PGA News
The Professional Golfers’ Association of America
100 Avenue of the Champions
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Tel: 561-624-8400
Fax: 561-624-8448
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jamie Carbone
March 13, 2007 561/624-8446
PGA GROWTH OF THE GAME GRANTS PROGRAM
RENEWS $228,516 IN GRANTS TO 35 PROGRAMS
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The eighth cycle of 35 PGA Growth of the Game grants totaling $228,516,
was awarded from The PGA of America’s Growth of the Game Grant program. Touching 19 states and involving juniors, inner-city young adults, college students, the physically challenged and veterans, the program highlights
The PGA of America’s commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.
These funds bring the total donation from The PGA Growth of the Game Grant program to more than
$4.8 million among a combined 447 grants since 2001.
The PGA Growth of the Game grants touch virtually every level of society and individuals of all abilities, including programs for U.S. troops and their families; the physically challenged, Latin Americans, seniors,
women, Golf in Schools, Police Athletic League, collegiate-based Golf: For Business and Life programs, and
junior programs.
“Now in its eighth cycle, The PGA’s Growth of the Game grants serve a wide spectrum of our society,” said
PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “This program continues to be an inspiration for PGA Professionals
in achieving an invaluable connection with many within their respective communities. These grants enable
PGA Professionals to maintain golf programs and add much to the enjoyment of a game that otherwise may not
have been possible for so many.”
The PGA Growth of the Game Grant program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA
of America through its PGA Foundation, which was established in 1954, as the Association’s charitable arm to provide resources and professional expertise to make golf more accessible to all segments of the population. The PGA Foundation receives donations from PGA members and apprentices, families of PGA members, philanthropists and individuals to further its philanthropic goals.
For more information on The PGA Growth of the Game grant program, and to learn about the PGA Legacy Society and PGA Planned Giving Program, visit www.pgafoundation.com or call (888) 532-6662.
The PGA of America is the world’s largest working sports organization, comprised of 28,000 men and women
golf Professionals who are the recognized experts in growing, teaching and managing the game of golf, while serving millions of people throughout its 41 PGA Sections nationwide. Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has enhanced its leadership position in a $62 billion-a-year industry by growing the game of golf through its premier
Page 2\Growth of the Game Grants – Eighth Cycle
spectator events, world-class education and training programs, significant philanthropic outreach initiatives and
award-winning golf promotions. Today's PGA Professional is the public's link to the game, serving an essential role
in the operation of golf facilities throughout the country.
-- Growth of The Game Grants Follow --
Eighth-Cycle Grant Recipients:
BAND OF ANGELS FOUNDATION GOLF CLINIC
Location: Rochester Hills, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: Randy Erskine
Program Director: Cynthia Kidder
Grant Amount: $5,800
The primary goal of The Band of Angels Foundation is to advocate for the education and employment of people with Down Syndrome. The Foundation is dedicated to providing educational and inspirational materials to new families as soon as possible after birth or adoption. Persons with Down Syndrome and autism are encouraged to participate in sports and recreation within the community. Academic scholarship programs are utilized to increase the Band of Angels clients’ opportunities for growth in his/her career.
BETSIE VALLEY – GOLF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Location: Thompsonville, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: Ina Davis
Program Director: Ina Davis
Grant Amount: $1,350
The Golf After School program targets Betsie Valley Elementary School in Thompsonville, Mich., which is 72 percent economically disadvantaged. The program is for 7-10 year olds, who are in the 2nd-5th grades, and is held on Wednesdays during May and two weeks in June. In addition, Crystal Tree Golf Course offers many affordable junior instruction programs and free golf to juniors Sunday-Thursday after 4 p.m., when accompanied by an adult. There are special forward junior tees at 200-, 150- and 100-yards to make the game more enjoyable.
CHILDREN’S GOLF FOUNDATION
Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.
PGA Section: South Florida
PGA Professional: William Decker
Program Director: Keith Stuhler
Grant Amount: $9,750
The Children’s Golf Foundation has been teaching golf to mentally and/or physically challenged children since 1988. In 2002, the Foundation completed the first facility in the nation designed from the ground up for mentally and/or physically challenged children.
COLLIER JUNIOR GOLF INC.
Location: Naples, Fla.
PGA Section: South Florida
PGA Professional: Larry J. Gantzer
Program Director: Larry J. Gantzer
Grant Amount: $4,688
Collier Junior Golf Inc.’s mission is to introduce golf to every child at every elementary and middle school in the Collier County School System. The program is taught by
PGA Professionals using SNAG equipment. PGA members become “Partners in Education” with the Collier School System, which includes 28,704 students in 23 elementary and
8 middle schools. After-school golf clubs will be formed at participating local golf courses.
