As Frank Sinatra sings: "Start spreading the news..." Youth on Course has expanded to New York in a partnership with the Metropolitan Golf Association!
(PEBBLE BEACH, Calif.) – Youth on Course – the non-profit organization providing young people with subsidized golf, college scholarships, caddie programs and paid internships – partners with the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) to bring affordable junior golf in the NY metropolitan area.
Members ages 6-18 in this territory will be able to join the Youth on Course national network and access golf for $5 or less per round at 800 facilities across 25 states. The MGA plans to announce the selection of participating courses in the coming weeks.
“Introducing ‘$5 or less’ green fees in New York metropolitan area is a huge leap forward in making golf readily available for youth throughout the country,” says David Baker, Youth on Course Board of Directors Chairman. “There’s an enormous opportunity to grow the game of golf in such major metropolitan areas and we could not be more thrilled to welcome a new group of junior golfers into the Youth on Course family.”
Having already finalized affiliations with five other golf associations in 2018 (Golf Association of Philadelphia, Colorado Golf Association, Greater Cincinnati Golf Association, Iowa Golf Association, Maryland State Golf Association), Youth on Course continues to gain momentum. Operating in every U.S. region, Youth on Course has upwards of 30,000 active members. Since 2006, juniors have completed 650,000 rounds.
“Youth on Course has been a terrific idea since inception and we are very excited to be part of this initiative,” says Brian R. Mahoney, MGA Executive Director. “Affordable access to golf courses for young men and women developing both life and golf skills is a win-win for everyone involved.”
In addition to promoting the game through affordable access to golf, more than 200 individuals have benefited from Youth on Course scholarships totaling $1.25 million in financial support. The current college scholarship retention rate is 98 percent, with 53 students already graduated from a four-year university.
About the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA)
The Metropolitan Golf Association was founded in 1897 and is one of the nation’s oldest and largest amateur golf associations representing more than 500 clubs in the tristate Metropolitan Area. Through a network of more than 300 volunteers, and a full-time staff operating out of its Golf Central headquarters in Elmsford, N.Y., the Association fulfills its role as a true non-profit service organization. Through a variety of unique, relevant, and innovative services for member clubs and area golfers, the MGA has established itself as a leader among local and national golf organizations. Of note, the MGA was the first golf association in the country to celebrate 100 year anniversaries for is Amateur (1899), Open (1905) and Junior (1912) Championships.
About the MGA Foundation
The MGA Foundation is the charitable arm of the Metropolitan Golf Association. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to growing the game through innovative programs designed to attract and educate young people from all backgrounds. MGA Foundation activities include the GOLFWORKS student intern program, junior competitions and clinics, caddie academies and support of caddie programs as well as the local Caddie Scholarship Funds. The MGA Foundation is also a founding partner of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York and helps direct the activities of the network of First Tee programs and facilities in the tri-state area.