Monroe County + Genesee Valley Golf Course Project - Rochester, NY
In our mission to impact lives through the game of golf, the PGA of America REACH Foundation is committed to ensuring golf becomes more accessible. Through PGA Places To Play, we are creating new opportunities to support facilities and sustain affordable access to the game for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Funding for PGA Places To Play comes from donors across America who believe wealth shouldn't be a barrier to the game of golf. The program creates access through seed grants in community-based initiatives and PGA of America championship markets while supplementing the local expertise provided by PGA of America Golf Professionals and national programs like PGA Jr. League, PGA HOPE and PGA WORKS.
The Meadow Park Golf Course, a mainstay in the Tacoma and South Puget Sound community since 1915, is undergoing a renovation project to expand access to the game of golf within the surrounding community. The PGA Places To Play grant will go towards the creation of a 3-hole programming course plus a re-imagination plan that includes renovations of Championship 18-hole and Executive 9-hole golf courses, addition of full service, multi-level driving range, new program spaces, enhanced practice areas, modernized maintenance facilities, and an expanded parking lot. With a rich history dating back to 1915, Meadow Park, a 27-hole public golf facility owned by Metro Parks Tacoma, has been a beacon of inclusivity in the South Puget Sound community. The facility's vision centers on further establishing a community-based, world-class public golf course that is welcoming to all.
Seneca Golf Course has been a fixture in the Louisville area since 1934. Located in central Louisville, the Seneca Golf Course is a community hub for families, local businesses and golfers of all ages since 1934. The facility houses PGA of America programming such as PGA Jr. League; Drive, Chip and Putt; and a newly organized PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program. The donations will be used toward the Seneca Golf Course Improvement Project, which will cost $1.5 million in total for renovation of the par 3 course to optimize playability and access, the building of a new indoor practice facility, upgrading and modernizing the driving range facilities to accommodate increased use, and the creation of a new putting course to engage all types of golfers.
Midnight Golf has a proven track record of servicing inner-city Detroit with meaningful and sustainable programs that have impacted over 2,800+ students through the game of golf. Since 2001, the Michigan Section has supported Midnight Golf by providing golf instruction and financial support. With the renovation of the 30,000 square-foot building, more at-risk population will have an opportunity to learn the game and advance their future.
Through contributions from PGA Places to Play, Monroe County’s Genesee Valley Golf Course will build a 14,000 square-foot, fully synthetic turf short-game area designed to make the game more accessible to the surrounding community. Genesee Valley Golf Course is a 36-hole, municipally-owned and operated golf course located on the shores of the Genesee River in Rochester. Easily accessible, the golf course serves a diverse population and boasts 60,000 rounds of golf annually.
The Inspiration Golf Range is a multi-purpose, public facility and operated by the New Jersey Golf Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. The 27-bay teeing ground serves as the home site to support golf programming for youth, military Veterans and individuals with special needs. The PGA Places To Play donation will be used in-part to construct a roof over the bays as well as eco-friendly lights and heaters. Additionally, new drainage systems on property will enhance the teaching operation for PGA of America Golf Professionals.
The Clearview Legacy Foundation for Education, Preservation & Turfgrass Research was established to preserve the Clearview legacy and facilities for future generations. In its education, the foundation uses golf as a tool to reach youngsters, minorities, seniors, troubled individuals, women military Veterans, and those with mental and physical challenges. Clearview holds a rich history when it comes to providing access to the game of golf for minorities and innovation in turfgrass management so more can enjoy and love the game of golf.
In 2022, PGA Places To Play donated $250,000 to the City of Tulsa kick off a $2 million matching grants campaign. The campaign was designed to help bring the city-owned golf course back to competitive conditions and support PGA of America programming. The initial phase of work was completed at Page Belcher Golf Course where over 170 trees were removed and 6.5 acres of sod was installed. The City of Tulsa will also purchase a new irrigation pump station, remove trees and complete a re-sodding project at Mohawk Golf Course.
In 2022, PGA Places to Play donated $250,000 to City Swing to earmark for the construction of the City Swing Golf Truck. This interactive, mobile golf simulator travels the DMV introducing the game of golf to surrounding communities and has hosted over 10,000 visitors.
Through the work in West Palm Beach, The Park provided a great deal of inspiration to create 'Places to Play' as a pillar within the PGA of America REACH Foundation. The PGA of America REACH Foundation will look to use this model to give back and ensure golf is accessible to people everywhere.
“The motivation behind our ‘Places to Play’ program is simple – we want to help ensure communities throughout our country have a place to play for generations to come and that there are welcoming facilities to activate golf as a vehicle for changing and improving lives. The program revitalizes facilities that have historically enabled people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy the game – and the many physical and mental health benefits that come with it – for a lifetime.”
Seth Waugh
PGA of America CEO
To Support Access To Golf and PGA Places To Play, visit pgareach.org/donate.