FOX VALLEY GOLF INITIATIVE – ACES
Location: Appleton, Wis.
PGA Section: Wisconsin
PGA Professional: Carolyn Barnett-Howe
Program Director: Carolyn Barnett-Howe
Grant Amount: $9,525
Fox Valley Golf Initiative’s target group is K-8 elementary and middle school children in the Appleton Catholic Education System (ACES). The students are taught during their physical education classes by both a PGA Professional and P.E. teacher in the gymnasium. On the last day, they take a field trip to either High Cliff Golf Course or Winagamie Golf Course at a cost of $2.50 per junior for the bus; and $3 each for the course access fee.
FOX VALLEY GOLF INITIATIVE – MENASHA
Location: Appleton, Wis.
PGA Section: Wisconsin
PGA Professional: Steve Howe
Program Director: Steve Howe
Grant Amount: $10,195
Fox Valley Golf Initiative also targets K-8 elementary and middle school students in the Menasha Joint School District – a blue collar district. The children are taught during their physical education classes by both a PGA Professional and P.E. teacher in the gymnasium. On the last day, they also take a field trip to either High Cliff Golf Course or Winagamie Golf Course at a cost of $2.50 per junior for the bus; and $3 each for the course access fee.
FUTURE MASTERS INC.
Location: Orlando, Fla.
PGA Section: North Florida
PGA Professional: TBD
Program Director: Allen Perreault
Grant Amount: $3,000
Future Masters was started in 2001, with the mission of teaching kids 3-18 years old how to play golf. Since then, Future Masters has grown from 25 to 200 kids. The introductory program is for children and parents. It is a six-week series, with the first four weeks dedicated to golf instruction; followed by a skills competition during Week 5; and a tournament and awards program in Week 6. There is a “Player of the Year” program to encourage the juniors to stay with them throughout the year.
GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE PROGRAMS
Golf: For Business and Life is a PGA of America college initiative, designed to teach and improve the golf skills of students through instruction provided by PGA Professionals, and to suggest ways in which the students can use golf as a business tool as they enter the professional world. It is available to college juniors, seniors and graduate students.
The PGA recommends a class of 24; three PGA professionals; 1.5-2 hour classes per session; and a minimum of 16 sessions. Listed below are the eight universities that are renewing during this cycle:
· CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
School: Clemson University
Location: Clemson, S.C.
PGA Section: Carolinas
PGA Professional: Rick Lucas
Program Director: Bob Brookover
Program Established: 2004
Grant Amount: $18,750
· COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY PGM/GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
School: Coastal Carolina University
Location: Conway, S.C.
PGA Section: Carolinas
PGA Professional: Gil Feagin
Program Director: Gil Feagin
Program Established: 1998
Grant Amount: $16,600
· FIU -- GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
School: Florida International University
Location: Miami
PGA Section: South Florida
PGA Professional: Phil Argianas
Program Director: Bill Beesting
Program Established: 2006
Grant Amount: $19,400
· GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
School: University of Idaho
Location: Moscow, Idaho
PGA Section: Pacific Northwest
PGA Professional: Dawes Marlatt
Program Director: Dawes Marlatt
Program Established: 2001
Grant Amount: $9,600
· OHLONE COLLEGE GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
School: Ohlone College
Location: Livermore, Calif.
PGA Section: Northern California
PGA Professional: Mike Cowan
Program Director: Mike Cowan
Program Established: 1985
Grant Amount: $31,100
· SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – GOLF FOR ALL
School: Sonoma State University
Location: Rohnert Park, Calif.
PGA Section: Northern California
PGA Professional: Valentine Verhunce
Program Director: Valentine Verhunce
Program Established: 2005
Grant Amount: $12,750
· SWING TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY
School: Truman State University
Location: Kirksville, Mo.
PGA Section: Gateway
PGA Professional: Jim Berrey
Program Director: Jim Berrey
Program Established: 2003
Grant Amount: $13,000
· UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
School: University of Minnesota
Location: Coon Rapids, Minn.
PGA Section: Minnesota
PGA Professional: Jeff Otto
Program Director: Jon Tollette
Program Established: 2005
Grant Amount: $16,800
GREEN FEES FOR GOLFERS WITH DISABILITIES
Location: North Olmsted, Ohio
PGA Section: Northern Ohio
PGA Professional: Trevor Hazen
Program Director: Bob Wharton
Grant Amount: $11,250
This year, free golf lessons were offered for golfers with disabilities. The response was tremendous and proved a need for the program. The program will be conducted at
North Olmsted Golf Course, which serves the Cleveland area. There are 3 million physically challenged people in Greater Cleveland. Statistics show as many as 6 percent were golfers. The accessibility of the golf course has been accommodated through the rebuilding of the greens and tees for use by adaptive carts.
