MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: February 1, 2000

 The Massachusetts Golf Association, The Golf School at the Radisson Hotel and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department have teamed up to offer 20 Boston area youth a six-week indoor golf camp to be held this winter. This program is recognized by the USGA Foundation and sponsored by Fleet Boston Financial. The teaching staff includes PGA Golf Professionals Scott Allen and Bob Rundlett.

The participants in this program will meet one day per week, starting Saturday, January 29th from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Two programs will be offered initially, each for a six-week period, culminating on April 22nd. Children participating in the program have all been accepted into the acclaimed Black and White on Green Caddie Scholar Program. Every current Caddie Scholar was invited to participate. Each six-week program will have 10 participants based on the correspondence we received. A graduation ceremony on May 6th at Franklin Park GC and an introductory golf tournament on May 20th are scheduled for all the winter program participants.

The goal of the program is to provide golf instruction and give the Caddie Scholars a better understanding of the rules and etiquette of the game. Ultimately, this program is intended to create new junior golfers and well educated caddies. To ensure proper etiquette on the golf course this summer, the golf professionals will 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. For the past eight years, the MGA and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department have made a serious investment in junior golf. We hope to see all our efforts come to fruition in the years to come.

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" and another on the principals of caddying produced by the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, Inc. The videos should have a lasting impact. All participants will receive a rules of golf book compliments of the Massachusetts Golf Association. The MGA and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will work together to provide new caddying opportunities at several Boston area golf courses for the graduates of this program over the summer months. Not only will the scheduled field trips create new employment opportunities, but should lead to a number of new mentoring relationships.