The Illinois PGA :: Illinois PGA Foundation

Sun., August 1, 2010

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ILLINOIS PGA FOUNDATION

Outreach Programs

Teaching Life's Lessons Through Golf
The game of golf is about more than a long drive, a straight putt or a solid swing. The Illinois PGA Foundation believes that the game of golf teaches life's lessons that parallel our lives off the course. Through the IPGA Foundation's youth outreach golf programs, our members serve as role models and teachers for those children whose lives have often been far removed from these lessons. It is our hope that through the Foundation's outreach programs, these young people - who may not have access to this great sport - will benefit from the skills, traditions and lessons that the game of golf offers.

The Chicago Park District Junior Golf Program

In 2001, the Chicago Chapter of the First Tee developed three new facilities at Douglas Park, Marquette Park and South Shore Golf Course providing inter-city juniors access to the game. In conjunction with Kemper Sports Management and the Chicago Park District, the Illinois PGA Foundation provided instructional and playing opportunities to nearly 18,000 children.

Maryville Academy

The Illinois PGA Foundation's most developed collaboration is its partnership with Maryville Academy, a home for orphaned and abused children. The program provides a unique combination of golf instruction and social skills training. Through a year-round instructional program, the Illinois PGA provides professional golf instruction and equipment to Maryville residents. In 2001, Maryville students were able to participate in close to 100 events and clinics.

An important component of the Maryville Golf Academy is the successful caddie program initiated by the Illinois PGA Foundation in 1992. Under the direction of PGA Professional Juan Espejo, the caddie program provides opportunities for new golfers to assume roles as caddies at golf clubs around Chicago including Evanston Golf Club, Sunset Ridge Country Club and Rolling Green Country Club. Maryville Academy also has a club repair center on site, where donated clubs are custom cut to junior lengths, regripped and the lie angle adjusted to ensure a more enjoyable start for the young golfer. The shop is operated by the children and is monitored by both a PGA member and a Professional Club Makers Society Member to ensure safety and quality standards. By developing golf, social and professional skills, the Maryville Golf Program is preparing our youth for successful futures.

Illinois Junior Golf Association

Providing playing opportunities to over 2,500 junior golfers from throughout the state, the Illinois Junior Golf Association administers an extensive schedule of tournaments and clinics for children ages 7-18. Since 1991 the Illinois PGA Foundation has provided more than $600,000 in financial and administrative support to the IJGA, while helping guide their growth from a regional organization into a true statewide golf association. The IPGA Foundation is proud to support the IJGA as it furthers its mission of developing tomorrow's players by introducing more people into the game of golf.

Scholarship Fund

The Illinois PGA Foundation administers two separate scholarship funds: The Alice Meyer Brown Scholarship and the Illinois PGA Foundation Scholarship.

The Alice Meyer Brown Scholarship was established in 1994 through a grant from the Meyer Family Foundation. The Alice Meyer Brown Scholarship seeks to encourage and promote the attainment of higher educational goals for graduating high school women who have continued to demonstrate academic excellence in the classroom, while accomplishing outstanding achievements on the golf course. To date more than $65,000 in grants have been awarded to deserving female scholars/golfers. To apply for a scholarship, please download the following form or contact the Illinois PGA Foundation to receive an application.

The Illinois PGA Foundation Scholarship Fund seeks to encourage and promote the attainment of higher education among the families and employees of Illinois PGA members and Illinois residents enrolled in the Professional Golf Management program. Since 1991, the Illinois PGA Foundation has awarded over $40,000 in educational grants.

Illinois PGA Foundation Scholarship Application Form