NEW YORK, July 18, 2012 – The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (TFTMNY) and Nassau County are joining forces to host The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy, July 25-31, on Long Island.
The First Tee – a youth organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people – has selected 96 of the top participants from across the nation to attend this year’s Academy, designed to promote character and leadership development by combining golf with life-skills activities and career exploration. With lodging accommodations at residence halls at Hofstra University, the participants also will be exposed to life on a college campus and have the opportunity to meet other students.
The Academy experience begins with golf on Thursday, July 26 at the acclaimed Eisenhower Park Golf Course, one of six facilities of TFTMNY and home to The First Tee of Nassau County. This marks the first time The First Tee has used a public county golf course for its Academy, with Nassau County providing access to participants throughout the week on the facility’s Red and Blue courses, as well as on the Christopher Morley executive nine-hole course. A tournament will be held Sunday morning, July 29 on the Red Course.
“We are indebted to the Nassau County government for its generosity and hospitality in welcoming the Academy to the county,” said Barry McLaughlin, TFTMNY executive director. “Our Chapter is extremely honored to host this wonderful event, which will help shape the outstanding First Tee participants into the leaders of tomorrow.”
McLaughlin added that members of the Nassau County community also have thrown their support behind the Academy, and many will be donating their time as volunteers during the week.
Academy participants also will be treated to a series of non-golf outings, including visits to the Nassau County Firefighters Museum & Education Museum, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Nickerson Beach Park, and a boat cruise around New York City. To culminate the week on Monday, July 30, the participants will play a round of golf at the prestigious Village Club of Sands Point, located at the former Guggenheim Estate.
Three participants from the TFTMNY Chapter have been selected to attend the Academy: Sarah Gander, Fairfield, Conn. (The First Tee at Fairchild Wheeler); Jacob Cutler, Bellmore, N.Y. (The First Tee of Nassau County); and Brian Carty, Jamaica, N.Y. (The First Tee of Nassau County).
“I’m really excited about the Academy because I will be meeting new people I probably wouldn’t otherwise have met,” said Gander, 15, who will enter her sophomore year at Fairfield High School in the fall. “I love meeting new people, making new connections and working on my golf game – that’s a big priority. I’m not really a sports person, so it’s nice to know I’m good at something. And the First Tee is a great experience – it gives you a new outlook on life, how you should live it, how to respect others, and all around a fun activity like golf.”
In addition to the three hosting organizations, Academy sponsors include Tomi Otee, an environmentally friendly golf apparel manufacturer who will be donating shirts for each participant; Poland Spring Water; and Whole Foods of Manhasset, N.Y.
For more information about The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, call (718) 655-9164 or visit www.TheFirstTeeMETNY.org.
About The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (www.thefirstteemetny.org) Chapter was founded in 2001 at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx, and now includes five additional Facilities at Eisenhower Park G.C., Fairchild Wheeler G.C., Plainfield West 9, Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, and Weequahic Park G.C. The Chapter was formed through a partnership that includes the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, the Met Section PGA and the Rudin Family, to teach young people that have traditionally been denied access to the game, valuable Life Skills and Nine Core Values through the game of golf. The Chapter serves over 4,000 participants each year through its unique curriculum developed by top educators.
About The First Tee of Nassau County
The First Tee of Nassau County (www.thefirstteemetny.org/nassau) was founded in 2005, becoming the second official Facility of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. Since that time, the program in Nassau County has become one of the largest and most successful Facilities in the United States, serving over 1,500 young people each year and dozens of community groups. Under the leadership of Program Director, Mike Wade, PGA, The First Tee programs in Nassau County continue to grow, and future plans include further utilization of the Facility at Eisenhower Park, as well as expansion into other courses owned and operated by Nassau County Parks.
About The First Tee
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools and on military installations.
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 6.5 million young people in all 50 United States and six international locations. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and its Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.
About TOMI OTEE
Since 2011, TOMI OTEE (www.tomiotee.com) has pioneered a golf lifestyle by the way it connects its consumers with their passion in terms of fashion, of responsibility and of community engagement. The TOMI OTEE signature design integrates a golf function as a fashion statement and uses fabrics that celebrate the environment while providing high end breathability and moisture wicking capabilities. TOMI OTEE also provides direct support to communities through US-wide charity partnerships and is currently available for sale US wide and in Korea.
Contact:
Rachel Newman
Director of Communications & Special Events
rnewman@thefirstteemetny.org
(718) 655-9164, ext. 113
Karen Moraghan
Hunter Public Relations
kmoraghan@hunter-pr.com
(908) 876-5100
