Planting Seeds

MGA Foundation Hosts Junior Clinic at U.S. Amateur at Winged Foot

Mamaroneck, N.Y. - As part of its ongoing series of junior initiatives, the MGA Foundation conducted a junior golf clinic at Winged Foot Golf Club on Thursday, August 19^th. The clinic was sponsored by MetLife, which has a long history of supporting MGA Junior programs.

Fifty youngsters from the Theodore Young Community center in Greenburgh, NY, ranging in age form eight to fifteen, were greeted by the MGA Foundation's Operations Manager Lou Cutolo and MGA President Paul R. Dillon. After breaking up into groups, the youngsters were introduced to the fundamentals putting, chipping and the full swing by Winged Foot's legendary head golf professional Tom Nieporte and assistant professionals Bill Van Orman and Mike Durkin. The clinic was followed by lunch at the club and students were able to spend the afternoon at the U.S. Amateur watching the world's best amateurs battle on the West Course for one of the coveted spots in the quarterfinals.

Tom Nieporte, head professional at Winged Foot Golf Club, offers a tip on chipping to a youngster from the Theodore Young Community Center.

The U.S. Amateur Junior Clinic was the third one conducted this series, with earlier events held at the USGA Headquarters in New Jersey and Eisenhower Park on Long Island, the latter held in conjunction with the Champions Tour Long Island Classic and featuring Tour star Jim Thorpe. Snoopy is a regular attendee at the clinics.

MGA Foundation Junior clinics are just one of the Association's many junior initiatives, which include the GOLFWORKS Student Intern program, First Tee Programming and sites, Junior Championships, Caddie Academies and a host of other educational programs. The Foundation is in the midst of a five million dollar Capital Campaign, 'Golf Grows Here" to help make the game more affordable and accessible for everyone.

The Metropolitan Golf Association is an organization of more than 500 member clubs. It provides a wide range of services and programs, including a computerized handicap service, a first class tournament program with events for golfers of all ages and abilities, progressive and competitive insurance programs, dozens of annual publications, including an award-winning magazine, The Met Golfer, and a wide variety of educational seminars.