MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: December 17, 1999

The Massachusetts Golf Association, New Bedford Parks and Recreation Department and the Dartmouth Sports Dome have teamed up to offer approximately 100 New Bedford youth a six week indoor golf camp to be held this winter. This program is sponsored by Fleet Boston and the Marion L. Decrow Memorial Foundation. PGA Golf Professionals Steve Demmer and John Desrocher, both of the Kittansett Club in Marion, MA., will staff the program.

The participants in this program will meet one day per week, starting, Friday, January 7th from 2 pm to 5 pm. Four programs will be offered initially, each for a six week period. Children participating in the program will be members of the New Bedford Boys and Girls Club and the Southeastern Massachusetts YWCA. Each six week program will have 20 participants. The indoor component of the program will end March 31st. Additional programs will be organized for the summer months.

The goal of the program is to not only provide golf instruction but to reinforce the virtues of self discipline, integrity and sportsmanship. Participants in the program will also learn of the golf related employment options available to them including; caddying, on course maintenance and pro shop assistance.

Throughout each six week program, the children will be watching a golf video produced by the United States Golf Association on the rules and etiquette called the "Spirit of the Game." This video will have a lasting impact. All participants will receive a rules of golf book compliments of the Massachusetts Golf Association. Participants in the program will have access to used equipment throughout the summer months to be used on various field trips to neighboring golf facilities in the area.

The MGA and the New Bedford Parks and Recreation Department will work together to provide affordable access for youths at the New Bedford Municipal Golf Course when construction is completed.

The Massachusetts Golf Association, Inc., a non profit organization founded in 1903, is dedicated to promoting and preserving the integrity and values of golf throughout the Commonwealth through service to its 340+ member clubs and 100,000+ member golfers, making it the seventh largest state/regional golf association in the country.