MGA: Massachusetts Golf Association Illustration Illustration

News Release

For Immediate Release: July 5, 2003

More than 175 children, ranging from 8 to 15 years old, were in attendance at Dennis Highlands Golf Course on Tuesday to take part in one of the nine MGA ForeKids summer golf clinics that will be held this summer at sites across the state. The participants were on hand to receive expert instruction from local PGA teaching professionals.

Three separate two-hour sessions were held during the day. At each session, the participants were exposed to four different stations where they were able to work on a specific area of their game. The four stations consisted of putting, chipping, short irons and drivers. Each child was able to work one-on-one with an instructor, where they learned about etiquette as well ways to improve their game.

The only thing better than the weather was the turnout of junior golfers.

"It was a beautiful day, and it was great to see so many kids and local professionals attend the event," said Derek Breau, MGA director of junior development. "It is wonderful to have so much support for junior golf. We thank all of the volunteers and instructors for their time and effort."

In addition to an assortment of refreshments, the participants were given the opportunity to win a brand new pair of New Balance sneakers in a putting contest.

"New Balance has been a great supporter of the ForeKids program and we appreciate their generosity," remarked Breau.

However, this is just the start of the ForeKids summer series. Clinics will be held all summer long in various locations around the state. The MGA launched this program in 1993 with the goal of providing children with the opportunity to learn life skill values through the game of golf. With the overwhelming success of the program, the clinics have been extended to a week-long experience for the children.

Each weeklong clinic provides golf course facility access, lunch, junior sized equipment and expert instruction from New England PGA and Connecticut Section PGA professionals - all at no cost to the participants. Since the ForeKids Golf Program's inception, over 20,000 children have been introduced to the game of golf.