HEART OF GOLF (HOG) PROGRAM
Location: Sherwood, Ark.
PGA Section: South Central
PGA Professional: Joe Ralston
Program Director: Joe Ralston
Grant Amount: $7,500
The Eugene J. Tavkin Health Care Center is the North Little Rock (Ark.) branch of the Veterans Administration Hospital. The complex covers 1,100 acres, and includes Emerald Park Golf Course and Driving Range, which is operated by the Burns Park Golf Course and the City of Little Rock. There are more than 20 volunteers willing to donate their time and efforts to help make the Heart of Golf Program successful. The course is within safe walking distance from the hospital, which provides transportation if necessary.
HUNTSVILLE METROPOLITAN YOUTH GOLF FOUNDATION
Location: Huntsville, Ala.
PGA Section: Dixie
PGA Professional: Charlie Richardson
Program Director: TK Richards
Grant Amount: $6,919
The Huntsville Metropolitan Youth Golf Foundation is an outgrowth of a group of interested persons who had a vision that the children and youth of their city and county could benefit from golf instruction and learn from the core values associated with the game. In June 2004, they entered into an agreement with the City of Huntsville to conduct a five-day golf clinic. The clinic culminates with all of the children enjoying a three-hole scramble at a local golf course. The children are given a Rules book, a book of etiquette, cap and tee-shirt.
INDIAN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM
Location: Ft. Pierce, Fla.
PGA Section: South Florida
PGA Professional: Trent Stewart
Program Director: Trent Stewart
Grant Amount: $2,250
Indian Hills Country Club was a semi-private club, but was acquired by the City of
Ft. Pierce. In May 2003, the Club conducted tournament that raised $2,500 for a new Junior Golf Program. The 2004 and 2005 hurricanes did a lot of damage to the golf course. The funds were used for equipment and a junior golf camp. The Indian Hills Country Club Junior Golf Program’s goal is to serve 160 students each year. The downtown location of the Club provides an ideal central location for such a program.
KIAWAH/SEA ISLAND YOUTH GOLF PROGRAM
Location: Kiawah Island, S.C.
PGA Section: Carolinas
PGA Professional: Terri Almond
Program Director: Harry McHugh
Grant Amount: $24,400
The Kiawah/Sea Island Youth Golf Program was founded to provide golf course access and instruction for grammar school boys and girls. Sea Island school children are predominantly African American, with few opportunities for extra curricular activities. Access was secured to four golf courses on Kiawah Island – Cougar Point, River Course, Cassique and Oak Point – and they have enrolled 20 PGA professionals to provide instruction. In addition, the participation of the Island’s three grade schools and one middle school were coordinated.
LPGA-USGA GIRLS GOLF OF GREATER BOSTON
Location: Boston
PGA Section: New England
PGA Professional: Jessie Hodges
Program Director: Pat Shelton
Grant Amount: $1,500
The LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Greater Boston is a developmental junior golf program for girls ages 7-17, and has been in operation for six years. A majority of the girls are from low-income backgrounds. Program participation by African-American, Hispanic and Asian girls and their mothers/mentors has increased in recent years. Juniors are recruited from local after-school programs, middle schools and community churches.
MIDNIGHT GOLF
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: Scott Barla
Program Director: Tim Czelada
Grant Amount: $24,560
The Midnight Golf Program continues to serve a neglected segment of the population of Detroit: 17-22 year old men and women. The grant money has benefited approximately
135 young men and women, with the gender makeup approximately 55 percent male and
45 percent female. The majority of the young people live in public housing and have no true role models or parental guidance in their home life. The Midnight Golf program is making a difference in the lives of participants. The program has proved quite successful in serving a very difficult demographic.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY/HOOK A KID ON GOLF IN THE
SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Location: DeKalb, Ill.
PGA Section: Illinois
PGA Professional: Pam Tyska
Program Director: Pam Tyska
Grant Amount: $1,000
The Northern Illinois University (NIU) Hook a Kid on Golf in the Schools Program is a collaborative effort that involves: the NIU men’s and women’s golf teams, DeKalb Elementary School District 428, DeKalb Community Foundation, Hook a Kid on Golf and other instructional opportunities that integrate golf into the local elementary school physical education programs. The program will expand into the summer through a camp (12 hours of instruction and three hours on the course) and clinic program (seven hours of instruction and three hours on the course). Approximately 40-50 percent of the families of these school children are classified as “low income” by School District 428.
NORTHERN TEXAS PGA JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION:
GOLF IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Location: Wylie, Texas
PGA Section: Northern Texas
PGA Professional: Section