Sports
PGA professionals continue efforts to grow the game of golf
By PGA
Aug 26, 2003

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The fourth cycle of 66 PGA Growth of the Game grants totaling almost $540,000 has been awarded from The PGA of America's Growth of the Game Grant program.  This announcement continues to highlight The PGA of America's commitment to partner with its members to fuel the growth of golf.  These funds combine with grants awarded during 2001 and 2002 bring the total donation from The PGA Growth of the Game Grant Program to over $2.3 million for a combined 189 grants.   Of the 66 grants, 14 programs will receive a grant for a second time.

With the financial assistance of these grants, PGA Professionals can develop and administer important programs that open doors of opportunity for participants to enter the game and, ultimately, remain a part of a growing golf population.  PGA Professionals nationwide are the driving force and inspiration behind numerous initiatives that introduce golf to diverse cultural, racial and economic segments of society.

"We have seen from the grants awarded in the first three cycles, that these programs are having a profound impact on individual lives," said PGA of America President M.G. Orender.  "Now, with the Cycle IV grants, we are again able to provide financial support to the PGA Professionals, thus enabling them to maintain their golf programs and continue to contribute to the well-being of their communities."

The PGA Growth of the Game Grant program is just one of a number of
initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation.  Since 1999 alone, spending on grants for growth of the game and community outreach has totaled more than $22 million.  For more information on The PGA Growth of the Game grant program, please log on to http://www.pgafoundation.com/ or contact The PGA Foundation at 561/624-7612.

PGA GROWTH OF THE GAME GRANT RECIPIENTS

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

PGA Section: Georgia

PGA Professional: Sedrick Jackson

Program Director: Sedrick Jackson

Grant Amount: $15,430

The 2003 Girls Golf Camp will introduce girls to the game of golf, develop competitive skills as well as provide life skills development to assist these young ladies in their personal development and their preparation for college. The program target group is African American girls, ages 8-15, 25 in each session. Program participants will be recruited from elementary, middle and high schools, after-school programs, county recreation programs and church youth groups.

Location: Aspen, Colorado

PGA Section: Colorado

PGA Professional: Alden Richards, Jr.

Program Director: Alden Richards, Jr.

Grant Amount: $2,700

The Aspen Junior Golf Foundation was founded in 1987 and it has grown from 20 children to over 425. Included with the program fee, they receive a tee shirt, bag tag, unlimited use of the junior range, which includes clubs, range balls, putting and chipping areas, on course play one day a week, free greens fees at the Ranch at the Roaring Fork Golf Course, Skills Challenge, First Tour Junior Golf Demo Day, Junior of the Week Instruction Series, and new clubs at cost plus 25%.

Location: Sicklerville, New Jersey

PGA Section: Philadelphia

PGA Professional: Bill Bishop

Program Director: Bill Bishop

Grant Amount: $9,720

The Bill Bishop Junior Golf Camp is owned and operated by Bill Bishop, PGA member, and has been open since 1968. It promotes golf to interested inner city youngsters from Camden, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and the surrounding South Jersey area. Starts July 1 for 3 hours of instruction from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm -- 35-45 participants with six teaching instructors for 18 weeks.

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

PGA Section: Northern Texas

PGA Professional: Joseph Delio

Program Director: Joseph Delio

Grant Amount: $13,750

This program directly supports the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Worth (7 sites) City Parks and Recreation programs (14 sites) and the Fort Worth ISD Middle School PE program (17 sites). These programs are Outreach Programs offering golf day or golf week instruction. More than 80% of the potential players are inner city/disadvantaged young people - 45% Black, 35% Hispanic, 10% Asian, and 10% other - including White and Native Americans.

Location: Saginaw, Michigan

PGA Section: Michigan

PGA Professional: Doug Temple

Program Director: Doug Temple

Grant Amount: $18,000

The purpose of the project will be to introduce the game of golf to the inner city youth of Saginaw County. The summer camp will run four 1-week sessions. Each session is from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Saginaw YMCA, which currently has 8,000 members, will provide transportation for all campers. Scholarships will be available to those that qualify.

