Course to be the home of the "First Tee of Metropolitan New York"

ELMSFORD, N.Y.--On Friday, September 28, 2001, the license to operate Mosholu Golf Course and Driving Range in Bronx, NY, was obtained by the First Tee of Metropolitan New York ("FTMNY"). 

The FTMNY is a joint venture of the Metropolitan PGA and its Junior Golf Association, the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, and The First Tee. All three groups are charitable non-profit golf organizations dedicated to serving the game of golf and using golf as a vehicle to make a positive impact on the lives of young people.  Founded in1992, the MGA Foundation is the charitable arm of the MGA, the nation's second oldest golf organization.  The Met PGA is widely regarded as the top section of the PGA of America and The First Tee is a national organization supporting more then 100 junior golf facilities around the country.  Mosholu is the initial site of the national First Tee in Metropolitan New York.

At Mosholu, a New York City Parks property, the FTMNY plans to use the 9-hole golf course, driving range and practice areas as a "golf learning center" for minority and underprivileged young people.  In addition to teaching young people how to play golf, "life skills" programs will instill in young people the valuable lessons of honesty, respect, goal setting and responsibility that golf teaches. 

The junior golf initiatives will be focused on weekdays and "off-peak" hours so that public golfers will still have ready access to the golf course and all the facilities at Mosholu.  FTMNY is committed to improving the recreational golf experience for everyone that comes to Mosholu.  To that end, the organization plans to make significant improvements to the condition and playability of the golf course, as well as the overall practice and clubhouse facilities. Work has already begun to upgrade the course and grounds, and will continue on an on-going basis.

The FTMNY will work with young people from the local Bronx community and throughout the Metropolitan Area.  The organization has reached out to public schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, P.A.L., and other community groups, as well as the City Parks Foundation's Junior Golf Program, as sources of young people to involve in their initiatives. "Accessibility was a major concern in our search for a site, and Mosholu - a fully developed nine hole course just steps from a NYC subway stop and minutes from most major highways - made it the ideal location," noted MGA Foundation Executive Director Jay Mottola.  Charlie Robson, Executive Director of the Met PGA, stated "Each year we hope to expose literally thousands of young people to the game and its traditions while continuing to serve the golfing public. The junior golf initiatives at Mosholu will be a perfect compliment to our Golf-In-Schools Program and to the MGA Foundation's GOLFWORKS student intern program".

For more information on Mosholu Golf Course and Driving Range, home of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York, contact Jeanne McCooey @ 914-347-4653, Barry McLaughlin @ 914-347-2325 or visit the ”Places to Play” section on the MGA website: www.mgagolf.org or visit www.met.pga.com.