The Illinois PGA :: Illinois PGA Foundation

Wed., February 22, 2012

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A look at Illinois PGA Professionals and their community-based efforts away from the golf course



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ILLINOIS PGA FOUNDATION

Community Programs

GolfWorks Illinois

Golfworks Illinois GolfWorks Illinois is an internship program for Illinois high school and college students to develop job and communication skills by learning the business side of the golf industry. Scholarship opportunities are available.

About:
The Illinois PGA Foundation’s GolfWorks Illinois is a vocational development program for Illinois high school and college students that promotes learning through hands-on work experience in the golf industry. Working together with local golf facilities and youth golf organizations, GolfWorks Illinois will benefit participants in the following ways:

Experiential Learning – A meaningful work experience via an 8-10 week internship that provides career exploration and professional skill development.
Service Learning – Promoting good citizenship and the goodwill of the game participants will take part in a golf-related community service project.
Classroom Learning – Encouraging the attainment of higher education, high school and college participants alike can apply for financial assistance through the Illinois PGA Foundation’s Scholarship Fund that includes awards for industry pursuits such as Professional Golf Management and Turfgrass Science as well as merit-based via a GolfWorks Illinois scholarship.

The Illinois PGA Foundation started GolfWorks Illinois in 2010 and was inspired by the success of several educational programs, including the New York Metropolitan Golf Foundation’s Golfworks program, and has a charitable purpose that ties in closely to the PGA of America’s motto of “Experts in the game and business of golf.” Through GolfWorks Illinois, the Foundation brings together PGA Professionals and industry leaders to be mentors and provide the next generation an opportunity to learn the business side of golf, give back to the community and earn financial assistance towards college tuition.

The Illinois PGA Foundation is partnering with the University of Illinois Sports & Recreation Department to study the impact of the program on its participants and make recommendations for curriculum enhancements. To read more about this partnership and findings from 2010, please click here.

The First Tee

The First Tee is a youth development initiative of the World Golf Foundation with nearly 200 chapters located throughout the United States and in five international locations. It is supported by golf’s major organizations including the Master’s Tournament, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Locally, there are seven chapters of The First Tee located in Illinois:

Illinois PGA members are actively involved with chapters located in their communities assisting with instruction, fundraising and as board members. The Illinois PGA Foundation maintains a long-standing relationship with The First Tee of Greater Chicago dating back to 2000 when KemperSports founded the chapter. At the time the Foundation’s community efforts were focused in Chicago’s Jackson Park neighborhood and became re-aligned with The First Tee to grow golf and character education programs to young people throughout the entire city.

Today, The First Tee of Greater Chicago’s administrative operations are conducted from the Illinois Section PGA office and shares employees and administrative resources with the Illinois PGA Foundation. Working together the two foundations are making a positive impact in the lives of young people throughout Greater Chicago. Further information on The First Tee of Greater Chicago can be found by clicking here.