Location: Franklin, Indiana

PGA Section: Indiana

PGA Professional: Chuck Beazley

Program Director: Cyndi Lawson

Grant Amount: $15,000

Chuck Beazley, a PGA Professional, is the Gongaware Indiana Junior Golf Academy’s Director. Chuck has a staff of PGM students and collegiate golfers to assist him with instruction and to serve as counselors for the students. The program is managed by the Indiana PGA Section. The schedule developed for the Academy attendees is very structured. In addition to the time allotted for instruction and playing, the Academy offers classes to help all students understand how to accomplish their goals in golf and life.

One aspect of Hook a Kid on Golf is the Tee Level Introductory Clinic. This program was designed to provide an easy to follow format for any youth organization, recreation agency or golf course to use in setting up a week-long introductory golf clinic for first-time golfers. The clinics are designed to be four days (three hours each day) of swing, putting, and chipping instruction and one day of on-course play. As part of the Tee Level Clinic, each youngster is provided with a new starter set of clubs and other golf items needed to begin to learn the game. In addition to being taught basic swing fundamentals, there are 30-minute presentations dealing with the rules and etiquette, drug and alcohol awareness, nutrition, and golf course maintenance that are part of a Tee Level clinic. At the end of the clinic, youngsters get to keep their clubs and all their other materials including a member bag tag that signifies their completion of the Tee Level.

The following programs received a grant for their HOOK A KID ON GOLF PROGRAM:

Location: Boise, Idaho

PGA Section: Rocky Mountain

PGA Professional: Mike Perkins

Program Director: Mike Perkins

Grant Amount: $850

Location: Boise, Idaho

PGA Section: Rocky Mountain

PGA Professional: Mike Perkins

Program Director: Mike Perkins

Grant Amount: $850

Location: Livingston, Texas

PGA Section: Southern Texas

Program Director: Leslie Boykin

Grant Amount: $400

Location: Covington, Kentucky

PGA Section: Kentucky

Program Director: David Buerger

Grant Amount: $600

Location: Chicago, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

Program Director: Patricia Faire

Grant Amount: $6,250

Location: Garden City, Kansas

PGA Section: South Central

PGA Professional: Damon Anderson

Program Director: Damon Anderson

Grant Amount: $600

Location: Collinsville, Illinois

PGA Section: Gateway

PGA Professional: Brian Witty

Program Director: Brian Witty

Grant Amount: $450

Location: Collinsville, Illinois

PGA Section: Gateway

PGA Professional: Brian Witty

Program Director: Brian Witty

Grant Amount: $375

Location: Boynton Beach, Florida

PGA Section: South Florida

PGA Professional: Rick Durham

Program Director: Rick Durham

Grant Amount: $480

Location: Summerhill, Pennsylvania

PGA Section: Tri-State

Program Director: Roberta Snyder

Grant Amount: $600

Location: Essex Junction, Vermont

PGA Section: New England

PGA Professional: Mark Berry

Program Director: Mark Berry

Grant Amount: $300

Location: Long Grove, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

PGA Professional: Pat Kenny

Program Director: Pat Kenny

Grant Amount: $1,000

Location: Lansing, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

PGA Professional: Brian Selders

Director: Brian Selders

Grant Amount: $210

Location: Chicago, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

Program Director: Michael Horton

Grant Amount: $240

Location: Edgemont, Arkansas

PGA Section: South Central

PGA Professional: Joel Kunert

Program Director: Joel Kunert

Grant Amount: $600

Location: Peoria, Arizona

PGA Section: Southwest

PGA Professional: Bob Shuler

Program Director: Bob Shuler

Grant Amount: $300

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

PGA Section: Dixie

Program Director: Howard Bankhead

Grant Amount: $780

Location: Chicago, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

Program Director: Regi Ratliff

Grant Amount: $300

Location: Chicago, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

Program Director: Joseph DiCara

Grant Amount: $300

Location: Glenview, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

PGA Professional: Rob Dauphinais

Program Director: Rob Dauphinais

Grant Amount: $18,750

Teaching Life’s Lessons through Golf/Maryville is a year-round program that takes place at the orphanage’s Des Plaines, Illinois campus. A nearby golf dome is used in the winter months. Classes are held every afternoon after school for 3 hours. There is a full-time PGA professional staff member. The children average 9 hours a week of instruction/mentoring/caddying.

