Youth golf program continues to grow in the Northeast
Essex County, NJ – TGA – Premier Junior Golf, one of the leading initiatives to grow the game of golf and the only national after-school enrichment junior golf program in the country, continues to grow and expand in the Northeast with its seventh franchise in the New Jersey/New York region. This new TGA territory, which covers Essex County in New Jersey, is owned and operated by business professionals Beth Tutty and Michael Riccardi.
“We are very excited to continue growing the game in the Northeast with two professionals, Beth and Michael,” said Joshua Jacobs, president and CEO of TGA – Premier Junior Golf. “Given Michael’s success with his first franchise in Morris County, NJ, together with Beth, I have no doubt they will develop successful programs that continue TGA’s mission to make golf accessible and affordable by bringing it directly to the Essex County area schools.”
Tutty, a native of New Jersey, comes to TGA from the financial services industry after creating Grow the Game, LLC, a female-majority owned company serving the golfing needs of all youths in Essex County, New Jersey. Tutty is very passionate about the game of golf and excited to bring TGA to the local youths in the area.
“Since I share a deep passion and love for the game of golf and working with kids, I felt TGA-Premier Junior Golf would be a hole-in-one opportunity to provide kids a means to learn the game and grow,” said Tutty. “To be able to introduce them to a game of a lifetime at an early age is very rewarding and will allow them grow both in and out of school. I am looking forward to working with Michael and making TGA of Essex County the premier junior golf program in the region.”
This is Michael Riccardi’s second franchise, who already runs over 30 programs in Morris County, New Jersey. Riccardi, a former teacher with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education, brings over 9-years of youth coaching experience to TGA. Riccardi is looking forward to creating even more opportunities for kids to learn the game and develop the life skills associated with it.
“I have been running programs in Morris County for the last year and a half and absolutely love what I do. When you see the kind of impact you have on these kids lives through this program you can’t help but want to offer it to as many kids and locations as you possibly can,” said Riccardi. “Starting TGA of Essex County with Beth will give more kids an opportunity to feel success and motivated to want to learn the values and skills that will help them achieve what they want in life.”
Tutty and Riccardi have already started programs at the Millburn Middle School in Milburn, New Jersey, as well as the 3 Athletic Center in Fairfield. They will also be developing programs in Livingston, Upper Montclair, Montclair, Roseland, Verona, and Cedar Grove, as well as some possible grant opportunities in Newark for schools that would otherwise not be able to afford TGA programs.
Jacobs is very optimistic about the continued growth in the Northeast and the potential for future growth in this market for TGA.
“The Northeast region continues to embrace TGA as the growth of the game leader. We are having significant impact on the schools while enriching the lives of students,” stated Jacobs. “However, there is still a lot of work to do to grow the game and impact communities through TGA. The opportunities with TGA for entrepreneurs and golf professionals, especially in and around the New York City and Long Island areas are abundant.”
About TGA – Premier Junior Golf
TGA – Premier Junior Golf is one of the country’s most unique and fastest growing recreational programs for kids and is rapidly becoming a golden franchise opportunity for self starters who enjoy working with children in a business venture that provides a unique entry into youth sports, education, and the golf industry.
TGA is the only national after school program that teaches the fundamentals of the game of golf, its rules, etiquette, and life values, while promoting education for kindergarten students through the eighth grade.
Since its inception in six Los Angeles schools in the fall of 2003, the premier junior golf program is now offered nationwide in 2,300 schools reaching 110,000 students from Kindergarten to 8th grade in 22 states. TGA breaks down the traditional barriers of inconvenience and high cost when golf is brought to children directly through their schools.
The TGA enrichment curriculum, developed by PhDs in child and curriculum development, along with PGA and LPGA golf professionals, is a unique five-level program designed for kids to advance from one level to the next while building self-esteem as well as confidence in terms of education, life skills and character development. The steps also include teaching fundamental math, science, English, and history associated with the program.
TGA is also 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.
For more information about TGA – Premier Junior Golf or to arrange an interview for a future story, please contact us below. Visit www.golftga.com.
Contact:
TGA of Essex County
Michael Riccardi
mriccardi@golftga.com
(201) 362-5325
Beth Tutty
btutty@golftga.com
(973) 722-3816
TGA – Premier Junior Golf
Joshua Jacobs – CEO
(310) 333-0622
joshua@golftga.com
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin Frisch
(989) 614-0241
kevin@fusionmediastrategies.com
