals of the game of golf, its rules, etiquette, and life values, while promoting education for kindergarten through eighth grade students. Since its inception in six Los Angeles schools in the fall of 2003, the premier junior golf program is now offered nationwide in 2,100 schools reaching over 90,000 students from kindergarten to 8th grade in 21 states.
“By developing the TGA Golf Foundation, it opens doors to engage all demographics of kids, therefore not leaving anyone behind who want to participate,” said TGA founder, president and chief executive officer, Joshua Jacobs. “We want to embrace as many kids as we can while providing a component for kid’s education after school that benefits everyone.”
The foundation will allow TGA and its more than 45 franchises nationwide to apply for grants and funding for under resourced schools and kids who otherwise would not be able to participate in the programs. This includes golf association grants, school/district funding, state funding, corporate sponsors, as well as grants through local YMCA’s.
School systems with TGA programs across the country are already benefiting from the grant programs.
Foster Elementary School in the Compton Unified School District in Los Angeles, a Title I federally and state funded school system, received a TGA grant which helped develop one of the only synthetic putting greens on an elementary school campus across the country. The Compton district is nationally known for being one of the most challenged school systems when it comes to students at risk or living at or near poverty. By receiving the grant funding, no student at Foster will have to pay for any class, and students will benefit during the at-risk after school hours from year round golf enrichment programs that TGA will provide.
Other TGA programs that have benefited from receiving grant funding include the Galatas Elementary School in The Woodlands Texas, which benefited from a TGA sponsor to create “Golf Week at Galatas,” a special one-week youth golf program reaching all 759 students.
In addition, the Calais School, a private, non-profit school that for more than 36 years has served students with learning disabilities in Morris County, New Jersey, has benefited from a TGA grant by providing programs for special needs students.
“We are excited about the development of our foundation and opening the door of opportunity for young kids to grow and develop life skills through the game of golf,” said Jacobs. “We look forward to developing similar models to the Compton, Galatus, and Calais Schools around the country through our ability to secure funding and reach out to under resourced school systems and at risk kids.”
About TGA-Premier Junior Golf
TGA-Premier Junior Golf, formally Total Golf Adventures, was founded in 2003 with a mission of providing K-8th grade students with access to the game of golf through its national at-school and after-school Golf Enrichment Program. TGA has put more than 90,000 students through its program. There are TGA programs in 21 states across the country with more than 2,100 schools participating.
TGA breaks down the traditional barriers of inconvenience and high cost when golf is brought to children through their schools. The unique five-level Golf Enrichment Program, developed by PGA and LPGA golf professionals in coordination with top PhD’s in education and curriculum development, teaches the fundamentals, rules, and etiquette of golf. It also promotes education and golf’s life values through its character development initiative, “Play the Fair Way with TGA.”
TGA is endorsed and named as the official junior golf initiative by the National High School Golf Coaches Association (NHSGCA). It is a national supporting organization of the After School Alliance and Lights on After School, a corporate advocate and a partner of the President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness. TGA is also approved by the United States Golf Association USGA) under the Rules of Amateur Status. Visit www.golftga.com.
Contact:
TGA – Premier Junior Golf
Joshua Jacobs – CEO
(310) 333-0622
joshua@golftga.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