Location: Vero Beach, Florida

PGA Section: South Florida

PGA Director: Mark Cammarene

Program Director: Mark Cammarene

Grant Amount: $6,300

Indian River Charter High School, founded in 1998, is a small, public non-traditional high school with a curriculum based upon a government report, which was developed by 300 employers across the U.S. in response to the question "What do most employers want from high school graduates?" Most students take 1 or 2 classes at Indian River Community College as part of their high school schedule. The mission of the School of Golf, under the umbrella of the Charter School, is to prepare students for college and careers in golf and golf-related professions. The school fills the gap between summer junior golf programs and college. The program runs the entire school year from August to May. Each week, students participate in two 3-hour instruction sessions held at The Links at Pointe West in Vero Beach, Florida. Students are also required to practice an additional 2 hours on their own each week. Students must pass drug testing and sign a code of conduct. They are bused to the golf course.

Location: Columbia, Missouri

PGA Section: Gateway

PGA Professional: Richard Poe

Program Director: Richard Poe

Grant Amount: $4,500

The target audience of the JP Youth Golf Foundation is children, ages 11-13, who have limited access to golf facilities and instruction. This includes children from the Boys and Girls Club as well as other children in Mid-Missouri who have limited means. The 5-day program is broken down into a morning session featuring three rotations covering full-swing, short-game and on-course instruction and an afternoon session with different forms of competition. No charge for golf course access will be extended to the students on both the golf course and driving range. Transportation is arranged through the Boys and Girls Club of Mid-Missouri and is also available free of charge to any participant who requires it. Clubs, balls, meals, hats, shirts and graduation certificates are also provided free of charge.

Location: Maple Glen, Pennsylvania

PGA Section: Philadelphia

Program Director: James Sykes

Grant Amount: $14,400

This will be the second year for Kids-on-the-Hill but the first for the facility, Island Green Country Club instruction increased. This year 50 students will receive 60 hours of instruction, an increase of 250% over last year. Students will be provided by the Police Athletic League in Philadelphia, which will provide transportation and supervision, allowing the PGA members to focus on golf alone.

Location: Concord, California

PGA Section: Northern California

PGA Professional: Bob Barro

Program Director: Bob Barro

Grant Amount: $1,000

The Contra Costa Police Athletic Association is an association consisting of active and retired law enforcement officers and others from federal, state and local levels living and/or working in Contra Costa County. It was created in 1995 and their mission is to help counter drugs, gangs, violence and juvenile delinquency. Participants will be 20 juniors divided into two groups of 10 (one group may be all female). The program will consist of ten group lessons, followed by a nine hole round of golf at the Buchanan Fields Golf Course in Concord (a nine hole course).

Location: Rockland, Delaware

PGA Section: Philadelphia

Program Director: Judith Stout

Grant Amount: $8,100

LPGA UYGP has recently formed a partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority to serve 100 at-risk youths in the City of Wilmington who reside in public housing under their jurisdiction. Golf instruction for these children for the first 3 classes will emphasize golf etiquette and safety and an introduction to SNAG golf. The remaining 5 classes will be held at Ed "Porky" Oliver Golf Course in Wilmington, Delaware -- 100 youths on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm - 25 juniors per class. Another partnership was formed with the Dover Air Force Base -- 100 at-risk youths - 50 juniors from the Air Force Base and 50 juniors from the local Boys and Girls Club and YMCA.

