The PGA of America REACH Foundation, in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and PGA TOUR Superstore, announced 32 First Tee chapters to be awarded funding to create PGA Jr. League programming.
The funding, which comes from a previously announced $7.6 million grant to the PGA of America REACH Foundation by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will provide 6,000 PGA Jr. League Scholarships and expanded access to the sport for First Tee participants over the next three years.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and PGA TOUR Superstore to support these First Tee chapters as they bring more young people to PGA Jr. League,” says Phil Anderson, PGA, Chief Operating Officer of the PGA of America.
“With junior golf participation reaching record heights, our mission is to ensure that every child who wants to play has a clear and supported path to the game. These grants remove any barriers to entry for First Tee participants and put our PGA of America Golf Professionals at the forefront of fostering a love for golf.”
Says Greg McLaughlin, CEO of First Tee, “We are grateful for the support of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, PGA TOUR Superstores and PGA of America and their investment in this program. As a youth development organization that provides character development and life skills through golf, it is a wonderful opportunity to expand access to our participants who want to take the next step in the game.”
The new PGA Jr. League programs will be operated by PGA of America Golf Professionals in partnership with First Tee Chapters. To receive the grant, each First Tee Chapter submitted an application that was reviewed by a panel of representatives. Funding will provide course access, equipment, uniforms and PGA of America Golf Professional coaching at no cost to participants.
