The USGA has provided more than $26 million in funding to First Tee since 1997 LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (August 20, 2020) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) has provided $200,000 in grants to be allocated across 51 First Tee chapters throughout the United States in its ongoing commitment to making the game more accessible and welcoming for juniors. The grants are part of an annual $1.3 million investment in national junior golf programs.
In addition to the grants, the association has pledged $125,000 to help First Tee develop innovative digital tools that enable stronger connections between juniors, parents, chapters and coaches, bringing the USGA’s total investment to $325,000 for 2020.
Since 1997, the USGA has invested a total of more than $33 million among First Tee, LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, and Drive, Chip & Putt in an effort to provide greater access to golf for juniors and cultivate a lifelong passion for the game. The commitment to expanding participation is part of the USGA’s mission to champion and advance the game.
“Year after year we are seeing the positive impact that First Tee and other junior programs are having in breaking down barriers and connecting communities through sports,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “It is vital for golf’s long-term health that we continue to create pathways for all juniors to participate.”
First Tee brings kids and teens to the game of golf and leverages it as a catalyst for personal growth through experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience. Through chapters in 150 communities and more than 10,000 schools and 1,200 after-school partnerships, First Tee reaches kids ages 5-18 from all backgrounds.
Grant applications were available to First Tee chapters located within the 14 markets where USGA championships were scheduled to take place in 2020, as well as chapters affiliated with one of the association’s 59 Allied Golf Associations (AGAs). Located in all 50 states, AGAs serve millions of golfers at the recreational level by increasing engagement and participation, and improving the golfer experience.
These 51 First Tee chapters have the potential to reach more than 1 million young people through programs on golf courses, as well as through schools and after-school partnerships.
“The USGA’s commitment to investing in First Tee over the years continues to have a lasting impact on the game as well as countless young people in communities across our country,” said Greg McLaughlin, First Tee CEO. “We are offering a meaningful and positive experience through golf that helps young people uncover who they are and grow personally. There is no better sport in which to do this, and we are thankful for the USGA’s confidence in our work.”
The funding is part of the USGA’s annual $70 million investment in the game fueled by revenues generated by the U.S. Open.
The 2020 grant recipients include:
First Tee ChapterUSGA Championship Host Communities and Supporting USGA Allied Golf Associations First Tee — Aiken2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Carolinas Golf Association First Tee — Central ArkansasArkansas State Golf Association First Tee — Central IowaIowa Golf Association First Tee — Central MississippiMississippi Golf Association First Tee — Central Washington2020 U.S. Amateur First Tee — Coachella Valley2021 U.S. Open, Southern California Golf Association First Tee — Connecticut2020 U.S. Open, 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Connecticut State Golf Association First Tee — Eastern Michigan2020 U.S. Senior Amateur, Golf Association of Michigan First Tee — FresnoNorthern California Golf Association First Tee — Greater AustinTexas Golf Association First Tee — Greater El PasoTexas Golf Association First Tee — Greater Philadelphia2020 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, Golf Association of Philadelphia First Tee — Greater Portland2020 U.S. Amateur, Oregon Golf Association First Tee — Greater Richmond2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur, Virginia State Golf Association First Tee — Greater Sacramento2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association First Tee — Greater Trenton2020 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, New Jersey State Golf Association First Tee — Greater Washington, D.C.2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Maryland State Golf Association First Tee — Greater Wilmington (N.C.)Carolinas Golf Association First Tee — Green Valley Ranch2020 U.S. Girls’ Junior, Colorado Golf Association First Tee — Howard County2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Maryland State Golf Association First Tee — IndianaIndiana Golf Association First Tee — LouisvilleKentucky Golf Association First Tee — Lowcountry2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur First Tee — MassachusettsMass. Golf Association First Tee — Metropolitan New York2020 U.S. Open, 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Metropolitan Golf Association First Tee — Mid-MichiganGolf Association of Michigan First Tee — Monterey County2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association First Tee — New HampshireNew Hampshire Golf Association First Tee — Northwest FloridaFlorida State Golf Association First Tee — OmahaNebraska Golf Association First Tee — Pine MountainKentucky Golf Association First Tee — San Diego2021 U.S. Open, Southern California Golf Association First Tee — San Joaquin (Calif.)2021 U.S. Women’s Open First Tee — SiouxlandIowa Golf Association First Tee — TennesseeTennessee Golf Association First Tee — Piney WoodsTexas Golf Association First Tee — PhoenixArizona Golf Association First Tee — Pikes Peak2020 U.S. Girls’ Junior, Colorado Golf Association First Tee — Roanoke Valley2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur, Virginia State Golf Association First Tee — San Francisco2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association First Tee — San Juan County, N.M.Sun County Golf Association First Tee — SandhillsCarolinas Golf Association First Tee — Silicon Valley2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association First Tee — South DakotaSouth Dakota Golf Association First Tee — Tri-Valley2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association First Tee — TriadCarolinas Golf Association First Tee — Twin Cities2020 U.S. Junior Amateur, Minnesota Golf Association First Tee — Upstate2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Carolinas Golf Association First Tee — Virginia Blue Ridge2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur First Tee — West Michigan2020 U.S. Senior Amateur, Golf Association of Michigan First Tee — West VirginiaWest Virginia Golf Association
***
About the USGA The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
About PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation (“First Tee”) First Tee (www.firsttee.org) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit youth development organization under the umbrella of PGA TOUR, Inc. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Since its inception in 1997, First Tee has expanded to reach more than 3.6 million young people annually on golf courses, in schools and at youth centers. Its headquarters are in St. Augustine, Florida, USA, with programs in all 50 United States and select international locations. President George W. Bush serves as Honorary Chair.