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

PGA Section: Minnesota

PGA Professional: Jackie Cherryhomes

Director: Jackie Cherryhomes

Grant Amount: $7,500

The mission of MMJGA is to help inner city youth experience all the skill and discipline of the game of golf. Participants make a two-year commitment to the program and must maintain good grades and exemplify good citizenship. MMJGA caddies have the opportunity to work at private golf clubs throughout the Twin Cities and receive free golf training. It also provides young people with an opportunity to earn a scholarship. Each year, over 50 caddies are recruited and trained through the Minneapolis public schools, community centers and area businesses. As an added incentive, each caddy is given his/her own set of brand new golf clubs after they have graduated to "honor caddy". Numerous partnerships have been formed: Second Swing provides free golf clubs, First Tee provides golf lessons, and Minneapolis Parks & Recreation gives reduced golf rates.

Location: Columbus, Ohio

PGA Section: Southern Ohio

PGA Professional: Gil Roosmann

Program Director: Gil Roosmann

Grant Amount: $9,000

There are 24 PGA professionals that participate in this program. All of the instruction is on a volunteer basis. The Foundation’s Board is made up of business and community leaders who have benefited greatly from their golf experiences. From 1998-2002, the Foundation raised money through donations and golf tournaments. Those and other fundraising efforts continue. The 9-week program starts June 17. There is a session for parents to assist them on what to expect and how to help their young golfers. Volunteers will assist professionals with the program. The Morton Foundation will provide golf clubs for those that don’t have them.

Location: Superior, Wisconsin

PGA Section: Minnesota

PGA Professional: Mark S. Carlson

Program Director: Mark S. Carlson

Grant Amount: $2,625

The Summer Instruction Program runs for 10 weeks during the summer. The price is $30 per student and students receive 1.5 hrs. of instruction twice a week. Two PGA professionals and volunteers instruct this summer program. The Learn To Golf program begins when school gets out for the summer and runs through mid-August.

Location: Chicago, Illinois

PGA Section: Illinois

Program Director: Brenda Golden

Grant Amount: $16,000

NHCSC is a community-based provider established in 1990 to meet the needs of families and youths in the areas of substance abuse, counseling, violence prevention and intervention for youths, domestic violence and employment training/placement. Within the NHCSC service area are two parks with golf courses. The primary goal is to provide these youths with an opportunity to learn to play golf, to gain awareness of careers within the golf industry, to increase the participation of girls in an individualized competitive sport, improve academics and life choices all through golf instruction.

Location: Royston, Georgia

PGA Section: Georgia

PGA Professional: Karl Gross

Program Director: Karl Gross

Grant Amount: $16,400

There are four phases to this program:

Phase 1 - Two lessons at the Boys and Girls Club for a total of 3 hours of instruction. The $7.00 fee includes instruction, equipment and range balls.

Phase 2 - Transport the kids from the Boys and Girls Club to the golf course. Transportation will be provided by county school buses to and from the golf course. The next six lessons occur on the golf course. Greens fees will run $5.00 per student. Nine hours of instruction.

Phase 3 - Enroll 60 juniors in an intensive 5-day golf camp at the golf course for 3 hours each day - 15 hours of instruction. The cost per student is $60. Transportation will again be provided by county school buses.

Phase 4 - Same programs, Phase 1 through Phase 3, will be offered to Elbert and White Counties Boys and Girls Club. Highland Walk Golf Course, where the golf course instruction will take place, is part of the Georgia State Park golf course system with eight golf courses throughout the State of Georgia. Green fees to all junior golfers at all state park courses is $5.00.

Location: DePere, Wisconsin

PGA Section: Wisconsin

PGA Professional: Tim Drossart

Program Director: Tim Drossart

Grant Amount: $18,750

The Play4Golf program is designed to promote the game of golf to all juniors in the Green Bay, Wisconsin School District. The market includes Native Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans and low-income juniors. They have a commitment from the Director of Curriculum of the DePere School District, which encompasses 10 schools and over 2,000 students. The cost per student is $7-$15 for the week. The instructors travel to each school, one school a week, all day, teaching each physical education class.

