Colorado Springs, Colo. – In its most recent cycle of grant awards, the United States Golf Association has awarded 31 additional grants to non-profit organizations to support affordable and accessible golf programs and facilities. The new grants, totaling $739,330, cover programs that will reach more than 18,000 kids and individuals with disabilities in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
In combined quarterly announcements for 2005, the USGA awarded 180 grants and more than $4.4 million to organizations whose joint mission is to use golf as a vehicle for personal development. Over the past year, USGA-supported programs have touched the lives of more than 149,000 participants.
One new recipient is The First Tee chapter in Carville, La., a program that received two grants totaling $18,500 for the construction of an on-site driving range and associated equipment for its youth golf program. The program is housed at the Gillis W. Long Center, the full-time home for a job corps program for at-risk teens. Some 425 “cadets” live at the 360-acre center, where educational opportunities and job programs are blended together. Some of the cadets will assist with the construction of the driving range.
“We plan on using the money to provide an irrigation system for the driving range at our home facility,” says Donnie Crocker, executive director of The First Tee of Carville. “We are excited about our program, which has the potential to give participants a life-long career and an opportunity for personal growth through golf. The USGA has been great to work with and very helpful.”
Another funded program was the East Lake Community Foundation of Atlanta, Ga., where the USGA awarded a three-year $120,000 grant for the continued development of its junior golf programs at The First Tee of East Lake, where 800 kids utilize the Charlie Yates Golf Course. The credo of the program is, “Golf with a purpose.”
The East Lake Community Foundation has worked to help revitalize the once impoverished neighborhood of East Lake. The community now includes affordable public housing units, the Drew Charter School that serves grades K-8 and a YMCA. As East Lake continues to develop, more businesses are moving in and residential improvement projects are springing up.
“Golf has been and continues to be an integral part of the East Lake community. It has not only helped revitalize this community, but is used as a vehicle for mentoring neighborhood children,” says Carol Naughton, executive director of the East Lake Community Foundation. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with the USGA to help young golfers develop into well-educated, well-rounded productive citizens.”
In addition to monetary support, the USGA also has developed other resources to help these golf programs, such as a communications guide to help the programs spread their message and gain even more support. The USGA also hosts an annual conference where “local champions” can share ideas and exchange information with other program directors.
The USGA has awarded more than $45-million over the past eight years to support golf instruction, equipment, course and range access, and course construction costs.
“The values that are inherent to the game of golf are transferable to areas of personal development that reach far beyond the golf course,” says USGA president Fred Ridley. “We are excited to lend our support to those programs that continue to not only develop the future generation of golfers, but to ensure a future full of local leaders and active community members.”