PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The 13th cycle of PGA Growth of the Game grants totaling $161,286 has been awarded from The PGA of America's Growth of the Game Grant Program. The programs, which touch 13 states, involve military veterans, cancer and stroke victims, juniors, inner-city young adults, at-risk students, and the physically challenged. The program highlights The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.
These funds combined with grants awarded from 2001 bring the total donation from The PGA Growth of the Game Grant Program to more than $5,157,791 for a combined 488 grants.
Since 2001, the PGA Growth of the Game grants have touched virtually every level of society and individual of all abilities – from programs for U.S. troops and their families; the physically challenged; multi-cultural populations; Golf in Schools; Police Athletic Leagues; collegiate-based Golf: For Business & Life programs; and junior programs.
"The PGA's Growth of the Game grants knows no boundaries in reaching out to society," said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. "The PGA of America is proud that this program is able to connect so many communities. These grants continue our Association's initiative to support multiple golf programs as well as adding to the enjoyment of a game that otherwise may not have been possible for so many."
The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America to provide resources and professional expertise to make golf more accessible to all segments of the population.
For more on The PGA Growth of the Game Grant Program, contact 1-888-532-6661.
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, and marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere.
The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
-- Growth of The Game Grants Follow --
THE ADAPTIVE GOLF PROGRAM AT THE LINKS AT HIAWATHA LANDING
Location: Apalachin, N.Y.
PGA Section: Central New York
PGA Professional: Bernie Herceg, PGA
Program Director: Bernie Herceg, PGA
Grant Amount: $1,266
The Hiawatha Golf Project "Adaptive Golf Program" is targeted at individuals who wish to use the game of golf as a tool for rehabilitation and/or recreation. The program is offered to an audience actively involved in rehabilitation from injury or illness, including people who have prosthetic and adaptive devices.
YOUTH GOLF AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
PGA Section: Georgia
PGA Professional: Daryl Batey, PGA
Program Director: LaJean Gould
Grant Amount: $2,879
The Youth Golf and Life Skills Program features two Summer Camp Sessions including golf skills and life skills. The Program's target group is African American youth, ages 8-15. Support and training are provided for youth golfers (with an emphasis on females) that continue through college and entry into their chosen profession. The organization also focuses on the development of women's collegiate golf teams, identifies career opportunities within the golf industry and helps women in general use the game as a tool to forward their careers.
REVELATION GOLF
Location: Elk Grove, Ill.
PGA Section: Illinois
PGA Professional: Pam Tyska, PGA
Program Director: Donna Strum
Grant Amount: $3,750
The Revelation Golf program was developed to provide golf as a therapeutic tool – socially, emotionally and physically – for children with cancer, as well as adults and juniors with physical disabilities and veterans. It was previously offered for 12 years through a local rehabilitation hospital. The clinical therapist who was involved with the hospital and is now heading up this program feels that golf is the best therapeutic tool available to enhance the lives of these students.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY/HOOK A KID ON GOLF IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM
Location: DeKalb, Ill.
PGA Section: Illinois
PGA Professional: Pam Tyska, PGA
Program Director: Pam Tyska, PGA
Grant Amount: $563
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.
MIDNIGHT GOLF PROGRAM
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: Glenn Pulice, PGA
Program Director: Kevin Helm, Executive Director, Michigan Section
Grant Amount: $16,400
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 400 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 and has as proven quite successful in serving a very difficult demographic.
BAND OF ANGELS FOUNDATION GOLF CLINIC
Location: Rochester Hills, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: Gordon Marmian, PGA
Program Director: Cynthia Kidder
Grant Amount: $400
The primary goal of The Band of Angels Foundation is to advocate for the education and employment of people with Down Syndrome. 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.
ASHER GOLF PROGRAM
Location: South Gate, Mich.
PGA Section: Michigan
PGA Professional: David Corrado, PGA
Program Director: Ruth Kemp
Grant Amount: $2,375
South Gate Adult and Community Educations Advantage Academy is an alternative high school that was developed to meet the needs of at-risk students, ages 16-19, who were not successful in traditional high school. The golf program was added in 2006, and the plan is to permanently integrate the class in the course offerings for high school credit.