Location: Montgomery, Alabama

PGA Section: Dixie

Director: Wendy Boyd

Grant Amount: $4,600

Project One Junior Golf Academy is an after school golf program in Montgomery conducted during the school term on Friday and Saturday mornings. Classroom instructions are taught to students on Friday and hands-on golf instruction on Saturday mornings at a golf facility. The program is open to all children of all races and economic backgrounds. Minorities are a special target group because historically economics have prevented many minorities from pursuing this sport.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

PGA Section: Georgia

Director: Vic Clark

Grant Amount: $1,000

Initially founded by Vic Clark as an after-school program, Project One has served Metropolitan Atlanta youth since 1995. The program starts in September and continues through May. New students are required to pay a $50 enrollment fee. All students receive a handbook for classroom instruction, a training club and golf glove. Students of the Academy meet for two hours after school on Fridays. The curriculum alternates between classroom instruction and golf course instruction.

Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

PGA Section: Sun Country

PGA Professional: Robert Lowry

Program Director: Robert Lowry

Grant Amount: $17,825

Robert Lowry is the Sun Country Section’s PGA Teacher of the Year for 2001. Over the past 8 years, he has been introducing the game of golf to juniors in several Native American communities in New Mexico. These efforts were spotlighted in the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Golf has not historically been a part of the New Mexico Native American culture, and therefore, most adults have little knowledge about the game. Without adult involvement, it has been difficult to sustain the growth initiatives started with the juniors. Therefore, golf instruction and golf play is being requested for adults and juniors.

Location: Greenville, South Carolina

PGA Section: Carolinas

PGA Professional: Thomas Easler, Jr.

Program Director: Thomas Easler, Jr.

Grant Amount: $6,750

Save our Sons is an organization of young boys that range in age from 8 to 18 that are predominantly from single parent, low-income families and are exposed to very little positive influences in their homes or neighborhoods. Through the generosity of the PGA, many of these boys were introduced to a game that helped to turn their lives around and head them in a positive direction. A real difference has been made in these kids’ lives. During the last program, the children were featured on the news of WSPA, WGFF, Fox TV, and local newspapers.

Location: Plantation, Florida

PGA Section: South Florida

PGA Professional: Joe Vogel

Director: Joe Vogel

Grant Amount: $9,000

Joe ran a successful junior program last year with the help of our Growth of the Game grant. Four hundred and fifty (450) juniors were introduced to the game at their school and 70 juniors have played their first 9 holes. A new goal for this year will be to start classes for some of the parents of the students. Some parents have already started buying clubs for their children and taking them to the driving ranges and playing golf on different courses. Four hours a day, twice a week is spent at the school instructing from September 9 to May 19. Saturdays there are two instructors for four hours a day taking the children out on the golf course.

Location: Palm Harbor, Florida

PGA Section: North Florida

Program Director: Doug Laseter

Grant Amount: $1,200

The Tampa Bay Junior Golf Foundation’s mission is twofold. First, it provides college scholarships to high school seniors based on junior golf participation and work experience in the golf industry. $30,000 in scholarships has been awarded in the last 2 years to 14 public school students. The second mission is to introduce the game of golf to students through the school system. This is the program (after school instruction) they are asking us for support for. The after school program takes place in the fall.

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

PGA Section: Dixie

Program Director: Howard Bankhead

Grant Amount: $6,708

The Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development is a subsidiary of the Tennessee Valley Jazz Society founded in Huntsville, Alabama in 1981. The Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development first presented three golf clinics in the summer of 2002. TVYGD has pending support from the USGA and has developed a relationship with a youth golf organization - Hook a Kid on Golf. TVYGD has established cultural and educational collaborations with Youth Services of the City of Huntsville’s Recreation Department, the Huntsville Housing Authority, the Huntsville/Madison County Boys and Girls Clubs, Alabama A&M University’s Telecommunications Center, and local school systems and other community-based youth organizations.

