FAR HILLS, N.J. (July 10, 2009) – An enthusiastic group of 50 young golfers who participate in The First Tee of Essex County arrived at the USGA Golf House in Far Hills, N.J. on Tuesday, July 7th to participate in the year’s fourth MGA/MetLife Junior Clinic.

The day started off with a video presented by Bruce McBride of the USGA which reviewed highlights from the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. After the presentation, the group enjoyed lunch outside and was pleasantly surprised with an appearance by Snoopy, who greeted the youngsters and posed for pictures. 

The next stop was a tour of the USGA’s Equipment Testing Center where the students were intrigued by the technology and given demonstrations of some of the machines used to test new golf equipment on a daily basis. In addition, a guided tour was given of the USGA Museum and Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.

The museum houses a variety of famous golf artifacts, displays trophies from all 13 USGA championships, and follows the progression and evolution of the game of the golf.

The event was the fourth in a series of annual youth initiatives conducted by the MGA and MetLife. The fifth and final clinic is scheduled for Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J., site of this year’s Met Open. MetLife has been a partner of the MGA for more than 25 years and is the sponsor of eight MGA championships as well as the MGA Calendar of Competitions. MetLife has a long history of community service and supporting MGA Foundation junior golf initiatives.

For more information on MGA/MetLife Youth Clinics contact Riley McCarthy (rmccarthy@mgagolf.org) at 914-347-4653.