USGA Grants Benefit 51 First Tee Chapters in 2020

The USGA has provided more than $26 million in funding to First Tee since 1997

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Aug. 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 Chapter USGA Championship Host Communities and Supporting USGA Allied Golf Associations
First Tee — Aiken 2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Carolinas Golf Association
First Tee — Central Arkansas Arkansas State Golf Association
First Tee — Central Iowa Iowa Golf Association
First Tee — Central Mississippi Mississippi Golf Association
First Tee — Central Washington 2020 U.S. Amateur
First Tee — Coachella Valley 2021 U.S. Open, Southern California Golf Association
First Tee — Connecticut 2020 U.S. Open, 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Connecticut State Golf Association
First Tee — Eastern Michigan 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur, Golf Association of Michigan
First Tee — Fresno Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — Greater Austin Texas Golf Association
First Tee — Greater El Paso Texas Golf Association
First Tee — Greater Philadelphia 2020 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, Golf Association of Philadelphia
First Tee — Greater Portland 2020 U.S. Amateur, Oregon Golf Association
First Tee — Greater Richmond 2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur, Virginia State Golf Association
First Tee — Greater Sacramento 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — Greater Trenton 2020 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 Ranch 2020 U.S. Girls’ Junior, Colorado Golf Association
First Tee — Howard County 2020 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Maryland State Golf Association
First Tee — Indiana Indiana Golf Association
First Tee — Louisville Kentucky Golf Association
First Tee — Lowcountry 2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur
First Tee — Massachusetts Mass. Golf Association
First Tee — Metropolitan New York 2020 U.S. Open, 2020 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, Metropolitan Golf Association
First Tee — Mid-Michigan Golf Association of Michigan
First Tee — Monterey County 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — New Hampshire New Hampshire Golf Association
First Tee — Northwest Florida Florida State Golf Association
First Tee — Omaha Nebraska Golf Association
First Tee — Pine Mountain Kentucky Golf Association
First Tee — San Diego 2021 U.S. Open, Southern California Golf Association
First Tee — San Joaquin (Calif.) 2021 U.S. Women’s Open
First Tee — Siouxland Iowa Golf Association
First Tee — Tennessee Tennessee Golf Association
First Tee — Piney Woods Texas Golf Association
First Tee — Phoenix Arizona Golf Association
First Tee — Pikes Peak 2020 U.S. Girls’ Junior, Colorado Golf Association
First Tee — Roanoke Valley 2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur, Virginia State Golf Association
First Tee — San Francisco 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — San Juan County, N.M. Sun County Golf Association
First Tee — Sandhills Carolinas Golf Association
First Tee — Silicon Valley 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — South Dakota South Dakota Golf Association
First Tee — Tri-Valley 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, Northern California Golf Association
First Tee — Triad Carolinas Golf Association
First Tee — Twin Cities 2020 U.S. Junior Amateur, Minnesota Golf Association
First Tee — Upstate 2020 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, Carolinas Golf Association
First Tee — Virginia Blue Ridge 2020 U.S. Mid-Amateur
First Tee — West Michigan 2020 U.S. Senior Amateur, Golf Association of Michigan
First Tee — West Virginia West Virginia Golf Association