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

PGA Section: Southern Ohio

Program Director: Tony Yates

Grant Amount: $7,500

The Tony Yates Junior Golf Academy uses the game of golf to teach discipline, encourage personal growth, self-esteem and fosters personal success for the boys and girls attending. The program provides golf instruction along with life skills training to enable participants to become better, more productive citizens. Last year, the Academy trained 206 children with 6 PGA pros and 56 volunteers. The objective is to conduct the Junior Golf Academy for 200 to 300 Greater Cincinnati youth in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, Recreation Commission, Billy Casper Golf and local PGA members. The Academy ran from May 1 to July 31, 2003. A total of 15 sessions with 1.5 hrs per session. The participants are required to practice volunteerism; they must help others as they are helped.

Location: Chesterfield, Missouri

PGA Section: Gateway

PGA Professional: Dean Frankiewicz

Program Director: Dean Frankiewicz

Grant Amount: $9,563

Chesterfield Valley Golf Center is working with the YMCA of West County. They are hoping to attract hundreds of active children to the game through a weeklong camp that incorporates instruction, fun, competition and other recreational pursuits as performed in conjunction with the West County YMCA. They are hoping this pilot program could serve as a model for facilities to align its services with the YMCA’s built-in audience of children and families. Camps are for one week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm with golf instruction from 9:00 am to noon each day. Fifteen hours of instruction per week, 3 hours per day, 12 kids per camp, 6 to 1 ratio. Golf program topics are full swing, short game, rules, etiquette, integrity and course management.

Location: Billings, Montana

PGA Section: Rocky Mountain

PGA Professional: Scott Pekovich

Program Director: Scott Pekovich

Grant Amount: $8,925

The Yegen Golf Club is trying to promote the game of golf to the younger age groups, particularly ages 6-12 years. Currently, there is not much offered for programs in the area. These young golfers have to pass certain skill levels before they can move onto other advanced skills, patterned after the US Kids Golf instructional program. The Yegen Golf Club is also forming a partnership with the local Farmers Insurance agents to make this program an asset to the community. The local agents (who sent a letter) will act as "sponsors" and help volunteer and advertise.

Location: Elizabeth City, North Carolina

PGA Section: Carolinas

PGA Professional: Kevin McCord

PGA Director: Leroy Fowler III

Grant Amount: $35,000

Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University is a historical black university. Dr. Isaac Morehead, Chairperson of the Physical Education Program and the Athletic Director, Dr. McLean, and Chancellor, Dr. Burmin will help to make this PGA of America Golf: For Business and Life program a success.

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

PGA Section: Carolinas

PGA Professional: To Be Announced

Program Director: Dr. Michael Kanters

Grant Amount: $35,000

The purpose of NC State’s PGM program is to educate students on the management of golf facilities and to facilitate, in cooperation with the PGA, the achievement of PGA professional membership and employment in the golf industry. The proposal is to implement the Golf: For Business and Life program beginning January 2004 for juniors and seniors in the College of Management.

Location: Franklin, Tennessee

PGA Section: Tennessee

PGA Professional: Dick Horton

Program Director: Dick Horton

Grant Amount: $14,090

Last year, fall 2002, was the inaugural run of the G:FBL program grant for Vanderbilt University. Their goal was to introduce the basic skills of golf to the students with a corresponding lecture series discussing golf and business. This program with Vanderbilt was very successful and the students’ response was overwhelmingly positive. They are looking to be self-sufficient by 2004 and feel their program is a good model for other collaborations with Universities. The 2003 program with Vanderbilt University is designed to target students with little or no former golf instruction.