STREETS TO FAIRWAY – RAPPAHANNOCK AREA YMCA
Location: Falmouth, Va.
PGA Section: Middle Atlantic
PGA Professional: Jim Masson, PGA
Program Director: Elizabeth Clark
Grant Amount: $12,000
This YMCA serves Stafford, Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, King George, and Caroline County. They will be partnering with Pendleton Golf Course to introduce and teach their children that have never had the opportunity to pick up golf clubs.
PGA/DSUSA MILITARY GOLF PROGRAM (Wounded Warriors)
Location: Stadium Golf Center, San Diego, Calif.; Fort Sam Houston Golf Club, San Antonio, Tex.; and Olney Golf Park, Olney, Md.
PGA Section: Middle Atlantic
PGA Professionals: John Klein, PGA; Dick Bartel, PGA; Jim Estes, PGA; Judy Alvarez, PGA
Program Director: Steve Jubb, PGA
Grant Amount: $29,850
The PGA/DSUSA Military Golf Program started last year at three sites. Through golf instruction and playing opportunities, the Wounded Warriors learn to play the game of golf and use the sport as part of their rehabilitative process. These military personnel have been severely wounded in the line of duty and are physically and/or mentally challenged.
OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS JUNIOR GOLF
Location: Omaha, Neb.
PGA Section: Nebraska
PGA Professional: TBD
Program Director: Bruce Lubach, PGA
Grant Amount: $3,375
The mission is to introduce golf to 4th-6th grade children in the Omaha Public School System. The program is designed to be taught by local PGA Professionals. Nearly 59 percent of the total population of the students in the school system are eligible for the National Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The goal is to make Omaha Public Schools Junior Golf an annual program.
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA – LINCOLN PGM PROGRAM
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
PGA Section: Nebraska
PGA Professional: Scott Holly, PGA
Program Director: Scott Holly, PGA
Grant Amount: $7,125
This program will follow the guidelines set forth in the Golf: For Business and Life manual. The University of Nebraska is a Land Grant Educational Institution with approximately 22,000 students. After the program is completed, students are offered discounted services the following year for lessons, fittings and equipment purchases.
OHLONE COLLEGE GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
Location: Fremont, Calif.
PGA Section: Northern California
PGA Professional: Mike Cowan, PGA
Program Director: Mike Cowan, PGA
Grant Amount: $12,500
This program will follow the guidelines set forth in the Golf: For Business and Life manual. The students who attend Ohlone are predominately Chinese, Indian or Korean. Each class carries a unit value of one semester credit.
SAVING STROKES PROGRAM/AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
Location: Sacramento, Calif.
PGA Section: Northern California
PGA Professional: Tom Morton, PGA
Program Director: Tom Morton, PGA
Grant Amount: $5,231
SAVING STROKES is an American Stroke/Heart Association program to rehabilitate stroke victims through the game of golf. The program has grown from 30 to 136 people in Sacramento since 2001, and from one location to six locations. The Saving Strokes Program gets stroke victims outdoors to better build new relationships as well as provide physical therapy rehab. The objectives are all about empowering stroke victims to learn and play the great game of golf.
AMERICAN VETERANS ADAPTIVE GOLF
Location: Sarasota, Fla.
PGA Section: North Florida
PGA Professional: David Windsor, PGA
Program Director: David Windsor, PGA
Grant Amount: $25,000
American Veterans Adaptive Golf (AVAG) is a rehabilitative and therapeutic golf life skills program designed to enhance the physical, mental, social, and emotional well being of disabled veterans and injured military personnel. Instructional sessions began in September 2007 in Tampa with the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and hopes are to expand to more VA hospitals.
FUTURE MASTERS INC.
Location: Orlando, Fla.
PGA Section: North Florida
PGA Professional: TBD
Program Director: Allen Perreault
Grant Amount: $1,688
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 300 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 skill 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.
