Jack Nicklaus, PGA of America Team to Award Grants of $210,000 to 25 Chapters of The First Tee

The PGA of America and golf legend Jack Nicklaus have partnered to present $210,000 in grants supporting 25 chapters of The First Tee, a program that creates facilities and provides access to golf with an emphasis on youngsters who may not have an opportunity to experience the game.

PGA teaching grants of $10,000 have been awarded to 17 First Tee Chapters. Eight First Tee Chapters received $5,000 PGA/Nicklaus teaching grants. The PGA and Jack Nicklaus partnered in 2001 to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified First Tee Chapters that use PGA members and apprentices for instruction.

"The goals of The First Tee reflect the mission of The PGA of America - to grow the game of golf," PGA of America President Jack Connelly said. "These grants, which we are proud to present in partnership with Jack Nicklaus, go far to make a difference in the lives of boys and girls. It helps give them the opportunity to enjoy the game of golf. At the same time, PGA Professionals are able to enrich the lives of many who may become the next generation of golfers."

The First Tee program uses The PGA's First Swing teaching curriculum, a benchmark program developed by The PGA Foundation in 1986. The First Swing teaching curriculum teaches youngsters basic golf skills through games and other fun activities. Since its introduction, more than a million juniors in all 50 states and 10 countries have been exposed to the First Swing curriculum.

PGA of America Teaching Grants ($10,000 each)

· The First Tee of Ft. Smith, Ark.
· The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District, Plymouth, Minn.
· The First Tee of Salina - Salina, Kan.
· The First Tee of St. Johns County, Elkton, Fla.
· The First Tee of Olympia, Wash.
· The First Tee of Minneapolis, Minn.
· The First Tee of Tulsa, Okla.
· The First Tee of Smyrna, Tenn.
· The First Tee of Northeastern Illinois
· The First Tee of Chattanooga, Tenn.
· The First Tee of Sacramento, Calif. (SAY Golf)
· The First Tee of Greater Columbus, Ohio
· The First Tee of Wisconsin - Noyes Park & Bridging The Gap (2)
· The Children's Course, Home of The First Tee of Gladstone, Ore.
· The First Tee of Hartford, Conn.
· The First Tee of Fore Hope - Galloway, Ohio

PGA of America/Jack Nicklaus Teaching Grants ($5,000 each)

· The First Tee of the Quad Cities - Davenport, Iowa
· The First Tee of Memphis, Tenn.
· The First Tee of Columbus, Ga.
· The First Tee of Trinity, Texas
· The First Tee of San Antonio, Texas
· The First Tee of Columbus, Ohio
· The First Tee of Knoxville - Beverly Park
· The First Tee of Knoxville - Concord Park