Colorado Springs, Colo. - The United States Golf Association (USGA) has awarded 143 grants totaling $2,650,935 to support golf programs across the nation for economically-disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. The grant funds will be used for instruction, golf course and range access, equipment, transportation and the construction of accessible golf facilities.

The USGA has awarded more than $62.5 million since the Association implemented the Grants Initiative, "For the Good of the Game," in 1997.

The USGA Grants Committee reviewed a record 160 applications at its May meeting. "The USGA is pleased that there has been a growing interest in the Grants Initiative," said USGA President Jim Vernon. "There are hundreds of organizations nationwide working to grow the game of golf for juniors and individuals with disabilities. We are proud to support these remarkable programs with USGA grant dollars."

 USGA-Supported Program Highlights 

Revelation Golf launched in 2005 with the mission of increasing the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual quality of life for children and adults with cancer or a physical disability, wounded veterans, and at-risk youth. The organization uses the game of golf to help participants become active members of the community. In 2007, the program reached nearly 500 participants through clinics and on-course activities throughout Illinois. Through the support of a USGA program grant, Revelation Golf will expand to reach an additional 150 participants and incorporate rehabilitation services along with golf lessons. The program works closely with Veterans Administration Hospitals throughout the state in order to serve injured military veterans and soldiers returning from Iraq.

 Saint Augustine's College (Raleigh, N.C.) 

Saint Augustine's College is a first-time USGA grant recipient. It operates the Meadowbrook Junior Golf Program. The program is at Meadowbrook Golf Club, a course founded specifically for African-Americans during the time of segregation. The program was launched at the beginning of 2008 and will serve 100 children in Raleigh during its first year of operation. Saint Augustine's College recently assumed operational responsibilities for the course and plans to implement this junior golf program in order to encourage local children to become involved in the game and grow from its values, while creating a lasting relationship with the course. Participants will have access to Meadowbrook Golf Club outside of normal programming hours for $2 per round.

 Tennessee Golf Foundation (Franklin, Tenn.) 

This USGA grant supports a unique initiative that will reach out to local military families. Approximately 48 kids from the Ft. Campbell military base will be given full scholarships to a golf camp this summer called "Screaming Eagles Week" at the Tennessee Golf Academy. The program provides instruction and playing opportunities. The Tennessee Golf Foundation feels it is important to give these kids the opportunity to take their minds off of the war and engage them in enriching golf activities. Many of the families on the base are single-parent households as more than 25,000 soldiers from Ft. Campbell have been deployed to Iraq. 

 Russian Jack Springs Junior Golf Association (Anchorage, Alaska) 

Russian Jack Springs Junior Golf Association was founded in 2005 and received its official chapter status as The First Tee of Alaska during that same year. The organization is only the second USGA-supported program in the state. The First Tee of Alaska operates junior golf programming at Russian Jack Springs Golf Course in Anchorage with the mission of impacting the lives of young people by providing programs that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. In 2007, during its first year of programming, The First Tee of Alaska served 400 children from the City of Anchorage. In 2008, the organization projects to grow significantly and reach 1,000 kids, including outreach to approximately 80 Special Olympics participants.

 USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History 

The United States Golf Association works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, the grants initiative has traditionally focused on programming for economically disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. The USGA Executive Committee has extended this grants initiative to 2013 to provide financial support and assistance to deserving golf programs. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA partners with national organizations to promote affordable and accessible facility development, course access, girls' golf and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the Grants office at (719) 471-4810 or visit the Supporting the Game section of the USGA Web site at www.usga.org .

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in this country and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the game's golfers and golf courses.

The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten additional USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, maintains an official Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $62.5 million since 1997 to programs that seek to grow the game. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org .

A complete list of programs receiving funding across the country, organized alphabetically by state: