For The Kids: USGA's The First Tee Support 'Invaluable'


January 4, 2006

By , USGA

Far Hills, N.J. -- The announcement came eight years ago at a highly recognizable New York City location. PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem as well as former U.S. President George Bush, Earl Woods (Tiger's father), USGA President Judy Bell, 1982 U.S. Open champion Tom Watson and 1981 U.S. Women's Open winner Pat Bradley attended. Dignitaries from New York, including Mayor Rudy Gulliani, also came.

So what was all the hoopla in Central Park about? Why would all these luminaries gather for breakfast at the world-renowned Tavern on the Green restaurant and dinner at the Plaza Hotel? Why did they all jump on a private plane the next day to make another announcement in Detroit, then make another presentation at a gathering in ?

Former USGA President Judy Bell, above, and current USGA Executive Director David Fay were two key figures instrumental in the Association's financial assistance to The First Tee program. (USGA Photo Archives)

The World Golf Foundation, an organization comprised of all the allied associations including the USGA, had decided to create a junior initiative that would offer affordable access to those individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to golf. The goal was to build 100 golf training facilities by the year 2000. The facilities could be three, six or nine holes, but had to include a practice area.

With all the allied golf associations on board, The First Tee initiative appeared to be a slam dunk.

The USGA didn't hesitate to become involved. The First Tee's mission matched the USGA Foundation's philosophy of providing golf opportunities for disadvantaged youth.

So at the 1997 October meeting of the Grants Committee in Colorado Springs, Colo., they decided to commit $3 million over the next three years to The First Tee. It was all part of the USGA's "For the Good of the Game" initiative to pledge $50 million over a 10-year period to provide affordable access to disadvantaged youth and to those players with disabilities.

And when it came to The First Tee, the USGA stepped into the batter's box first.

"We were the first organization to step up to the microphone," said Bell, who is now the Association's consulting director for the Grants Initiative and Fellowship Program.

The other allied associations - the PGA Tour, PGA of America, LPGA and Augusta National Golf Club -- were also part of the initial support team. However, when The First Tee has needed financial support, the USGA has been the leader in the clubhouse and remains so today. While the PGA Tour has certainly been a significant contributor ($14.6 million), the USGA has donated more than $16.5 million, $12.25 million of which has been given directly to individual chapters or facilities through various grants.

TFT also has a total of 31 trustees who support the organization through corporate or personal donations.

Submit application before grant meeting deadline.

USGA Fellows conduct site visits and helps applicant with paper work and prepares an executive summary.

USGA Grants Committee meets three times a year.

USGA Fellows present applications in their region to the Committee.

USGA Grants Committee recommends the amount to be given, the length of the grant as well as the terms such as matching grant, challenge grants or an outright grant. Any special requirements are included in the official letter and the terms and conditions.

Plans are in motion for a check presentation usually given by a USGA volunteer and possibly a media release.

Next phase is compliance. USGA Fellows are in touch every month of USGA Grant with the point person or local champion of each active grant in their region. The contact is made by a site visit, e-mail or phone.

A final report from the grant recipient is due 15 days after the end of the grant term.

The First Tee chapters that apply for USGA grants are processed through the grant cycle just like any other non-profit organizations. The cycle looks like this:

The initial $3 million USGA pledge - $1 million in each of the first three years - was used to assist in the start-up and organization of the program. But after the first year, the national grants were targeted for chapters and not overhead costs. Over the past five years, the USGA has given $250,000 annually to the national organization, while continuing to fund individual chapters or facilities as grant requests come into the office in Colorado Springs.

Those dollars are used to construct facilities (practice ranges, short course, putting greens, etc.), and fund instruction as well as playing opportunities for the participants.

"The First Tee would not have been possible without the support of the Oversight Partners, especially that of the USGA," said Finchem.  "Not only did the USGA support our start-up efforts, but their independent support of The First Tee Chapters has proved invaluable to their success.  The grants provided to The First Tee by the USGA have truly been for the good of the game."

So far, USGA monies have helped fund 126 The First Tee chapters. That represents 71 percent of the total number of The First Tee chapters in existence. In some cases, these grants were awarded prior to the perspective organizations or programs becoming The First Tee chapters.

The First Tee currently has 225 facilities. of The First Tee said that figure should reach 250-plus by the end of 2005.

 "All of The First Tee chapters operate independently," said Bell. "The USGA Grants Committee evaluates each request based on need and the merits of the chapter applying. We have a finite number of dollars to give each year and we try to give it to those organizations that have the best potential to bring the game to those who might not have the opportunity to play."

In the last four years, a total of $7.16 million has been awarded to The First Tee chapters through USGA grants.

But the true measure of any such initiative is individual success stories along with healthy growth. The First Tee has gone from just a handful of chapters to 209 in 41 states and four countries. An estimated 450,000 kids participated in TFT programs in 2005.

The First Tee also is involved in bringing the game to public school physical education classes. Participation in TFT National School programs has risen from 50,000 students in 130 schools in eight communities in 2003-04 to 300,000 students in 800 schools in more than 50 communities this academic year.

Perhaps one of the best examples of a TFT chapter is The First Tee of Greater Sacramento, formerly known as SAY-Golf, in Sacramento, Calif., headed by and former USGA Women's Committee volunteer Karen Dedman. Today, The First Tee of Greater Sacramento serves more than 5,000 junior golfers annually and was honored at the 2005 National The First Tee Annual Meeting as the model for other chapters.

The Little Linker pre-teen junior program was the first of the 25 TFTGS programs to receive a grant from the USGA in 1983 ($5,000). Since that time, TFTGS and SAY-Golf were granted funds for the California Eagle Special Olympics Program (1985), the Swing Club for the Blind, Project Gain and the American Stroke Association disability programs.

Under The First Tee of Greater Sacramento umbrella, more than 400 citizens with disabilities are served annually. And the USGA remains the largest contributor to TFTGS with grants totaling $307,000 since that first check 22 years ago. Since 1983, SAY-Golf and TFTGS has served 50,000 junior golfers.

"Our relationship with the USGA is invaluable," said Dedman, president of the TFTGS. "We are continually grateful to the USGA for its confidence in us to serve our community needs. This support has enabled us to continue to work for the youth and disabled, and to continually look at new ways in which to help our community."

is a staff writer for the USGA. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.