Location: Forest Hill, Maryland

PGA Section: Mid-Atlantic

PGA Professional: Frank Laber

Program Director: Frank Laber

Grant Amount: $9,500

A program has been developed for senior golfers with limited playing experience. They can sign up for a series of 5 sessions in a group for $30 a person. They would also receive the Rules of Golf, First Swing Student Manual, the use of golf clubs if they do not have any, free range balls to practice with, free greens fees after 1:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and free greens fees after 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Location: Callao, Virginia

PGA Section: Middle Atlantic

PGA Professional: Dean Summer

Program Director: Dean Summer

Grant Amount: $3,750

This program is to promote the game of golf to the senior golfer. Senior golfers can sign up for a group lesson for 1.5 hours with players for 6 weeks at $50 per session. They would also receive the Rules of Golf, First Swing Student Manual, use of golf clubs (if they do not have any), free range balls to practice with and greens fees after 1:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Also free greens fees after 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Location: Citrus Heights, California

PGA Section: Northern California

PGA Professional: Doug Pringle

Program Director: Doug Pringle

Grant Amount: $1,500

The program mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing affordable inclusive sports and recreation activities that build self-esteem, confidence and independence. Disabled Sports was established in 1967 by disabled veterans. Less than 9% of DSUSAFW’s total revenues goes to its fundraising and administrative overhead. Because these expenses are paid through bingo proceeds, 100% of donated dollars go directly to support their programs.

Location: North Olmsted, Ohio

PGA Section: Northern Ohio

PGA Professional: Joe Denton

Program Director: Joe Denton

Grant Amount: $15,000

This year, free golf lessons were offered for golfers with disabilities. The response was tremendous and proved a need for the program. There is no similar program in the Greater Cleveland area. The program will be conducted at North Olmsted Golf Course, serving Cleveland, Ohio. This dedicated site and schedule will enable the golfers with disabilities to play at their own pace and in their own environment without the pressures experienced on other courses. Golfers will receive instruction from two PGA teaching professionals. A two-stall indoor range is available for instruction for physically challenged individuals. Additional programs involving challenged youths and Special Olympics will continue year round on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. There are 3 million physically challenged people in the Greater Cleveland area. Statistics show as many as 6% were golfers. The accessibility of the golf course has been accommodated by rebuilding greens and tees for use by adaptive carts.

Location: Florence, Kentucky

PGA Section: Kentucky

PGA Professional: Ralph Landrum

Program Director: Ralph Landrum

Grant Amount: $6,320

A relationship with a local organization that benefits handicapped youths and adults has been developed. One week the group will receive a 2-hour group lesson, and the next week they play golf with a chaperon. All of their golf instruction will take place at the World of Sports facility in Florence, Kentucky. This group has hosted the state’s Special Olympics Golf Tournament three times. Each of the participants will receive a Landrum Golf Management privilege card, which will be used to track how many times the participants and their chaperons actually use the facilities outside of this specific program. The privilege card allows the participant to use the practice range or golf course at any of the four facilities for a minimal charge of $3.00 per use.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

PGA Section: Philadelphia

Program Director: Andrew Pack

Grant Amount: $6,000

The mission of the Variety Club charity is to provide programs and services to children with disabilities within the greater Delaware Valley region. The idea of this program would be to expand an already existing initiative of the charity of their golf buddy program, which pairs up a PGA professional with a disabled child. The purpose of the program would be to offer introductory golf lessons to 420 Variety Club campers during the 6-week summer encampment. It is their goal that after the summer those children interested in golf would be given the opportunity to register in the golf buddy program, which is offered in the fall and spring.

Location: Alburtis, Pennsylvania

PGA Section: Philadelphia

PGA Professional: Tom Fenstermacher

Program Director: Tom Fenstermacher

Grant Amount: $3,375

Last year’s program was very successful with crowded classes and many new knowledgeable golfers. The program director will target new women golfers from groups like AARP, EWGA, churches, social groups and minority groups. There are three programs starting June 16 that run for 4 weeks - 7.5 hours of instruction each week for a total of 30 hours.

Location: Haughton, Louisiana

PGA Section: Gulf States

Program Director: Stefanie Riegel

Grant Amount: $9,050

The main focus of the Olde Oaks Ladies Golf Program will be on targeting women in the corporate environment but they will also encourage other market groups such as senior women. There will be three six-week sessions of clinics for ladies only, which will include the beginner and the accomplished player. The sessions will last for 1.5 hours and 10 sessions will be scheduled over a six-week period. The goal will be to partner with local women’s business organizations such as the Women’s Business Council to help promote the game of golf at the corporate level.