SNAG GOLF PARK
Location: Jacksonville, Fla.
PGA Section: North Florida
PGA Professional: M.G. Orender, PGA
Program Director: M.G. Orender, PGA
Grant Amount: $3,750
This is a 6- to 9-hole golf park in an economically deprived area which will be promoted for use with SNAG golf equipment. The City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the grounds and this will become a feeder program for other local programs.
COTTAGE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (formerly RISB)
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
PGA Section: Southern California
PGA Professional: Lawrence Buker, PGA
Program Director: Thomas Reeg
Grant Amount: $1,181
This adaptive golf program operates through the Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara. Adapted Golf is a therapeutic recreation program that provides instruction and adapted equipment to people with disabilities to learn or re-learn the game of golf.
JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.
PGA Section: South Florida
PGA Professional: Mark Mayette, PGA
Program Director: Mark Mayette, PGA
Grant Amount: $11,351
"Linkers on the Links" is a five-level junior golf program designed to progress students from tee line instruction to on-course training and competition. A well-organized curriculum, coupled with established criteria for advancement, allows children of all ages and abilities to develop at their own pace. This program is a recipient of funds for the First Tee National School Program for Palm Beach County.
VIAQUEST FOUNDATION GOLF AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM
Location: Dublin, Ohio
PGA Section: Southern Ohio
PGA Professional: Derek Kinzer, PGA
Program Director: Derek Kinzer, PGA
Grant Amount: $1,744
The ViaQuest Foundation Golf and Life Skills Program was established to provide individuals with special needs - as a result of mental retardation, developmental disabilities, mental health issues, and behavioral challenges - with alternative recreational activities that can be utilized to enhance their life skills. The program has provided golf instruction to 79 adolescents. Two of these participants have gone on to win four gold medals in Special Olympics competition. In addition, two individuals obtained employment at a local facility.
YMCA TEENS IN ACTION MENTORS MATTER
Location: Dayton, Ohio
PGA Section: Southern Ohio
PGA Professional: Zack Finck, PGA
Program Director: Jennifer Mueller
Grant Amount: $3,700
These teens will participate in Mentors Matter. They will be exposed to the sport of golf along with all the values and life lessons that come with it. Community leaders throughout Dayton volunteer their time to the program, and the teens and mentors love the opportunity to learn from each other and spend time together all summer long.
GOLF: FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Location: Columbus, Ohio
PGA Section: Southern Ohio
PGA Professional: Danny Appel, PGA
Program Director: Jae Westfall
Grant Amount: $4,000
This will be a two-hour credit course following the curriculum of the Golf: For Business and Life Schools. This course will include instruction in golf skills, golf rules and golf etiquette taught by PGA Professionals. The PGA Professional will introduce speakers from area businesses and civic leaders to discuss with the class how to use golf in their line of work and lives.
PITTSBURGH YOUTH GOLF FOUNDATION
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
PGA Section: Tri-State
PGA Professional: Bill Kurp, PGA
Program Director: Renee Abrams
Grant Amount: $5,250
This is a Golf in Schools program for youth, grades 6th through 8th. Participants are selected by the principal and physical education teachers at each school, based on their desire to learn golf, good behavior and demonstration of trying to achieve academically.
FOX VALLEY GOLF INITIATIVE – ACES
Location: Appleton, Wis.
PGA Section: Wisconsin
PGA Professional: Carolyn Barnett-Howe, PGA
Program Director: Carolyn Barnett-Howe, PGA
Grant Amount: $2,954
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 $5.50 per junior ($2.50 for the bus and $3 for the course access fee).
FOX VALLEY GOLF INITIATIVE – MENASHA
Location: Appleton, Wis.
PGA Section: Wisconsin
PGA Professional: Steve Howe, PGA
Program Director: Steve Howe, PGA
Grant Amount: $2,954
Fox Valley Golf Initiative also targets K-8 elementary and middle school children 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 take a field trip to either High Cliff Golf Course or Winagamie Golf Course at a cost of $5.50 per junior ($2.50 for the bus and $3 for the course access fee).
