PGA of America, Jack Nicklaus Combine to Present Teaching Grants of $100,000 to 20 Chapters of The First Tee

The PGA and Jack Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified Chapters of The First Tee that use PGA Professionals and apprentices for instruction.

The PGA Foundation, in conjunction with golf legend Jack Nicklaus, has awarded teaching grants totaling $100,000 to 20 Chapters of The First Tee, representing 15 states.

The PGA and Nicklaus have partnered to create a $2 million endowment to provide teaching grants to certified Chapters of The First Tee that use PGA Professionals and apprentices for instruction.

To date, 103 of the 172 active Chapters of The First Tee nationwide have been recipients of either a PGA of America or Nicklaus/PGA teaching grant. The combined PGA and Nicklaus/PGA grants total $1.3 million.

"The Jack Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants are proven invaluable tools in reaching their respective communities," said PGA of America President Roger Warren. "These grants have enabled The First Tee to continue its momentum of growing the game by bringing more young people into golf."

The program continues to highlight The PGA of America¹s commitment to partner with its PGA Professionals to grow participation in golf.

"The PGA of America continues to try to grow the game of golf, and at the same time, The First Tee is trying to impact young lives," said Nicklaus. "These grants allow us to support the use of golf as a vehicle to positively influence thousands of boys and girls across America. I am very proud of what we have accomplished."

Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants totaling $100,000 were awarded to The First Tee Chapters in: California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.

"The Jack Nicklaus/PGA Teaching Grants allow The First Tee Chapters the opportunity to have a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of young people," said Joe Louis Barrow Jr., The First Tee executive director. "The support of The PGA of America and Jack Nicklaus has been an important contributor to the growth and success of The First Tee, since the organization was founded in 1997."

Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has opened 209 golf-learning facilities and has introduced the game of golf to more than 450,000 participants. The focus is to give young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values, such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The PGA Growth of the Game Program is one of a number of initiatives administered by The PGA of America through its PGA Foundation. The PGA Foundation was established in 1954 as the Association¹s charitable arm to provide resources and professional expertise to make golf more accessible to all segments of the population. Today, the PGA Foundation helps promote interest and participation in the game through research, education, community golf initiatives and growth of the game grants. For more on The PGA Foundation, visit www.pgafoundation.com, or contact The PGA Foundation at (561) 624-7612.

The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.