Location: Reno, Nevada

PGA Section: Northern California

PGA Professional: Denise Bratzler

Program Director: Denise Bratzler

Grant Amount: $12,244

The "Gold Card Membership" is designed by the Nevada Women’s Fund to grow the game by introducing 20 women to golf. The ratio is 9:1. This gives them access to over 30 hours of instruction, and 24 hours of practice sessions. This grant will provide scholarships for 20 board members of the Nevada Women’s Fund. This organization consists of over 300 professional women who volunteer for the Nevada Women’s Fund, a community based foundation, committed to raising money and resources to benefit the underserved women and children of Nevada

Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

PGA Section: Minnesota

PGA Professional: David J. Noble

Program Director: David J. Noble

Grant Amount: $31,000

This project will serve 1,400 juniors, 250 seniors, 100 adults, 100 young adults, 100 women, 20 physically challenged and college students. Instruction will be held at various public facilities located on the Reservation including golf courses (adjacent to the Reservation), schools, public buildings, tribal buildings, meeting halls, athletic fields and gymnasiums. Juniors receive 10 hours of instruction and all others receive 20 hours.

Location: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

PGA Section: Tri-State

PGA Professional: Carmen Costa, Jr.

Program Director: Carmen Costa, Jr.

Grant Amount: $1,000

This program occurs during "Take your Daughter to the Course" Week. This includes six (6) free hours of instruction for a mother and daughter over a three-day period.

Location: Livonia, Michigan

PGA Section: Michigan

PGA Professional: Kevin Helm

Program Director: Kevin Helm

Grant Amount: $18,750

The Midnight Golf Program continues to serve a neglected segment of the population of the City of Detroit - 17-22 year old men and women. The grant money has benefited approximately 35 young men and women with the gender makeup being approximately 55% male and 45% female. The majority of the young people lives in public housing and have no true role models or parental guidance in their home life. The program was fortunate to receive some strong media interest and had coverage in local newspapers and a national magazine. It also was featured in a full-page story in USA Today, a three-part series on the Golf Channel, and has potential features coming up with the Today Show and People Magazine. This program is making a difference in the lives of the participants. This is a very difficult demographic and the program has been successful in getting students to focus on and improve their grades in school, aspire to continue their education beyond high school and instill in them the desire to want to be employed and be a positive member of their community.

Location Coon Rapids, Minnesota

PGA Section: Minnesota

PGA Professional: Jon Tollette

Program Director: Jon Tollette

Grant Amount: $14,270

Similar to the Midnight Golf Program in Detroit, Michigan, this program is targeting young adults between the ages of 17 and 22 who live in public housing in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The program, in addition to introducing and teaching the game of golf, will also incorporate life skills classes prior to each session. The mentoring program will expose participants to role models that engage in golfing, job shadowing and personal guidance activities with the student. The program will be divided into two 8-week sessions beginning the last week of May.

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

PGA Section: Carolinas

Program Director: Scott McDoniel

Grant Amount: $12,200

The University City YMCA has partnered with the Tradition Golf Club to provide golf services for youths, adults and senior citizens. The University City YMCA has never oriented individuals to golf, but research indicates an apparent need for this service. The purpose of the Golf Fore Life program is game development, character development, education about career and volunteer opportunities in golf, and improving family-cohesion through golf. The program will target senior citizens, adult and youth females, and adult and youth males through a curriculum that will incorporate player and personal development for all.

Location: Canal Winchester, Ohio

PGA Section: Southern Ohio

PGA Professional: Jeffrey Bills

Program Director: Jeffrey Bills

Grant Amount: $20,826

Westchester Golf Course, in central Ohio, will be working with 10 central Ohio chapters of the YMCA to grow the game of golf. Westchester is focusing on seniors and ladies for 2003, although all members and families are welcome to attend any of the clinics. There is an existing membership of 30,000 in the 10 YMCA’s combined. There will be eight hours of instruction during the month, including 4 meeting times.