Junior Golf
ForeKids Golf Program:
Founded in 1993 ForeKids Golf Program - History
The MGA ForeKids Golf Program began in 1992 when Tiger Woods, in Boston to
compete in the USGA Junior Amateur Championship, conducted a one-day instructional
clinic for area children at Boston's William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin
Park.
What began as a small clinic of 20 children grew to hundreds by week's end. The strong participation levels convinced the MGA that its mission to bring golf and the game's merits and values to the younger generation was not only on target but sorely needed. The ForeKids Summer Clinics expanded to include annual programs in Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Lowell and Brockton.
Although the program was reaching out to 3,000 children each summer, the MGA realized a sustained commitment was needed to retain its ever-maturing youth constituency. As a result, the MGA launched its winter continuing education program in 1998 at Springfield College. Due to the overwhelming success of the program, additional clinics were launched in Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, New Bedford, Lowell and Worcester. Many of these continuing education programs serve as the primary after-school program for local-area youth groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs. In addition, the ForeKids Golf Program has been able to help all young children as an equal number of girls and boys participate in the program.
Mentoring also became an integral part of the program. Hundreds of volunteers ranging from PGA Professionals and golf course owners to aspiring college students from MIT, Harvard University, Salem State College, Springfield College and Suffolk University have given their time to the ForeKids Golf Program.