USGA Awards $5.1 Million In Grants In 2008, Assisting 230,000 Individuals 

USGA Corporate Partners Assist In The Charitable Efforts 

January 26, 2009
E-mail address: mediarelations@usga.org
 

Far Hills, N.J. - The United States Golf Association announced today that it awarded $5.1 million to support the development of 230 golf programs through its "For the Good of the Game" Grants Initiative during the 2008 calendar year. These funds aided in the effort to open opportunities through the game of golf to more than 230,000 youths and individuals with disabilities. 

The USGA has allocated $63 million over the 12-year existence of this unique initiative, making the game more affordable and accessible to underserved populations. USGA funding helps these programs pay for professional instruction, access to golf courses and practice ranges, equipment, transportation, alternative golf facilities and other essential aspects of the game. 

"The USGA is very pleased to help support so many young people and individuals with disabilities to play golf and experience the many values inherent in the game," said USGA President James F. Vernon.  "It is inspiring to see hundreds of non-profit organizations around the country utilizing the game to fulfill their missions."

A founding partner of The First Tee, the USGA continues to be the largest financial supporter of the network.  In 2008, the USGA distributed $2.1 million among 86 local chapters and The First Tee Home Office, bringing total USGA support of The First Tee efforts to more than $24 million since 1997.  Of funds awarded to local chapters in 2008, $500,000 was made possible through The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS), a corporate partner of the USGA.

"RBS is a proud supporter of the USGA and even more pleased to be able to support some of the Association's many charitable endeavors," said Stephen Moir, head of community investment for RBS.  "We believe strongly in the value of introducing young people to the game of golf and look forward to continuing our work with the USGA to make it happen in various ways around the country."

Beyond contributions to The First Tee, RBS support continued the development of three USGA direct charitable activities in 2008: 

Two other USGA corporate partners, American Express and Lexus, also contributed to the charitable efforts of the Association in 2008.  American Express supported $150,000 in USGA grants in the 2008 Open Championships markets.  American Express also made possible a $100,000 contribution to support the American Junior Golf Association's ACE Grant program. ACE Grants enable young men and women aspiring to earn golf scholarships the opportunity to experience top-flight junior golf opportunities regardless of their financial means. 

Through support from Lexus, the USGA awarded $200,000 to the National Alliance for Youth Sports to help fund various Hook A Kid On Golf programs. These programs, which include instruction on the Rules of Golf, etiquette, and the values of the game, serve as a gateway for juniors to participate in the game and develop as regular participants.

The entire USGA 2008 Annual Report , including a message from President Jim Vernon and the organizational financial summary, can be viewed online.

USGA Grants Initiative: A Capsule History 

The USGA works to make the game of golf affordable and accessible. Since 1997, the USGA Grants Initiative has provided more than $63 million to in excess of 1,000 programs that serve economically-disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities. More than 2.2 million participants have benefited from these programs. Beyond its Grants Initiative, the USGA operates several direct charitable activities and partners with national organizations to promote accessible facility development, affordable course access, opportunities for girls in golf and initiatives for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on the USGA Grants Initiative, contact the USGA Grants and Fellowship Department at (719 471-4810 or visit the Supporting the Game section of the USGA Web site.

About the USGA 

The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world'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, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $63 million over 12 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org .

A complete list of the 230 programs (alphabetical by state) receiving funding across the country: