NJSGA Presents Grant to LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark

The New Jersey State Golf Association annually provides grants to a number of local youth-related organizations through its Youth Foundation. These organizations, both golf and non-golf related, are recognized for their outstanding contributions to children throughout New Jersey.

The LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark was one of 12 worthy charities that received a grant from the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Youth Foundation. The check was presented to Beverly Harrison of Girls Golf by NJSGA president Bill Frese, and Jay MacNeill of the Youth Foundation.

The only national initiative of its kind, Girls Golf is administered through a partnership between The LPGA Foundation and the United States Golf Association (USGA), and is aimed at introducing girls to the game of golf and empowering them with confidence, friendships, and life skills.
The annual New Jersey State Golf Association Youth Foundation Pro-Am, held on July 10, 2017 at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson, site of the 97th State Open, attracted 26 foursomes who contributed donations to benefit youth from around the state.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a donation by the NJSGA Youth Foundation to the Jackson, N.J., Veterans Memorial Gardens; Metedeconk National Golf Club’s designated charity, for $5,000.

The Youth Foundation Pro-Am is the foundation’s biggest one-day fund-raiser. Combined with brisk sales of an annual raffle, the Youth Foundation was able to bequeath nearly $32,000 to 12 deserving youth-oriented charities in 2017.

“The importance of the Youth Foundation as a whole is our ability as our core principle to help worthy youth organizations with our grants around the State of New Jersey,” said Frank O’Brien, chairman of the NJSGA Youth Foundation.

Throughout its 20-year history, Girls Golf has empowered a total of more than 300,000 girls through golf — now impacting 50,000 more young women each year. More than 250 Girls Golf programs are operated by local site directors and golf professionals in communities across the country. These program directors (along with the assistance of staff, coaches, and/or volunteers) coordinate golf clinics, professional instruction, outings, competitive events, and social activities for their members.

In 2006, the NJSGA Youth Foundation was a founding partner in The First Tee of Essex County, helping construct its new facility in Weequahic Park in Newark. This program has been an enormous success for Newark’s inner-city youth, offering educational programs that promote character development and life-enriching values through the game of golf.

Beginning in 2010, the Youth Foundation broadened its support to reach additional organizations in New Jersey that strive to introduce children to the game of golf.

The Youth Foundation is continuing in its efforts to locate charities worthy of grants. Interested parties should fill out an application available on the www.NJSGA.org website.

With proceeds raised from the 2017 Youth Foundation Pro-Am, the primary fundraiser for youth programs, and the annual raffle, the NJSGA Youth Foundation provided grants to the following non-profit organizations that help the NJSGA further this mission:

• Veterans Memorial Garden, Jackson, N.J. (MNGC designated charity)
• Jersey Shore Council of the Boys Scouts of America
• New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (sponsorship of state high school championships; awarding of scholarship to a boy and girl golfer)
• ARC of Essex County
• LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark
• The First Tee of Essex County
• The First Tee of Raritan Valley
• The First Tee of Monmouth and Ocean counties
• CYO of Mercer County
• Par Fore of Kean University, Union, N.J.
• John Shippen Youth Golf Academy
• Horizon High School, Livingston, N.J.